SELF-PUNCHING SWIVEL ANCHOR AND METHOD FOR KNOTLESS FIXATION OF TISSUE

• US 20080208253A1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Dreyfuss, Peter J., Sodeika, John A.
• Application Number:
  US12/043,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208253A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/232
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0408 Rivets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0438 slotted, i.e. having a longitudinal slot for enhancing their elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor

Abstract

A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel anchor having a rotatable implant is used to capture suture for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. The implant may be provided with a conical metal tip which is self-punching and avoids the need for pre-drilling a hole in bone. The implant includes a closed aperture to allow free sliding of a suture strand. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the implant.

Claims

1. A method of tissue fixation comprising:

providing a suture;

securing the suture to the tissue to be fixated; and

anchoring the suture into the bone socket using a swivel implant and a fixation device, thereby providing tissue fixation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixation device is an interference screw or a plug.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the swivel implant has a conical portion terminating at a pointed tip at its most distal end.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the swivel implant has a closed aperture at its distal end.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of capturing the suture attached to the graft with the swivel implant.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of capturing the suture further comprises passing the suture through a closed aperture of the swivel implant.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the closed aperture has an eyelet configuration.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of preloading the fixation device on a driver and, subsequently, providing the swivel implant at a distal end of the driver.

9. A suture anchor comprising:

an anchor body; and

an anchor tip rotatably attached to the anchor body.

10. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the anchor tip has a closed aperture.

11. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the anchor tip is a metal tip.

12. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the suture anchor is configured to allow rotational insertion without causing excessive twisting and knotting of a suture captured in the anchor tip.

13. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the anchor tip is configured to capture a suture.

14. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the anchor body has a cylindrical configuration.

15. The suture anchor of claim 9, wherein the anchor tip is detachable.

16. The suture anchor of claim 9, further comprising a fixation device for securing the suture anchor in bone.

17. The suture anchor of claim 16, wherein the fixation device is a cannulated interference screw or a plug.