METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING THE FIXATION OF BONE AND SOFT TISSUE ANCHORS

• US 20100016893A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary S. Fanton
• Original Assignee: Gary S. Fanton
• Inventors: Fanton, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US12/398,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20100016893A1
• 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 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0429 the barbs being expanded by a mechanical mechanism which also locks them in the expanded state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0456 Surface features on the anchor, e.g. ribs increasing friction between the suture and the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures

Abstract

Apparatus for enhancing the fixation of an anchor in a body part, wherein the body part comprises an interior portion and an exterior surface, and wherein the anchor is disposed within the interior portion of the body part, the apparatus comprising:

• • a fixation enhancement plug for disposition within the body part, wherein the fixation enhancement plug is disposed between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part, and further wherein the fixation enhancement plug is configured to block the anchor from exiting the exterior surface of the body part.

A method for enhancing the fixation of an anchor in a body part, wherein the body part comprises an interior portion and an exterior surface, and wherein the anchor is disposed within the interior portion of the body part, the method comprising:

• • deploying a fixation enhancement plug within the body part so that the fixation enhancement plug is disposed between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part, so that the fixation enhancement plug blocks the anchor from exiting the exterior surface of the body part.

Claims

1. Apparatus for enhancing the fixation of an anchor in a body part, wherein the body part comprises an interior portion and an exterior surface, and wherein the anchor is disposed within the interior portion of the body part, the apparatus comprising:

a fixation enhancement plug for disposition within the body part, wherein the fixation enhancement plug is disposed between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part, and further wherein the fixation enhancement plug is configured to block the anchor from exiting the exterior surface of the body part.

2. A method for enhancing the fixation of an anchor in a body part, wherein the body part comprises an interior portion and an exterior surface, and wherein the anchor is disposed within the interior portion of the body part, the method comprising:

deploying a fixation enhancement plug within the body part so that the fixation enhancement plug is disposed between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part, so that the fixation enhancement plug blocks the anchor from exiting the exterior surface of the body part.

3. A system for anchoring suture to a body part, wherein the body part comprises an interior portion and an exterior surface, the system comprising:

an anchor having at least one length of suture extending therefrom, wherein the anchor is configured to be disposed within the interior portion of the body part so that the suture extends from the anchor, through the intervening portions of the body part, and exits the exterior surface of the body part; and

a fixation enhancement plug for disposition within the body part, wherein the fixation enhancement plug is disposed between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part, and further wherein the fixation enhancement plug is configured to block the anchor from exiting the exterior surface of the body part.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the fixation enhancement plug comprises a pre-manufactured device.

5. A system according to claim 3 wherein the pre-manufactured device comprises screw threads.

6. A system according to claim 3 wherein the pre-manufactured device comprises an expandable structure.

7. A system according to claim 3 wherein the pre-manufactured device comprises wings.

8. A system according to claim 3 wherein the fixation enhancement plug comprises a flowable mass which is solidified in-situ.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the flowable mass comprises at least one from the group consisting of epoxy, glue and cement.

10. A system according to claim 3 further comprising a second fixation enhancement plug disposed between the fixation enhancement plug and the exterior surface of the body part.

11. A system according to claim 3 wherein the body part comprises bone.

12. A system according to claim 3 wherein the body part comprises tissue other than bone.

13. A method for anchoring suture to a body part, wherein the body part comprises an interior portion and an exterior surface, the method comprising:

providing a system comprising;

an anchor having at least one length of suture extending therefrom, wherein the anchor is configured to be disposed within the interior portion of the body part so that the suture extends from the anchor, through the intervening portions of the body part, and exits the exterior surface of the body part; and

a fixation enhancement plug for disposition within the body part, wherein the fixation enhancement plug is disposed between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part, and further wherein the fixation enhancement plug is configured to block the anchor from exiting the exterior surface of the body part;

deploying the anchor in the interior portion of the body part; and

deploying the fixation enhancement plug within the body part, between the anchor and the exterior surface of the body part.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the fixation enhancement plug comprises a pre-manufactured device.

15. A system according to claim 13 wherein the pre-manufactured device comprises screw threads.

16. A system according to claim 13 wherein the pre-manufactured device comprises an expandable structure.

17. A system according to claim 13 wherein the pre-manufactured device comprises wings.

18. A system according to claim 13 wherein the fixation enhancement plug comprises a flowable mass which is solidified in-situ.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the flowable mass comprises at least one from the group consisting of epoxy, glue and cement.

20. A system according to claim 13 further comprising a second fixation enhancement plug disposed between the fixation enhancement plug and the exterior surface of the body part.

21. A system according to claim 13 wherein the body part comprises bone.

22. A system according to claim 13 wherein the body part comprises tissue other than bone.