KNOTLESS SUTURE ANCHOR

• US 20110264140A1
• Filed: 10/21/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Mitek Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Sengun, Mehmet Ziya, Lizardi, Jose E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,613,756 B2
• 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 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/042 plastically deformed during insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0424 the separate member staying in the anchor after placement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0425 the anchor or the separate member comprising threads, e.g. a set screw in the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0432 the separate member staying in the anchor after placement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0433 the anchor or the separate member comprising threads, e.g. a set screw or a worm gear for moving spreading members
• 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 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0446 Means for attaching and blocking the suture in the suture anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor

Abstract

A suture anchor is disclosed having an outer body with an axial bore which receives and inner body for rotation. Suture passes between the inner body and outer body and rotation of the inner body wraps the suture thereabout locking the suture thereto. Rotation of the inner body also effects radial expansion of at least a portion of the outer body to engage to anchor into a bone hole.

Claims

1. A suture anchor comprising:

an outer body having a distal end a proximal end and an axial bore therethrough;

an inner body receivable within the outer body; and

a suture limb captured between the inner body and the outer body by being wrapped around the inner body.

2. A suture anchor according to claim 1 wherein the inner body and the outer body are formed of a bioabsorbable material.

3. A suture anchor according to claim 2 wherein the inner body and outer body are formed of PLGA.

4. A suture anchor according to claim 1 wherein the inner body and outer body are threaded together.

5. A suture anchor according to claim 4 configured such that as the inner body is moved toward the proximal end of the outer body the proximal end of the outer body expands outwardly radially.

6. A suture anchor according to claim 1 wherein the suture limb is wrapped around the inner body at least two times.

7. A suture anchor according to claim 6 wherein the suture limb is wrapped around the inner body at least five times.

8. A suture anchor according to claim 6 wherein the inner body comprises at least one tab extending outwardly radially whereby to effect wrapping of the suture about the inner body upon rotation of the inner body.

9. A suture anchor according to claim 4 wherein the inner body has a distal end and a proximal end and wherein the inner body proximal has outer threads which mate with inner threads on the proximal end of the outer body.

10. A suture anchor according to claim 9 and further comprising an inserter having a distal end which mates with the proximal end of the inner body and which has outer inserter threads engageable with the inner threads on the outer body.

11. A suture anchor according to claim 10 wherein the outer body has a first configuration in which at least a portion thereof is radially contracted inwardly and a second configuration in which the portion is radially expanded outwardly, and wherein when the outer inserter threads are engaged into the outer body inner threads it holds the portion in the second configuration.

12. A suture anchor according to claim 9 wherein the outer body has a first configuration in which at least a portion thereof is radially contracted inwardly and a second configuration in which the portion is radially expanded outwardly, and wherein when the outer threads on the inner body are engaged into the outer body inner threads it holds the portion in the second configuration.

13. A suture anchor according to claim 12 wherein a naturally relaxed position of the portion is in the second configuration.

14. A suture anchor according to claim 1 wherein the suture limb passes into a space formed between the inner body and the outer body at their proximal ends, passes out of the space at their distal ends and then passes proximally along an outer surface of the outer body.

15. A suture anchor according to claim 1 wherein the outer body has at its proximal end at least one axially extending slit therein whereby to relieve stresses upon radially outward expansion of the outer body proximal end.

16. A suture anchor according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one more suture limb captured between the inner body and the outer body.

17. A suture anchor according to claim 1 and further comprising at least three more suture limbs captured between the inner body and the outer body.

18. A method of attaching tissue to a bone comprising the steps of:

passing a limb of suture from the tissue between a suture anchor outer body, which has a distal end a proximal end and an axial bore therethrough, and an inner body receivable within the outer body;

inserting the outer body into the bone;

sliding the suture between the inner body and the outer body to achieve a desired tension thereon or desired position of the tissue; and

capturing the suture limb between the inner body and the outer body, by wrapping at least a segment of the suture limb about the inner body, to prevent sliding of the suture limb therebetween.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the distance between the tissue and the anchor stays substantially the same during the step of capturing.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the suture limb is wrapped around the inner body at least two times.

21. A method according to claim 18 wherein the inner body has at least one radially extending projection and the step of wrapping comprises rotating the inner body within the outer body during which the projection engages the suture limb to cause it to wrap about the inner body.

22. A method according to claim 18 and further comprising the step of radially expanding at least a portion of the outer body to engage the suture anchor into the bone.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein a proximal end of the inner body has outer threads and the proximal end of the outer body has mating inner threads and the step of radially expanding comprises engaging the inner body outer threads with the outer body inner threads.