Knotless suture anchor assembly

• US 5,720,765 A
• Filed: 11/01/1995
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Raymond Thal
• Original Assignee: Raymond Thal
• Inventors: Thal, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHMIDT, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US08/551,648
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 606/232, 606/75, 606/73, 606/213, 606/148, 606/139, 24/357, 24/358, 24/360, 24/362, 24/706.2, 24/706.3, 24/707.9, 24/708, 24/711.4, 24/711.5
• 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 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0403 Dowels other bone dowels A61B17/68; dowels for connecting prosthetic parts A61F2002/30433
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• 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 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• 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 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0829 without deformation of anchor parts, e.g. fixation screws on bone surface, extending barbs, cams, butterflies, spring-loaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3468 and pin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3469 and disconnect means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3475 having intermediate connector allowing movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4604 : having distinct guiding, holding, or protecting means for penetrated portion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4605 : Means detachable from or flaccidly connected to pin [e.g., hatpin type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4696 : having distinct head structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4698 : Movably connected to penetrating portion

Abstract

A one-piece or two-piece knotless suture anchor assembly for the attachment or reattachment or repair of tissue to a bone mass. The assembly allows for an endoscopic or open surgical procedure to take place without the requirement of tying a knot for reattachment of tissue to bone mass. In one embodiment, a spike member is inserted through tissue and then inserted into a dowel-like hollow anchoring sleeve which has been inserted into a bone mass. The spike member is securely fastened or attached to the anchoring sleeve with a ratcheting mechanism thereby pulling or adhering (attaching) the tissue to the bone mass.

Claims

1. A knotless suture anchor assembly for attachment of tissue to bone, said assembly comprising:

a) a spike member having a first end and a second end;

b) at least one suture element having a first end and a second end wherein said first end of said at least one suture element is connected to said second end of said spike member;

c) a stop means connected to said second end of said suture element; and

d) a hollow anchoring sleeve for installation and attachment to a bone mass for receiving and having a length sufficient to completely encircle said first end and said second end of said spike member.

2. A knotless suture anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spike member has an exterior surface which is smooth, ribbed, threaded, or expandable for secure engagement of said spike member with said hollow anchoring sleeve.

3. A knotless suture anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow anchoring sleeve has an exterior surface which is ribbed, threaded, for secure engagement of said sleeve with said bone mass.

4. A knotless suture anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow anchoring sleeve has an interior surface which is ribbed, threaded, or smooth for secure engagement of said spike member.

5. A knotless suture anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stop means is disc-shaped, rod-shaped, ring-shaped, x-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped.

6. A knotless suture anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow anchoring sleeve has a first end and a second end and a collar attached to said first end for secure engagement of said hollow anchoring sleeve with said bone mass.

7. A method for the attachment of tissue to a bone mass utilizing said assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

a) installing said hollow anchoring sleeve in said bone mass; and

b) inserting said spike member through said tissue and then into said hollow anchoring sleeve.

8. A method for the attachment of tissue to bone utilizing the method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of:

c) ratcheting down said spike member into said hollow anchoring sleeve to a desired depth for secure attachment of said tissue to said bone mass.

9. A method for the attachment of tissue to a bone mass utilizing said assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

a) installing said hollow anchoring sleeve in said bone mass;

b) inserting said stop means through an underside of said tissue mass; and

c) inserting said spike member into said hollow anchoring sleeve.

10. A method for the attachment of tissue to bone utilizing the method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

d) ratcheting down said spike member into said hollow anchoring sleeve to a desired depth for secure attachment of said tissue to said bone mass.

11. A method for the attachment of tissue to a bone mass utilizing said assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps:

a) inserting said stop means through an underside of said tissue mass; and

b) inserting said spike member through said tissue and then into said hollow anchoring sleeve and then inserting the sleeve with the anchor therein into said bone mass.

12. A knotless suture anchor assembly for attachment of tissue to bone, said assembly comprising:

a) a spike member having a first end and a second end;

b) at least one suture element having a first end and a second end wherein said first end of said suture element is connected to said second end of said spike member;

c) a stop mean having a surface for securing said tissue and being permanently attached to said second end of said suture element; and

d) an anchor means connected to said first end of said spike member for installation and attachment of said spike member to said bone mass.

13. A knotless suture anchor assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said stop means is disc-shaped, rod-shaped, ring-shaped, X-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped.

14. A method for the attachment of tissue to a bone mass utilizing said assembly as claimed in claim 12, comprising the steps of:

a) inserting said spike member through said tissue and then into said bone mass.