Apparatus for attaching soft tissue to bone

• US 5,720,766 A
• Filed: 10/21/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd. Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd. Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Zang, Kerry, Skiba, Jeffry
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US08/696,897
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 606/232, 606/60, 606/72, 606/73, 606/65, 606/66, 606/67, 606/104, 411/511, 62/13
• 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 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8615 at the central region of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/888 the driver bit acting on the central region of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8888 at its central region
• 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 2017/044 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 2017/0459 Multiple holes in the anchor through which the suture extends and locking the suture when tension is applied
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

An anchor for attaching soft tissue to a bone comprising a head having a central dome with a suture bore extending therethrough. The dome includes a pair of substantially flat, oppositely disposed lands configured for engagement to a driving tool for inserting the anchor into the bone. A shaft extend from the head, and includes a first series of helical threads having a first diameter, and second series of helical threads interleaved with the first series of threads. The second series of threads has a diameter substantially different than the first diameter. The anchor employs a guide wire bore extending along the length of the anchor shaft.

Claims

1. A screw type bone anchor for attaching soft tissue to a bone, comprising:

a head having a central dome with a suture bore extending through the dome and a pair of substantially flat, oppositely disposed lands configured about said dome, said lands being configured for engagement by a driving tool for inserting said anchor into the bones; and

a shaft extending from said head, said shaft including a first series of helical threads having a first diameter, and a second series of helical threads interleaved with said first series of threads, said second series of helical threads being characterized by a second diameter substantially different than said first diameter.

2. The anchor of claim 1, wherein said suture bores configure to accommodate a plurality of sutures.

3. The anchor of claim 1, wherein each of said lands further comprises a groove configured to receive a corresponding tab of a driving tool.

4. The anchor of claim 1, further comprising an axial guide wire bore extending along the length of said anchor, such that a guide wire may be journaled through said guide wire bore.