Methods and apparatus for anchoring objects to bone
First Claim
1. An anchor for coupling an object to bone comprising:
- a first anchoring element for insertion into a hole in the bone, the first anchoring member including an axial channel extending between proximal end and distal ends thereof, the first anchoring element being slidably mounted on an insertion stem,the insertion stem including a portion having a greater outer diameter than an inner diameter of the axial channel, that portion being referred to herein as the portion of greater diameter,the insertion stem being adapted to move proximally in the axial channel to cause the portion of greater diameter to move at least partially through that channel and, thereby, to cause the first anchoring element to expand into a pressure fit with the bone hole,a second anchoring element disposed on the insertion stem distal to the portion of greater diameter, the first and second anchoring elements being arranged so that proximal movement of the insertion stem causes the second anchoring element to cam over the first anchoring element, forcing at least a portion of the second anchoring element into a wall of the bone hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides anchoring devices and methods for coupling an object, such as a suture or soft tissue, to bone. In one aspect of the invention, a bone anchor is placed into compression fit with a predrilled bone hole by pulling an insertion stem at least partially into an anchoring element. In its non-expanded state, the anchoring element is slidably mounted on the proximal end of the insertion stem. The anchoring element has an axial channel at least a portion of which has an inner diameter (or cross-section) smaller than an outer diameter (or cross-section) of at least one portion of the insertion stem. As that larger portion of the insertion stem is pulled through the channel, it causes the walls of the anchoring element to expand outwardly and, thereby, to engage the bone hole walls in a pressure or compression fit. In another aspect of the invention, the larger portion of the insertion stem is a separate component, referred to as an "expander element," that is slidably mounted on the insertion stem distal to the anchoring element. As the insertion stem moves proximally, the expander element is pulled through the channel, causing the walls of the anchoring element to expand into the bone hole walls. A flange, such as a reverse taper, at the distal end of the expander element prevents it from being drawn too far through the anchoring element.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An anchor for coupling an object to bone comprising:
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a first anchoring element for insertion into a hole in the bone, the first anchoring member including an axial channel extending between proximal end and distal ends thereof, the first anchoring element being slidably mounted on an insertion stem, the insertion stem including a portion having a greater outer diameter than an inner diameter of the axial channel, that portion being referred to herein as the portion of greater diameter, the insertion stem being adapted to move proximally in the axial channel to cause the portion of greater diameter to move at least partially through that channel and, thereby, to cause the first anchoring element to expand into a pressure fit with the bone hole, a second anchoring element disposed on the insertion stem distal to the portion of greater diameter, the first and second anchoring elements being arranged so that proximal movement of the insertion stem causes the second anchoring element to cam over the first anchoring element, forcing at least a portion of the second anchoring element into a wall of the bone hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for coupling an object to bone, comprising an anchor that includes
A. an insertion stem, B. a first anchoring element for insertion into a hole in the bone, the first anchoring element being substantially elongate and having an outer surface for engagement with an inner surface of the bone hole, the first anchoring element including an axial channel extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the first anchoring element being disposed on the insertion stem, C. an expander element disposed on the insertion stem distal to the first anchoring element and having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the axial channel, D. the expander element and the first anchoring element being arranged so that proximal movement of the insertion stem in the bone hole causes the expander element to move at least partially through the channel, thereby, causing the first anchoring element to expand into a pressure fit with the bone hole, E. wherein the anchor includes a second anchoring element disposed on the insertion stem distal to the expander element, the first and second anchoring elements being arranged so that proximal movement of insertion stem causes the second anchoring element to cam over the first anchoring element, forcing at least a portion of the second anchoring element into a wall of the bone hole.
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37. An anchor for coupling an object to bone comprising:
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a first anchoring element for insertion into a hole in the bone, the first anchoring element including an axial channel extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, the first anchoring element being slidably mounted on an insertion stem, the first anchoring element having a wall defined by an inner surface of the axial channel and an outer surface of the first anchoring element, the wall having at least one slot therein extending at least partially therethrough, the insertion stem including a portion having a greater outer diameter than an inner diameter of the axial channel, that portion being referred to herein as the portion of greater diameter, the insertion stem being adapted to move proximally in the axial channel to cause the portion of greater diameter to move at least partially through that channel and, thereby to cause the first anchoring element to expand into a pressure fit with the bone hole, a second anchoring element disposed on the insertion stem distal to the portion of greater diameter, the first and second anchoring elements being arranged so that proximal movement of the second anchoring element within the bone hole causes the second anchoring element to cam over the first anchoring element, forcing at least a portion of the second anchoring element into a wall of the bone hole. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification