Bone fastener

• US 5,968,044 A
• Filed: 02/02/1996
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovasive Devices Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Innovasive Devices Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Rice, John, Hart, Rickey D., Nicholson, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/595,772
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72-79, 623/13, 623/16, 411/389, 411/390, 411/490, 411/498
• 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 17/0467 Instruments for cutting sutures surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/686 Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/82 for bone cerclage apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0403 Dowels other bone dowels A61B17/68; dowels for connecting prosthetic parts A61F2002/30433
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0406 Pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0408 Rivets other bone rivets A61B17/68; rivets for connecting prosthetic parts A61F2002/30433, A61F2220/0041
• 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 2017/044 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 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 : Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0835 : with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0841 : Longitudinal channel for insertion tool running through the whole tendon anchor, e.g. for accommodating bone drill, guidewire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0852 : Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 : Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0864 : Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor elements, e.g. by additional screws in the anchor, anchor crimped around tendon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 : Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone
• 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

Abstract

A bone fastener including an expandable member having an axial channel and an elongated element insertable into the axial channel is described. The expandable member is configured to be insertible into a bore drilled in bone. The distal end of the expandable member also may include a structure for axially releasing the expandable member from an emplacement device that places the expandable member into a bone opening. In one embodiment, the structure for axially releasing includes a frangible membrane capable of being severed from the expandable member during emplacement of the expandable member in a bone opening.

A rivet for coupling an object to bone for use with an expandable member is also described. The distal end of the elongated element is shaped into a radially projecting portion adapted for engagement with a washer that contacts the object to be coupled. The washer, having upper and lower surfaces and a bore defined between the surfaces, is disposed around a portion of the shaft. The elongated element is adapted for movement independent of the washer since the radial projection of the element has a different radius of curvature than the washer.

An apparatus for use within an endoscope is described. The apparatus includes an elongated, substantially hollow holding means for emplacing a bone fastener of the invention in a bone opening. The expandable member includes a structure for axially releasing the expandable member from the holding means. A method of attaching soft tissue to bone is also described. The invention also includes a surgical fastener kit.

Claims

1. A device for attaching an object to bone, said device comprising

A. a fastener for fixation in said bone, the fastener comprising

a substantially cylindrical member of expandable material for insertion into an opening in a bone, the member including an outer surface having structure for expandable engagement with an inner surface of the bone opening, said expandable member having an axial channel defined therein extending from a proximal end at least partially to a distal end thereof;

an insertion element for insertion into said expandable member, at least a portion of said insertion element including an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the axial channel of the expandable member for expansion thereof upon engagement therewith, whereby, by insertion of said insertion element into the proximal end of said expandable member and movement of said insertion element toward the distal end of the expandable member, the expandable member is irreversibly expanded to obtain a pressure fit with said opening in said bone,

B. a holder severably attached to said fastener for use in placing said fastener in said bone, and

C. said holder being arranged for detachment from said fastener by application of a selective force to said holder.

3. A device according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein said holder is arranged to be detached from said fastener by rotation of said holder relative to said fastener.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said holder is arranged to be detached from said fastener by rotation of said holder about a long axis thereof.

5. A device according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein said holder is severably attached to said fastener by at least one of a web and a spoke.

6. A device accord to claim 5, wherein said at least one of said web and said spoke are more resistant to being severed by forces urging the holder in a frontward or rearward direction in relation to the fastener than in a direction perpendicular thereto.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one of said web and said spoke severably attach a front end of said holder to a rear end of said fastener.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said object is a suture.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein a rearward portion of said fastener includes a flange for attachment of an object to said bone.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of said fastener includes at least one protrusion.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of said fastener includes an annular ridge.

12. A device according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein an outer surface of said fastener is threaded.

13. A device according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein said fastener comprises a biocompatible material.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fastener and said holder have a generally cylindrical configuration.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said object is a suture and wherein at least one of said fastener and said holder include an axial channel for passage of a suture.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said object is a suture and wherein said suture is attached to said fastener and passes out a rearward portion thereof.

2. A device for attaching a suture to bone, said device comprising

A. a fastener for fixation in an opening in said bone, the fastener comprising

a substantially cylindrical member of expandable material for insertion into an opening in a bone, the member including an outer surface having structure for expandable engagement with an inner surface of the bone opening, said expandable member having an axial channel defined therein extending at least partially between proximal and distal ends thereof;

a substantially cylindrical member of expandable material for insertion into an opening in a bone, the member including an outer surface having structure for expandable engagement with an inner surface of the bone opening, said expandable member having an axial channel defined therein extending from a proximal end at least partially to a distal end thereof;

an insertion element for insertion into said expandable member, at least a portion of said insertion element including an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the axial channel of the expandable member for expansion thereof upon engagement therewith, whereby, by insertion of said insertion element into the proximal end of said expandable member and movement of said insertion element toward the distal end of the expandable member, the expandable member is irreversibly expanded to obtain a pressure fit with said opening in said bone,

B. a holder that is attached on a front end thereof to said fastener,

C. said fastener including an axial channel therethrough, said suture being attached to said fastener and passing out a rearward portion thereof, and

D. said holder being severably attached to said fastener and being arranged for detachment from said fastener by application of a selective force to said holder.