Self-retaining anchor track and method of making and using same

• US 6,149,653 A
• Filed: 09/04/1998
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Deslauriers
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Deslauriers
• Inventors: Deslauriers, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/148,402
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/68-71, 606/73-75, 606/104-105, 606/232, D 8/385-395, 411/57-60, 411/44, 411/33, 411/71, 411/395, 411/426, 411/308-311
• 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 17/861 specially shaped for gripping driver
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8891 at its periphery
• 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 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: B23H 9/00 Machining specially adapted for treating particular metal objects or for obtaining special effects or results on metal objects heat treatment by cathodic discharge C21D1/38
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

A suture anchor, self-retaining bone screw and method of making and using them are disclosed. The suture anchor includes a track within which a suture may be anchored. The suture anchor track may be incorporated underneath the head of a bone screw in general alignment with a slot used to drive the bone screw, so that the track is accessible through the slot. In operation, suture is slid down into the slot and over and up into the track. The self-retaining screw includes at least one spring arm that provides a locking force when engaged with a driver. A method of making the anchor track and self-retaining component is also disclosed. The method comprises positioning a screw blank and using an EDM process to cut a slot and an internal track into the head portion of the screw blank.

Claims

1. A mechanical fastener comprising:

an elongate member having a first end and a head portion, said first end adapted for insertion into a substrate, said head portion having at least one surface and comprising means to engage with a driver; and

,

at least one arm formed within said head portion, said arm having an outer surface integral with an outer surface of said head portion and an inner surface including a projection at an end of the arm.

2. The mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein said at least one arm comprises at least one spring arm formed within said head portion adjacent the means to engage with a driver, the at least one spring arm providing a locking force between said head portion and a driver.

3. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein the locking force is generated by a displaced moment arm of the spring arm.

4. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein said means to engage with a driver provides an audible and tactile confirmation that the locking force between said head portion and said driver has been established.

5. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with one side of said slot.

6. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises transverse slots within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with one side of one of said transverse slots.

7. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a square shaped cutout within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with one side of said square shaped cutout.

8. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a cutout within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with a side of said cutout.

9. The mechanical fastener of claim 2 wherein the at least one spring arm comprises a track formed within said head portion below said outer surface of said head portion, said track operative to anchor at least one suture without through threading.

10. The mechanical fastener of claim 9, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion and said track is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion to one side of the slot, said slot and said track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

11. The mechanical fastener of claim 9, further comprising a second track formed within said head portion below said outer surface of said head portion.

12. The mechanical fastener of claim 11, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion and said track and said second track are incorporated in said head portion on opposite sides of the slot, said slot, said track and said second track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

13. The mechanical fastener of claim 11, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises transverse slots within said head portion and said track and said second track are incorporated in said head portion on opposite sides of one of the slots, and said slots, said track and said second track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

14. The mechanical fastener of claim 9, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a cutout within said head portion and said track is incorporated in said head portion through said cutout, and said cutout and said track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

15. The mechanical fastener of claim 9, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a square shaped cutout within said head portion and said track is incorporated in said head portion through said square shaped cutout, and said square shaped cutout and said track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

16. The mechanical fastener of claim 9, wherein said outer surface of said head portion comprises a peripheral surface of said head portion, and said track is incorporated around said peripheral surface of said head portion.

17. The mechanical fastener of claim 16 further comprising a port intersecting said track and providing an anchor point for a suture on said track.

18. The mechanical fastener of claim 9, wherein said outer surface of said head portion comprises an underside surface of said head portion, and said track is incorporated in said head portion beneath said underside surface.

19. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a low carbon, corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material.

20. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a reabsorbable implant material.

21. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises Titanium.

22. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises stainless steel.

23. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises cobalt chrome.

24. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw that can be removed and reinserted without damaging substrate.

25. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw sized for insertion into a particular anatomical area.

26. The mechanical fastener of claim 1, further comprising a surgical plate, said surgical plate attached to a substrate by said elongate member.

27. The mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein said first end comprises a tapered self-tapping portion.

28. The mechanical fastener of claim I wherein said first end comprises a self-drilling portion.

29. The mechanical fastener of claim I wherein said elongate member comprises a threaded portion.

30. The mechanical fastener of claim I wherein said elongate member comprises a barbed portion.

31. A self-retaining screw comprising:

an elongate member having a first end and a head portion, said first end adapted for insertion into a substrate, said head portion having an upper surface;

means for engaging said screw with a driver formed within said head portion; and

,

at least one spring arm formed within said head portion adjacent the means for engaging, the at least one spring arm providing a locking force between said head portion and said driver.

32. The screw of claim 31 wherein the locking force is generated by a displaced moment arm of the spring arm.

33. The screw of claim 31 wherein said means for engaging provides an audible and tactile confirmation that the locking force between said head portion and said driver has been established.

34. The screw of claim 31 wherein said means for engaging comprises a slot within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with one side of said slot.

35. The screw of claim 31 wherein said means for engaging comprises transverse slots within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with one side of one of said transverse slots.

36. The screw of claim 31 wherein said means for engaging comprises a square shaped cutout within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with one side of said square shaped cutout.

37. The screw of claim 31 wherein said means for engaging comprises a cutout within said upper surface of said head portion, said at least one spring arm positioned in general alignment with a side of said cutout.

38. A self-drilling suture anchor comprising:

an elongate member having a first end and a head portion, said first end adapted for drilling into and securing the elongate member within a substrate, said head portion having at least one surface and comprising means to engage with a driver; and

anchoring means formed within said head portion operative to anchor at least one suture without through threading

wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion and said anchoring means is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion, said slot and said anchoring means forming a continuous void within said head portion.

39. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises transverse slots within said head portion and said anchoring means is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion, said slots and said anchoring means forming a continuous void within said head portion.

40. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a cutout within said head portion and said anchoring means is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion, said cutout and said anchoring means forming a continuous void within said head portion.

41. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a square shaped cutout within said head portion and said anchoring means is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion, said square shaped cutout and said anchoring means forming a continuous void within said head portion.

42. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said at least one surface comprises a peripheral surface of said head portion, and said anchoring means comprises a track incorporated around said peripheral surface of said head portion.

43. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 42 further comprising a port intersecting said track and providing an anchor point for a suture on said track.

44. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said at least one surface comprises an underside surface of said head portion, and said anchoring means comprises a track incorporated within said head portion beneath said underside surface.

45. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises a low carbon, corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material.

46. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises a reabsorbable implant material.

47. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises Titanium.

48. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises cobalt chrome.

49. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises stainless steel.

50. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw that can be removed and reinserted without damaging substrate.

51. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw sized for insertion into a particular anatomical area.

52. The self-drilling suture anchor of claim 38, further comprising a surgical plate, said surgical plate attached to the substrate by said elongate member.

53. A self-retaining suture anchor comprising:

an elongate member having a first end and a head portion, said first end adapted for insertion into a substrate;

said head portion comprising;

means to engage with a driver;

a first cleat member positioned on a first side of said means to engage with a driver; and

a second cleat member positioned on a second side of said means to engage with a driver, said first cleat member and said second cleat member operative to anchor suture;

wherein at least one of said first cleat member and said second cleat member provides a locking force between said driver and said head portion.

54. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion.

55. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises transverse slots within said head portion, and said first cleat member and said second cleat member are positioned on opposites sides of one of said transverse slots.

56. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a cutout within said head portion, and said first cleat member and said second cleat member are positioned on opposites sides of said cutout.

57. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said elongate member comprises a low carbon, corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material.

58. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said elongate member comprises a reabsorbable implant material.

59. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said elongate member comprises Titanium.

60. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said elongate member comprises stainless steel.

61. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said elongate member comprises cobalt chrome.

62. The suture anchor of claim 53, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw that can be removed and reinserted without damaging substrate.

63. The suture anchor of claim 53 wherein said first end comprises a tapered self-tapping portion.

64. The suture anchor of claim 53 wherein said first end comprises a tapered self-drilling portion.

65. The suture anchor of claim 53 wherein said elongate member comprises a threaded portion.

66. The suture anchor of claim 53 wherein said elongate member comprises a barbed portion.

67. An apparatus for preventing suture from releasing from a suture anchor, said suture anchor comprising a head portion having at top surface and comprising a means to engage with a driver, and at least one arm formed within said head portion adjacent said means to engage, said at least one arm providing a locking force between said head portion and a driver, said apparatus comprising a plug shaped for insertion into said means to engage with a driver, said plug operative to prevent release of suture positioned below said at least one arm, said locking force operative to secure said plug within said means to engage.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion, said plug having a rectangular shape and sized for insertion into said slot.

69. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises transverse slots within said head portion, said plug having rectangular shape and sized for insertion into one of said transverse slots.

70. The suture anchor of claim 67, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a cutout within said head portion, said plug having a shape matching a shape of said cutout and sized for insertion into said cutout.

71. A suture anchor comprising:

an elongate member having a first end and a head portion, said first end adapted for insertion into a substrate, said head portion having at least one surface and comprising means to engage with a driver; and

a track formed within said head portion below said at least one surface, said track operative to anchor at least one suture without through threading.

72. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion and said track is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion to one side of the slot, said slot and said track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

73. The suture anchor of claim 71, further comprising a second track formed within said head portion below said at least one surface.

74. The suture anchor of claim 72, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a slot within said head portion and said track and said second track are incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion on opposite sides of the slot, said slot, said track and said second track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

75. The suture anchor of claim 72, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises transverse slots within said head portion and said track and said second track are incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion on opposite sides of one of the slots, said slots, said track and said second track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

76. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a cutout within said head portion and said track is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion through said cutout and said cutout and said track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

77. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said means to engage with a driver comprises a square shaped cutout within said head portion and said track is incorporated within an internal portion of said head portion through said square shaped cutout, said square shaped cutout and said track forming a continuous void within said head portion.

78. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said at least one surface comprises a peripheral surface of said head portion, and said track is incorporated around said peripheral surface of said head portion.

79. The suture anchor of claim 78 further comprising a port intersecting said track and providing an anchor point for a suture on said track.

80. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said at least one surface comprises an underside surface of said head portion, and said track is incorporated within said head portion beneath said underside surface.

81. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises a low carbon, corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material.

82. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises a reabsorbable implant material.

83. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises Titanium.

84. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises stainless steel.

85. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises cobalt chrome.

86. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw that can be removed and reinserted without damaging substrate.

87. The suture anchor of claim 71, wherein said elongate member comprises a bone screw sized for insertion into a particular anatomical area.

88. The suture anchor of claim 71 wherein said first end comprises a tapered self-tapping portion.

89. The suture anchor of claim 71 wherein said first end comprises a self-drilling portion.

90. The suture anchor of claim 71 wherein said elongate member comprises a threaded portion.

91. The suture anchor of claim 71 wherein said elongate member comprises a barbed portion.