System apparatus and method for closing severed bone or tissue of a patient

• US 6,436,123 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiacassist Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cardiacassist Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Magovern, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/519,241
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 606/53, 606/60, 606/69, 606/72, 606/73, 606/74, 606/103, 606/213, 606/215, 606/216, 606/232, 247/136, 247/137, D 8/356, D11/208
• US Class Current: 606/216
• 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 17/0466 Suture bridges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/823 for the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/081 Tissue approximator A61B2017/1103, A61B17/8866 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/908 Bioabsorbable material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

A system and method for closing a first side of a severed bone with a second side of a severed bone of a patient. The system includes a first anchor mechanism which is adapted to enter into the first side of the bone and a second anchor mechanism which is adapted to anchor into the second side of the bone. The second anchor mechanism is separate and remote from the first anchor mechanism. The system also includes a lash that extends through the first and second anchor mechanisms and which binds the first side of the severed bone with the second side of the severed bone. Preferably, the lash comprises a wire made of stainless steel or suture material. A method for closing a first side of a severed bone with a second side of a severed bone. The method includes the steps of anchoring a first anchor mechanism into the first side of the severed bone, anchoring a second anchor mechanism into a second side of the severed bone, extending a lash through a first opening of a housing of the first anchor mechanism in the first side, extending the lash through a second opening of a housing of the second anchor mechanism, pulling the lash until the first side and second side are contacting each other, and fixing the lash so the first side and second side maintain contact with each other.

Claims

1. An anchor mechanism, in which a lash is disposed, adapted to enter into bone comprising:

a first grommet and a second grommet adapted to oppose the first grommet when the first grommet and the second grommet are disposed in the bone, each of which comprises;

a housing having an opening which extends through the housing through which the lash extends, said housing comprising a first portion which is adapted to be disposed on the surface of the bone, and a second portion which is adapted to pierce and penetrate into the bone, the second portion having an inner diameter which is smooth and continuous.

2. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 1 wherein the second portion has a longitudinal portion that extends from the first portion and teeth which extend from the longitudinal portion, the longitudinal portion and the teeth are adapted to pierce and penetrate the bone.

3. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 2 wherein the first portion is a flange which extends outwardly from the second portion.

4. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 3 wherein the second portion extends through the bone.

5. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 4 wherein the cross-section of the opening is circular.

6. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 5 wherein the cross-section of the first portion and inner diameter of the second portion is circular.

7. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 6 wherein the second portion is a cylinder.

8. An anchor mechanism as described in claim 7 wherein the housing is made of stainless steel or plastic or absorbable material.