Bone fastener

• US 6,524,316 B1
• Filed: 06/14/1999
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Rice, John, Hart, Rickey D., Nicholson, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US09/332,965
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/69, 606/72, 606/73, 606/75, 606/70, 606/71, 606/232, 411/531, 411/533, 411/534, 411/41, 411/45-48, 411/72
• US Class Current: 606/326
• 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 rivet for coupling an object to bone for use with an expandable member capable of insertion into an opening in bone, the rivet comprising:

an elongated element for insertion into a distal end of said expandable member, the element having a shaft with proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said elongated element including a radially projecting portion and an outer surface of said shaft including a radially outward projecting portion adapted to expand said expandable member; and

a washer having upper and lower surfaces defining a bore therebetween, said bore disposed around a portion of the shaft of the elongated element, and said upper surface of said bore having a radius of curvature that is different than a radius of curvature of a lower surface of said radially projecting portion of the distal end of the elongated element such that, when the upper surface of the bore in the washer and the lower surface of the radially projecting portion on the distal end of the elongated element are in contact, said washer is movable independently of said elongated element.

2. The rivet of claim 1, wherein said washer lower surface includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections extending towards said proximal end of said elongated element.

3. The rivet of claim 1, wherein said washer includes means for enhancing tissue proliferation on said rivet.

4. The rivet of claim 3, wherein said means comprises a plurality of apertures defined between said upper and lower surfaces of said washer at a peripheral portion thereof.