Method and apparatus for attaching connective tissues to bone using a suture anchoring device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, which is adapted to be inserted into a bone, said body having an outer peripheral wall extending substantially completely about said longitudinal axis and defining an inner lumen, said body including a plurality of spaced slits disposed about said outer peripheral wall, each of said slits having a length and lying at an acute angle relative to said longitudinal axis, wherein a distance x between two adjacent slits at a first location along the length of each of the slits is smaller than a distance y between said two adjacent slits at a second location along the length of each of the slits, and further wherein said plurality of spaced slits is sufficient in number such that when an axial length of said body is shortened, thereby causing a plurality of ribs which are disposed between each of said plurality of slits to each expand radially to form respective petals, each of said petals overlap adjacent ones thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bone anchor and methods for using same to secure connective tissue, such as tendons, to bone are disclosed which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. The bone anchor of the invention incorporates a deformable body that creates an increased anchor body diameter after it is inserted into the cancellous bone and deployed beneath the cortical surface of the bone. The increased body diameter, by virtue of its intrinsic geometry, creates both axial and rotational fixation of the bone anchor or suture fixation point.
1017 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, which is adapted to be inserted into a bone, said body having an outer peripheral wall extending substantially completely about said longitudinal axis and defining an inner lumen, said body including a plurality of spaced slits disposed about said outer peripheral wall, each of said slits having a length and lying at an acute angle relative to said longitudinal axis, wherein a distance x between two adjacent slits at a first location along the length of each of the slits is smaller than a distance y between said two adjacent slits at a second location along the length of each of the slits, and further wherein said plurality of spaced slits is sufficient in number such that when an axial length of said body is shortened, thereby causing a plurality of ribs which are disposed between each of said plurality of slits to each expand radially to form respective petals, each of said petals overlap adjacent ones thereof.
- 3. Apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, which is adapted to be inserted into a bone, said body having an outer peripheral wall extending substantially completely about said longitudinal axis and defining an inner lumen, said body including a plurality of spaced slits disposed about said outer peripheral wall, each of said slits having a length and an angled surface at an end thereof, extending depthwise into a wall forming said body, wherein a distance x between two adjacent slits at a first location along the length of each one of the adjacent slits is smaller than a distance y between said two adjacent slits at a second location along the length of each one of said adjacent slits.
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6. A method of fabricating an apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, comprising:
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making a pattern of a bone anchor using a bio-compatible material;
disposing a plurality of spaced slits across a width of said pattern, adjacent ones of said slits being closer together at first and third location along a length thereof and being father apart at a second location along said length, wherein said location is near a first end and said third location is near a second opposing end of each of said respective adjacent slits, and further wherein said second location is in a middle region of each of said respective adjacent slits; and
reforming said pattern into an anchor body. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. Apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, which is adapted to be inserted into a bone, said body including a plurality of spaced slits disposed about said periphery, each of said slits having a length and lying at an acute angle relative to said longitudinal axis, wherein a distance x between two adjacent slits at a first location along the length of each of the slits is smaller than a distance y between said two adjacent slits at a second location along the length of each of the slits, and further wherein said plurality of spaced slits is sufficient in number such that when an axial length of said body is shortened, thereby causing a plurality of ribs which are disposed between each of said plurality of slits to each expand radially to form respective petals, each of said petals overlap adjacent ones thereof.
Specification