System and method for attaching soft tissue to bone

• US 6,673,094 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2000
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innovasive Devices Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: McDevitt, Dennis, Halbrecht, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/510,770
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 606/232, 606/72, 606/104, 606/105
• 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 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• 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 2017/0424 the separate member staying in the anchor after placement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0459 Multiple holes in the anchor through which the suture extends and locking the suture when tension is applied
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for attaching tissue to bone. The system comprises an expander pin configured to receive suture; an expandable body configured to receive the expander pin; the expander pin expanding the expandable body when the expander pin is received in the expandable body; the expander pin and the expandable body being configured to (1) allow sliding movement of the suture relative to the expander pin when the expander pin is disposed in a first position relative to the expandable body, and (2) bind the suture relative to the expander pin when the expander pin is disposed in a second position relative to the expandable body; an installation tool adapted to releaseably attach to the expandable body; and the installation tool including a pusher for driving the expander pin into the expandable body.

Claims

1. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expander pin having a passageway formed therein, said passageway configured to receive suture;

an expandable body configured to receive said expander pin;

said expander pin expanding said expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

a first given position of said expander pin relative to said expandable body and a second given position of said expander pin relative to said expandable body, said passageway being disposed in a substantially open configuration at said first given position so as to allow sliding movement of the suture relative to said expander pin, and said passageway being disposed in a substantially closed configuration at said second given position so as to bind the suture relative to said expander pin;

an installation tool adapted to releaseably attach to said expandable body; and

said installation tool including a pusher for driving said expander pin into said expandable body.

2. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expander pin forming a passageway configured to receive suture;

an expandable body configured to receive said expander pin;

a given position of said expander pin relative to said expandable body, wherein said passageway is disposed in a substantially closed configuration at said given position so as to bind the suture relative to the expander pin;

an installation tool adapted to releaseably attach to said expandable body; and

said installation tool including a pusher for driving said expander pin into said expandable body.

3. A method for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

providing an expandable body;

creating a loop of suture with an expander pin;

capturing tissue with the loop of suture, wherein said capturing of tissue comprises positioning tissue within the loop of suture prior to driving the expander pin into the expandable body; and

driving the expander pin into the expandable body, thereby expanding the expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body.

4. A method for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

providing an expandable body;

creating a loop of suture with an expander pin;

emplacing the expandable body in a bone;

driving the expander pin into the expandable body, thereby expanding the expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

wherein said driving the expander pin expands the expandable body so as to secure it to the bone;

said emplacing the expandable body being achieved with an installation tool;

said driving the expander pin being achieved with a pusher slidably received on the installation tool.

5. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expandable body configured to expand into bone, said expandable body defining a bore; and

an expander pin comprising a shaft sized to be received in said bore of said expandable body and expand said expandable body radially when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, and tissue attachment apparatus associated with said shaft;

whereby when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, said expandable body will be attached to bone and said tissue attachment apparatus will secure tissue to said apparatus;

wherein said tissue attachment apparatus comprises a transverse bore formed in said expander pin and a suture extending through said transverse bore; and

wherein said tissue attachment apparatus is configured so that said suture is fixed relative to said expander pin when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

6. A method for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

positioning an expandable body in a bone, the expandable body defining a bore and comprising tissue attachment apparatus; and

fixing the expandable body in, and thereby securing the tissue relative to, the bone;

wherein said securing includes restraining the tissue with suture; and

wherein said securing includes locking the suture;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

7. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expander pin configured to receive suture; and

an expandable body configured to receive said expander pin;

said expander pin expanding said expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

said expander pin and said expandable body being configured to (1) allow sliding movement of the suture relative to said expander pin when said expander pin is disposed in a first position relative to said expandable body, and (2) bind the suture relative to said expander pin when said expander pin is disposed in a second position relative to said expandable body;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

8. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expander pin configured to receive suture; and

an expandable body configured to receive said expander pin;

said expander pin expanding said expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

said expander pin being configured to receive two ends of a suture, defining a suture loop;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

9. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expander pin configured to receive suture; and

an expandable body configured to receive said expander pin;

said expander pin expanding said expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

and further comprising an installation tool adapted to releasably attach to said expandable body;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

10. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expander pin configured to receive suture; and

an expandable body configured to receive said expander pin;

said expander pin and said expandable body binding the suture relative to the expander pin when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

11. A method for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

providing an expandable body;

creating a loop of suture with an expander pin; and

driving the expander pin into the expandable body, thereby expanding the expandable body when said expander pin is received in said expandable body;

wherein said expandable body comprises a distal tip member constructed from a first material and a proximal main member constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.