System and method for attaching soft tissue to bone

• US 6,770,073 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DePuy Mitek Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Mitek Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Novak, Vincent P., McDevitt, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Application Number:
  US09/989,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20020115999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 606/60, 606/65, 606/67, 606/68, 606/72, 606/73, 606/74, 606/75, 606/104
• US Class Current: 606/60
• 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 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 2017/0424 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 2017/0459 Multiple holes in the anchor through which the suture extends and locking the suture when tension is applied
• 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 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel

Abstract

A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching tissue to bone, comprising:

an expandable body including a proximal portion and a distal tip portion that is separable from the proximal portion, the expandable body having a bore extending therethrough; and

an expander pin sized to be disposed within the bore in the expandable body such that the expander pin is effective to expand the expandable body, the expander pin including a tissue attachment apparatus formed thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion and the distal tip portion are threadably matable with one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion and the distal tip portion are frictionally engageably with one another.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal tip portion of the expandable body is formed from a first material, and the proximal portion is formed from a second material, the first material being harder than the second material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue attachment apparatus comprises at least one bore formed in the expander pin for receiving at least one suture therethrough.

6. An apparatus for attaching tissue to bone, comprising:

an expandable body having a bore extending therethrough;

an expander pin sized to be disposed within the bore in the expandable body such that the expander pin is effective to expand the expandable body, the expander pin including a tissue attachment apparatus formed thereon, and a bore extending therethrough; and

an installation shaft adapted to be received in the bore in the expandable body and in the bore in the expander pin, the shaft being matable to the expandable body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the installation shaft and the expandable body are threadingly interengageable with one another.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a pusher member adapted to drive the expander pin into the expandable body.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pusher member is slidably disposed around the installation shaft.

10. An apparatus for attaching tissue to bone, comprising:

an expandable body having a bore extending therethrough;

an expander pin adapted to be disposed within the bore in the expandable body to expand the expandable body, the expander pin including a tissue attachment apparatus formed thereon, and a bore extending therethrough; and

an installation shaft disposable within the bore in each of the expandable body and the expander pin, the shaft including a tapered distal end.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the expandable body includes a generally frusto-conical distal end for seating a distal end portion of the installation shaft.

12. An apparatus for attaching tissue to bone, comprising:

an expandable body having a bore extending therethrough;

an expander pin adapted to be disposed within the bore in the expandable body to expand the expandable body, the expander pin including a tissue attachment apparatus formed thereon, and a bore extending therethrough; and

an installation shaft slidably disposed through the bore in the expander pin and the bore in the expandable body such that a distal end of the shaft extends distally beyond the expandable body.