Method and apparatus for attaching connective tissues to bone using a knotless suture anchoring device
First Claim
1. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect to a body cavity, comprising:
- an anchor body having an anchoring structure for fixing the anchor body within a body cavity, the anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end, the anchor body further including a suture pulley axially fixed with respect to the anchor body such that a length of suture may be introduced into the lumen from the proximal end, looped around the pulley, arid passed out of the lumen through the proximal end;
a suture locking plug movable within the lumen from a first position to a second position; and
a mechanical actuator connected to said suture locking plug, other than said length of suture, for moving said suture locking plug from said first position to said second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An innovative bone anchor and methods for securing soft tissue, such as tendons, to bone, which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. Advantageously, the suturing material between the soft tissue and the bone anchor is secured without the need for tying a knot. The suture attachment to the bone anchor involves the looping of a length of suture around a pulley within the bone anchor, tightening the suture and attached soft tissue, and compressing the suture against the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be a tubular body having a lumen with a locking plug that compresses the suture therein. The pulley may be a pin located near a distal end of the tubular body around which the length of suture is looped. Alternatively, a pulley may be a bridge portion of the tubular body between two spaced apertures in the wall of the body. The locking plug may include a shaft and an enlarged head that interferes with the tubular body to provide a positive stop. An actuation rod attached at a frangible section to the shaft may be manipulated by an external handle during locking of the suture within the bone anchor. The bone anchor further may include locking structure for securing itself within a bone cavity.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect to a body cavity, comprising:
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an anchor body having an anchoring structure for fixing the anchor body within a body cavity, the anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end, the anchor body further including a suture pulley axially fixed with respect to the anchor body such that a length of suture may be introduced into the lumen from the proximal end, looped around the pulley, arid passed out of the lumen through the proximal end;
a suture locking plug movable within the lumen from a first position to a second position; and
a mechanical actuator connected to said suture locking plug, other than said length of suture, for moving said suture locking plug from said first position to said second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect thereto, comprising:
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an anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end, the anchor body further including a suture pulley fixed with respect to the anchor body such that a length of suture may be introduced into lumen from the proximal end, looped around the pulley, and passed out of the lumen through the proximal end;
a suture locking plug movable within the lumen from a first position which does not interfere with axial movement of the length of suture to a second position that compresses the length of suture against the anchor body and interferes with axial movement of the length of suture; and
a mechanical actuator connected to said suture locking plug, other than said length of suture, for moving said suture locking plug from said first position to said second position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect to a body cavity, comprising:
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an anchor body having an anchoring structure for fixing the anchor body within a body cavity, the anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at both the proximal and distal ends, the lumen having a diameter that permits a length of suture to be passed therethrough;
a suture locking plug comprising a shaft axially displaceable within the lumen, wherein the suture locking plug is movable within the lumen from a first position which does not interfere with axial movement of the length of suture to a second position that interferes with axial movement of the length of suture, and wherein a stop is provided that positively interferes with proximal movement of the suture locking plug with respect to the anchor body; and
a mechanical actuator connected to said suture locking plug, other than said length of suture for moving said suture locking plug from said first position to said second position. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of securing soft tissue, with respect to a body cavity, without knots, comprising:
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passing a length of suture through soft tissue so that a loop of suture material is embedded in the soft tissue resulting in two free ends;
providing an anchor body having an open proximal end and a lumen, and a pulley fixed with respect to the anchor body;
passing the two free ends of the length of suture into the lumen of the anchor body through the open proximal end, looping them around the pulley, and extending the two free ends out of the lumen through the open proximal end;
fixing the anchor body with respect to a body cavity;
tightening the loop of suture material by pulling on one or both of the two free ends of the length of suture;
fastening the two free ends of the length of suture with respect to the anchor body without knots;
providing a suture locking plug movable within the lumen from a first position which does not interfere with axial movement of the two free ends of the length of suture against the lumen and interferes with axial movement thereof; and
providing an actuator for moving said suture locking plug, the stop of fastening including displacing the suture locking plus from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A knotless suture anchor apparatus for anchoring a length of suture with respect to a body cavity, comprising:
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an anchor body having an anchoring structure for fixing the anchor body within a body cavity, the anchor body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen opening at the proximal end, the anchor body further including a suture pulley axially fixed with respect to the anchor body such that a length of suture may be introduced into the lumen from the proximal end, looped around the pulley, and passed out off the lumen through the proximal end; and
a suture locking plug movable within the lumen from a first position to a second position, wherein said first position is located distally of said suture pulley and said second position is located proximally of said suture pulley.
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Specification