Systems for securing sutures, grafts and soft tissue to bone and periosteum

• US 7,326,213 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Springboard Medical Ventures LLC
• Original Assignee: Springboard Medical Ventures LLC
• Inventors: Benderev, Theodore V., Ryan, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Araj; Michael J
• Application Number:
  US09/733,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20040111100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,615 Days
• Field of Search: 606/213, 606/215, 606/216, 606/219, 606/220, 606/228, 606/232
• US Class Current: 606/139
• 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 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0438 slotted, i.e. having a longitudinal slot for enhancing their elasticity
• 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 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• 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

Devices for affixing sutures, grafts and tissues to bone, and soft tissue such as periosteum. Such devices are designed to be deployed and selectively positioned at a target site and remain seated thereat. The devices are further provided with attachment structures for securing sutures, grafts, synthetic materials or tissues thereto which facilitates the ability of such devices to remain more firmly in position.

Claims

1. A method of providing permanent support to an internal organ or tissue within a patient'"'"'s body comprising the steps:

a) providing a surgical implant, said implant comprising;

i) first and second suture lines having proximal and distal ends, each line being extensible through dedicated target sites of soft tissue in a distal direction;

ii) a plurality of anchor members disposed linearly upon each respective line, each respective one of said plurality of anchor members being operative to penetrate into and become embedded in fixed position within said soft tissue at said target site;

iii) each respective one of said plurality of said anchor members being operatively configured such that said line is advanceable through said soft tissue at said selected target site in a first distal direction and incapable of movement in an opposite direction; and

iv) a permanently implantable sling disposed intermediate the proximal ends of said lines; and

b) introducing said implant in step a) within a patient'"'"'s body such that the sling is positioned adjacent said internal organ or tissue and advancing said lines through dedicated target sites such that the sling is permanently positioned adjacent said internal organ or tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step a) each respective one of said plurality of anchor members comprises generally V-shaped prongs having said line extend axially therethrough.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (b), said implant is positioned adjacent the urethra.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein in step (b), said sling is positioned beneath the urethra.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (b), said sling is positioned beneath the urethra and operative to define a space therebetween.