Apparatus and method for attaching soft tissue to bone

• US 7,867,264 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Borg, Thomas E., McDevitt, Dennis, Novak, Vince, Munroe, Geary H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHNEIDER, LYNNSY M
• Application Number:
  US10/811,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,479 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/73, 606/104, 606/148, 606/232, 606/304, 606/305, 606309-310, 606313-314, 606/319, 606/321, 606326-329, 606/88, 606/98, 606/99, 623 1311- 132
• US Class Current: 606/313
• 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 17/686 Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw
• 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 2017/0425 the anchor or the separate member comprising threads, e.g. a set screw in the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• 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: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread
• 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

Apparatuses for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an expandable body defining a bore, an expander pin having a shaft sized to be received in the bore of the expandable body, and an insertion shaft slidingly disposed in the bore of the expandable body and in a bore of the expander pin. The body is configured to expand laterally into and attach to bone when the expander pin is driven into the expandable body. The body includes a proximal main member having a distally extending threaded projection and a harder, distal tip member having a threaded recess in a proximal surface thereof such that the projection is threadedly interengageable with the recess. The expansion of the body by way of the expander pin can occur when the proximal main member and distal tip member are threadedly engaged. The insertion shaft is releasably secured to the expandable body and extends distally beyond the expandable body.

Claims

1. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expandable body defining a bore and configured to expand into bone, said expandable body comprising a distal tip member and a proximal main member, said distal tip member being of harder material than said proximal main member, said distal tip member having a threaded recess in a proximal surface thereof and said proximal main member having a distally extending threaded projection threadedly interengageable with the distal tip member recess;

an expander pin comprising a shaft sized to be received in the bore of said expandable body and to expand said expandable body laterally when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body while said proximal main member and distal tip member are threadedly engaged; and

an insertion shaft slidingly disposed in said bore of said expandable body and in a bore of said expander pin, the insertion shaft being releasably secured to the expandable body and extending distally beyond the expandable body;

wherein, when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, said expandable body is configured to attach to the bone.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said expander pin includes a fastener stabilization apparatus for stabilizing said expander pin relative to said expandable body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fastener stabilization apparatus comprises threads.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fastener stabilization apparatus comprises ribs.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a tissue attachment member having at least one laterally-extending projection for tacking tissue, whereby when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, said tissue attachment member is configured to secure the tissue to said apparatus.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has as substantially linear outer edge.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has a substantially arc-like outer edge.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a tissue attachment member in the form of a bore formed in said expander pin and a suture extending through said expander pin bore, whereby when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, said tissue attachment member is configured to secure the tissue to said apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said tissue attachment member is configured so that said suture may slide relative to said expander pin when said expander pin is received in said expandable body.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said tissue attachment member further comprises a second bore formed in said expander pin and second suture extending through said second expander pin bore.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said expander pin has indicia for indicating depth.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said expandable body distal tip member is tapered.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said expandable body includes a bone securement apparatus for securing said expandable body relative to bone.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said bone securement apparatus comprises ribs.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said bone securement apparatus comprises threads.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said insertion shaft and said expandable body are threadingly interengageable with one another.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said insertion shaft has a tapered distal end.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a pusher member configured to drive said expander pin into said expandable body.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said pusher member slides along said insertion shaft when driving said expander pin into said expandable body.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a cannulated driver assembly adapted to drive said expander pin into said expandable body.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said cannulated driver assembly slides along said insertion shaft connected to said expandable body.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said cannulated driver assembly includes a trigger for inducing the driving of said expander pin.

23. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said cannulated driver assembly comprises a slap hammer.

24. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has a substantially convex configuration.

25. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has a substantially planar configuration.

26. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has a substantially concave configuration.

27. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said tissue attachment member further comprises at least one longitudinally-extending projection projecting distally out of said at least one laterally-extending projection.

28. Apparatus for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

an expandable body configured to expand into bone, said expandable body defining a bore and comprising a distal tip member and a proximal main member being separable from one another;

an expander pin comprising a shaft sized to be received in the bore of said expandable body and to expand said expandable body laterally when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body; and

an installation tool comprising a shaft slidingly received in said bore of said expandable body and in a bore of said expander pin, the installation tool shaft being releasably secured to said expandable body, the installation tool shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end extending distally beyond a distal end of the distal tip member of the expandable body;

whereby when said expander pin is driven distally into said expandable body, said expandable body is configured to attach to the bone.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said expander pin includes a fastener stabilization apparatus for stabilizing said expander pin relative to said expandable body.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said fastener stabilization apparatus comprises threads.

31. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said fastener stabilization apparatus comprises ribs.

32. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said apparatus further comprises a tissue attachment member having at least one laterally-extending projection for tacking tissue, whereby when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, said tissue attachment member is configured to secure the tissue to said apparatus.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has a substantially linear outer edge.

34. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said at least one laterally-extending projection has a substantially arc-like outer edge.

35. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said apparatus further comprises a tissue attachment member in the form of a bore formed in said expander pin and a suture extending through said bore formed in said expander pin, whereby when said expander pin is driven into said expandable body, said tissue attachment member is configured to secure the tissue to said apparatus.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said tissue attachment member is configured so that said suture is slidable relative to said expander pin when said expander pin is received in said expandable body.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said tissue attachment member further comprises a second bore formed in said expander pin and a second suture extending through said second expander pin bore.

38. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said expander pin has indicia for indicating depth.

39. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said expandable body is provided with a tapered distal end.

40. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said distal tip member and said proximal main member are threadedly interengageable with one another.

41. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said distal tip member and said proximal main member are frictionally interengageable with one another.

42. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said distal tip member is constructed from a first material and said proximal main member is constructed from a second material, and wherein said first material is harder than said second material.

43. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said expandable body distal tip member is tapered.

44. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said expandable body includes a bone securement apparatus for securing said expandable body relative to bone.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said bone securement apparatus comprises ribs.

46. Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said bone securement apparatus comprises threads.

47. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said shaft of said installation tool and said expandable body are threadedly interengageable with one another.

48. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said distal end of said shaft of said installation tool is tapered.

49. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said apparatus further comprises a pusher member configured to drive said expander pin into said expandable body.

50. Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said pusher member slides along said shaft of said installation tool when driving said expander pin into said expandable body.

51. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said installation tool includes a trigger for inducing the driving of said expander pin.

52. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said installation tool comprises a slap hammer.