System and method for attaching soft tissue to bone

• US 7,896,907 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Novak, Vincent, McDevitt, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carter; Tara R
• Application Number:
  US10/710,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,443 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/104, 606/139, 606/232, 606/60, 606/62, 606/65, 606/215, 606/216, 606/304, 606/323, 606326-328, 606/63, 606/68, 623 1111- 1317
• US Class Current: 606/304
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• 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. A method for attaching tissue to bone comprising:

driving a shaft extending through an expandable body and an expander pin into a bone, the shaft having a distal tip that extends distally beyond a distal end of the expandable body that is opposite a proximal end of the expandable body that receives the expander pin; and

advancing the expander pin having tissue secured directly thereto into a bore in the expandable body to cause the expandable body to expand and engage bone, thereby securing the tissue to the bone.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein advancing an expander pin comprises advancing a pusher along the shaft to push the expander pin into the expandable body.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the shaft forces an opening into the bone as the shaft is being driven into the bone.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the expander pin includes at least one lateral projection that holds the tissue against the bone.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the expander pin includes ribs formed therearound that engage the bore in the expandable body.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising unthreading the shaft from the expandable body after the expander pin is driven into the expandable body.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said driving includes actuating a cannulated driver assembly.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said cannulated driver assembly includes a trigger for inducing said driving.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said cannulated driver assembly comprises a slap hammer.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the expandable body includes ribs formed therearound that engage the bone.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the tissue is directly secured to the expander pin with suture.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said suture slides relative to said expandable body following said advancing.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the expander pin is disposed around and driven along the shaft.