Ring cinch assembly to attach bone to tissue

• US 7,938,847 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2006
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tornier Incorporated
• Inventors: Fanton, Gary S., Krumme, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo; Julian W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ou; Jing Rui
• Application Number:
  US11/325,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,952 Days
• Field of Search: 606/232, 606/326, 606/300, 606/301
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• 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 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• 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 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0453 threaded elements, e.g. set screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0456 Surface features on the anchor, e.g. ribs increasing friction between the suture and the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• 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 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using a bone anchoring system are described. Methods and apparatuses may allow transformation between locked and unlocked states, thereby allowing adjustment of the tension in the suture. The apparatus and/or methods may allow unidirectional movement of a suture, while preventing slippage or movement of the suture and tissue in the opposite direction. Ends of a suture may be individually tensioned to adjust positioning of a tissue with respect to a bone.

Claims

1. A bone anchor system for coupling tissue to bone, the bone anchor system comprising:

a main body configured to be placed in a bone, the main body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity, the cavity comprising a first opening at or near the proximal end; and

a locking assembly at least partially disposed in the cavity, the locking assembly comprising;

a first locking element;

a second locking element interacting with the first locking element, the first and second locking elements movable with respect to the cavity; and

a filament extending along a suture path through a second opening in the first locking element in a direction toward the second locking element, through a suture gap between the first locking element and the second locking element, around the second locking element, through a third opening in the second locking element, and back through the second opening, wherein the first and second locking elements are positionable with respect to each other such that the filament is moveable along the suture path in a first direction and inhibited from moving in a second direction.

2. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein the cavity extends along a longitudinal axis of the main body.

3. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising one or more coupling members disposed on a surface of the main body, wherein the one or more coupling members are configured to substantially inhibit the main body from moving out of the bone.

4. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising an insert coupled to the main body, wherein the cavity is at least partially defined by at least a portion of the main body and at least a portion of the insert.

5. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking elements are axially movable with respect to each other.

6. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second locking elements comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein the distal portions are disposed in the cavity.

7. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking elements are substantially parallel to each other.

8. The bone anchor system of claim 1 wherein the first locking element comprises a first locking ring, and wherein the second locking element comprises a second locking ring.

9. The bone anchor system of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second locking rings comprises an upper bar located along the suture path and a lower bar disposed at least partially in the cavity.

10. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein the filament is a suture puller, wherein the suture puller is configured to thread at least a portion of a suture through the locking assembly.

11. The bone anchor system of claim 1, further comprising an inserter, the inserter being configured to be reversibly coupled to the main body, wherein the inserter is configured to position the main body in a fourth opening in the bone.

12. The bone anchor system of claim 1 wherein the first direction comprises a portion of the suture path extending from the second locking element, through the suture gap, and toward the first locking element.

13. The bone anchor system of claim 1 wherein the locking assembly comprises a reversible locking assembly.

14. The bone anchor system of claim 1 wherein the second direction comprises a portion of the suture path extending from the first locking element, through the suture gap, and toward the second locking element.

15. The bone anchor system of claim 1 wherein the locking assembly comprises a two bar locking assembly.

16. The bone anchor system of claim 1 further comprising an insert coupled to the main body, wherein the locking assembly is part of the insert.

17. The bone anchor system of claim 1, wherein the filament is a suture.

18. The bone anchor system of claim 17, wherein movement of at least one of the first and second locking elements in an axial direction with respect to another of the first and second locking elements allows or inhibits movement of the suture.

19. The bone anchor system of claim 17, wherein the suture comprises a distal loop portion and two proximal end portions, wherein at least one of the two proximal end portions is coupled to the locking assembly such that tensioning the at least one of the two proximal end portions in the first direction moves the suture in the first direction, and tensioning the at least one of the two proximal end portions in the second direction engages the locking assembly to inhibit movement of the suture.

20. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the suture in the first direction increases the suture gap.

21. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the suture in the first direction displaces the first locking element away from the proximal end of the main body to permit suture movement in the first direction.

22. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the second locking element toward the proximal end of the main body permits suture movement in both the first and second directions.

23. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the suture in the second direction decreases the suture gap to inhibit suture movement in the second direction.

24. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the suture in the second direction displaces the second locking element away from the proximal end of the main body to inhibit suture movement in the second direction.

25. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the suture in the second direction compresses the suture between the first and second locking elements to inhibit suture movement in the second direction.

26. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein movement of the suture in the first direction creates tension on the suture in the second direction.

27. The bone anchor system of claim 17 wherein the first and second locking elements are axially movable with respect to each other to compress the suture in the suture gap.