Implant and delivery system for soft tissue repair

• US 7,963,972 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Foerster, Seth A., Gregoire, David, White, George W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Anhtuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/854,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20090069823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 606139-145, 606/213, 606/215, 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 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth

Abstract

Implant and delivery systems for soft tissue repair which affix soft tissue portions to a region of bone are described. Generally, the assembly includes two bone anchors preloaded through an inserter handle such that each anchor is penetrated into the bone directly. The first anchor is inserted through the tissue and into the bone, where it is locked into position. The first anchor has a suture or wire that protrudes through the tissue and threads through the second anchor and is secured to a rotatable suture reel located along the handle. The second anchor is inserted through the tissue and into the bone independently of the first anchor. Once the second anchor is deployed, the suture or wire is tensioned to secure the soft tissue to the bone and a suture plug within the second anchor is deployed to lock the suture or wire in place.

Claims

1. A system for repairing tissue, comprising:

an inserter handle;

a barrel assembly comprising a first inserter shaft and a second inserter shaft, the barrel assembly connected to the inserter handle;

wherein the first inserter shaft comprises a first support sleeve and the second inserter shaft comprises a second support sleeve;

a first and second sleeve lock tab disposed on opposed sides of the barrel assembly, the first and second sleeve lock tab removably attached to the barrel assembly to selectively control sliding of the first and second support sleeves, respectively, and wherein the first and second sleeve lock tab are removable to expose an anchor depth indicator along the barrel assembly;

a first anchor and a second anchor detachably connected within a distal end of each the first support sleeve and the second support sleeve, respectively, wherein the first and second anchor are disposed both adjacent to one another and spaced sufficiently apart to prevent interference with one another upon deployment, each configured for placement into a region of bone; and

a connecting member comprising a looped first end affixed within the first anchor, wherein the connecting member is slidably routed into and through the second anchor such that a second end of the connecting member is connected to the handle, wherein the first anchor and second anchor are deployable into the region of bone independently of one another by respective deployment of the first inserter shaft and the second inserter shaft, such that a portion of the connecting member is disposed between the first anchor and second anchor and is adjustably tensioned between the first and second anchors, wherein a presence of a visual marking within the anchor depth indicator is indicative of a suitable depth which the first or second anchor is placed within the region of bone.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second anchors each define a piercing tip suitable for advancement into the region of bone.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second anchors each comprise a reconfigurable locking mechanism having a low-profile configuration for advancement into the region of bone and a deployed configuration for locking the anchors within the region of bone.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises a suture or wire.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member couples the first and second anchors such that a portion of soft tissue to be repaired is affixed to the bone at the first and second anchors.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is tensioned between the first and second anchors by pulling on a proximal end of the connecting member such that the connecting member is slidably drawn through a portion of the second anchor.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plug member slidably disposed within the second anchor whereby placement of the plug member within a compression zone against the connecting member locks the connecting member within the second anchor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the handle further comprises an actuatable mechanism for advancing the first or second anchor independently of one another.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a ratcheting mechanism coupled to the connecting member and configured to tension the connecting member between the first and second anchors.

10. A system of claim 1 wherein the first support sleeve disposed over the first anchor and proximally slidable with respect to the first anchor.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein removal of the first sleeve lock tab releases the first support sleeve to slide with respect to the first anchor.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the second support sleeve disposed over the second anchor and proximally slidable with respect to the second anchor.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein removal of the second sleeve lock tab releases the second support sleeve to slide with respect to the second anchor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is further passed from the first anchor to the second anchor through a first slot and a second slot along each of the respective lengths of the first inserter shaft and the second inserter shaft.