Devices and methods for bone anchoring

• US 7,972,337 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Kavanaugh, Sean, Velagic, Almir, Boyajian, Thomas, Tarapata, Christopher, Einhorn, Jacob, Moore, Robert Kevin, Lambrecht, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett; Thomas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beccia; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/641,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20070260249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 606/99, 606/75, 606/281, 606/74, 606300-321, 606322-331, 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 606/75
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7056 Hooks with specially-designed bone-contacting part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces.

Claims

1. A method of establishing an anchor along an endplate adjacent an intervertebral disc, comprising:

identifying a vertebral body comprising an outer surface and an endplate;

identifying a defect in an intervertebral disc adjacent said vertebral body;

providing a prosthetic device coupled to a bone anchor,

wherein the prosthetic device is configured to repair the intervertebral disc,

wherein the bone anchor is configured for insertion into the outer surface and for presenting an attachment site along the endplate,

wherein the outer surface is offset at an angle substantially perpendicular from the endplate and extends around a circumference of the vertebral body,

wherein the bone anchor comprises a neck,

wherein said neck has a length defined by a sharpened leading edge and a trailing end,

wherein said neck comprises an attachment site along at least a portion of its length,

wherein said attachment site is attachable to the prosthetic device,

wherein the attachment site is configured to extend above the endplate,

wherein said neck comprises a bottom portion terminating in two or more keels,

wherein said keels are configured for pull-out resistance and stability by presenting a larger surface area below the endplate and embedded in the outer surface,

wherein said keels form an angle of about 10 to about 180 degrees relative to each other;

wherein each of said keels comprises sharpened leading edges,

wherein the attachment site is offset relative to both the anchor'"'"'s angle of insertion and said neck to present said attachment site along the endplate, while said keels are inserted into the outer surface;

advancing the sharpened leading edges of the keels within the outer surface while simultaneously advancing the attachment site, and thereby the prosthetic device, along and across the endplate,

wherein the anchor is driven within the outer surface of the vertebral body along a trajectory that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the vertebral body and substantially parallel to the endplate;

countersinking said anchor within said outer surface such that no portion of said anchor lies beyond said outer surface; and

positioning the prosthetic device to close the defect.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises two keels that form an angle of about 180 degrees relative to each other.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises two keels that form an angle of about 180 degrees relative to each other, and wherein the neck is perpendicular to said keels to form a “

T”

shape.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a polymer and the anchor comprises titanium.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device and the anchor form a unitary construct.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a barrier.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a mesh.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a patch.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a collapsible implant.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the anchor or the prosthetic device is expandable.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising expanding at least one of the anchor or the prosthetic device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment site comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of:

a fabric, a wire, a linkage, a fastener component, a hook eye, a loop, and a plate.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the defect is naturally occurring.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the defect is surgically created.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the anchor and the prosthetic device are integral.

16. A method of establishing an anchor along a bone surface comprising:

identifying a first bone surface adjacent to a second bone surface, wherein said first and second surfaces are offset substantially perpendicular to each other and form an intersection defining a corner or angle;

providing an anchor with a neck and at least one keel,

wherein said neck comprises a length defined by a leading edge and a trailing end,

wherein said neck comprises a bottom portion terminating in at least one keel,

wherein said neck further comprises an attachment site; and

wherein said anchor is configured to provide a larger surface area below the second bone surface, thereby offering pull-out resistance;

positioning said anchor relative to said intersection such that at least a portion of the attachment site of said anchor is flush or beyond the intersection and at least a portion of the leading edge is adjacent the first bone surface;

driving the leading edge into the first bone surface while simultaneously advancing the attachment portion across the second bone surface such that the leading edge is driven into the first bone surface along a trajectory that is substantially parallel to the second bone surface; and

countersinking said trailing end within said first bone surface, thereby positioning the anchor such that the neck is proud of the second bone surface and the keel is entirely below or embedded within said second bone surface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling a prosthetic device to the attachment site.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

identifying a defect in the tissue adjacent the second bone surface;

coupling a prosthetic device to the anchor,

wherein the prosthetic device comprises a barrier, mesh, patch, or collapsible implant; and

positioning the prosthetic device to close said defect.