Method and apparatus for attaching tissue to bone, including the provision and use of a novel knotless suture anchor system, including a retractable sheath
First Claim
1. Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising:
- an anchor, the anchor comprising;
an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the proximal section of the lumen;
a window extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the window being disposed in the vicinity of an intersection between the distal section of the lumen and the proximal section of the lumen and being sized to receive a first object therein;
an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body, the elongated element comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and
a locking element mounted to the distal end of the elongated element and disposed in the distal section of the lumen;
whereby, when the elongated body is disposed in a second object, and a first object extends through the window, and the locking element is thereafter moved proximally, proximal movement of the locking element causes the elongated body to capture the first object to the elongated body, whereby to secure the first object to the second object; and
an inserter, the inserter comprising;
a handle;
a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, with a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft being mounted to the handle and the distal end of the shaft being configured to releasably engage the elongated body;
a retractable sheath disposed movably coaxially about the shaft; and
a movable tab mounted to the proximal end of the retractable sheath for moving the retractable sheath relative to the shaft.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for securing a suture to a bone, the apparatus including an anchor configured to have the suture connected thereto; and an inserter for manipulating the anchor, the inserter including a handle; a shaft mounted to the handle and configured to releasably hold the anchor thereto; a retractable sheath movably mounted to the handle, the retractable sheath having a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein the retractable sheath is disposed coaxially over at least a portion of the anchor when the retractable sheath is in its first extended position, and the retractable sheath is withdrawn from the anchor when the retractable sheath is in its second retracted position; and an outer tube mounted to the handle, the outer tube being disposed coaxially over the retractable sheath.
352 Citations
27 Claims
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1. Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising:
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an anchor, the anchor comprising; an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the proximal section of the lumen; a window extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the window being disposed in the vicinity of an intersection between the distal section of the lumen and the proximal section of the lumen and being sized to receive a first object therein; an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body, the elongated element comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a locking element mounted to the distal end of the elongated element and disposed in the distal section of the lumen; whereby, when the elongated body is disposed in a second object, and a first object extends through the window, and the locking element is thereafter moved proximally, proximal movement of the locking element causes the elongated body to capture the first object to the elongated body, whereby to secure the first object to the second object; and an inserter, the inserter comprising; a handle; a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, with a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft being mounted to the handle and the distal end of the shaft being configured to releasably engage the elongated body; a retractable sheath disposed movably coaxially about the shaft; and a movable tab mounted to the proximal end of the retractable sheath for moving the retractable sheath relative to the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for securing a suture to a bone, the apparatus comprising:
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an anchor configured to have the suture connected thereto; and an inserter for manipulating the anchor, the inserter comprising; a handle; a shaft mounted to the handle and configured to releasably hold the anchor thereto; a retractable sheath movably mounted to the handle, the retractable sheath having a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein the retractable sheath is disposed coaxially over at least a portion of the anchor when the retractable sheath is in its first extended position, and the retractable sheath is withdrawn from the anchor when the retractable sheath is in its second retracted position; and an outer tube fixedly mounted to the handle, the outer tube being disposed coaxially over the retractable sheath. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for securing a first object to a second object, the method comprising:
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providing apparatus comprising; an anchor, the anchor comprising; an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the proximal section of the lumen; a window extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the window being disposed in the vicinity of an intersection between the distal section of the lumen and the proximal section of the lumen and being sized to receive a first object therein; an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body, the elongated element comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a locking element mounted to the distal end of the elongated element and disposed in the distal section of the lumen; and an inserter, the inserter comprising; a handle; a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, with a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft being mounted to the handle and the distal end of the shaft being configured to releasably engage the elongated body; a retractable sheath disposed movably coaxially about the shaft; and a movable tab mounted to the proximal end of the retractable sheath for moving the retractable sheath relative to the shaft; extending the first object through the window of the elongated body; using the inserter to position the elongated body in the second object; and moving the locking element proximally, such that proximal movement of the locking element causes the elongated body to capture the first object to the elongated body, whereby to secure the first object to the second object. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for securing a suture to a bone, the method comprising:
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providing apparatus comprising; an anchor configured to have the suture connected thereto; and an inserter for manipulating the anchor, the inserter comprising; a handle; a shaft mounted to the handle and configured to releasably hold the anchor thereto; a retractable sheath movably mounted to the handle, the retractable sheath having a first extended position and a second retracted position, wherein the retractable sheath is disposed coaxially over at least a portion of the anchor when the retractable sheath is in its first extended position, and the retractable sheath is withdrawn from the anchor when the retractable sheath is in its second retracted position; and an outer tube fixedly mounted to the handle, the outer tube being disposed coaxially over the retractable sheath; connecting the suture to the anchor; and using the inserter to position the anchor in the bone, whereby to secure the suture to the bone. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification