Devices, systems and methods for material fixation

• US 20060155287A1
• Filed: 11/18/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cayenne Medical Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cayenne Medical Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Harper, Derek J., Montgomery, Kenneth D., Domingo, Nicanor, Fleischman, Sidney D., Whayne, James G., Wright, John, Crockett, Heber, Ohashi, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,651,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/13.140
• 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 2017/00862 elastic or resilient for sutures A61B2017/0618
• 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 2017/0435 the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• 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 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for fixation of tendon to bone are described. An exemplary surgical implant is a modified bone anchor that is able to grasp the tendon and hold it firmly in a bone tunnel. Once deployed, the anchor delivers lateral compression to the tendon, providing direct tendon to bone compression to facilitate healing. The anchor has different versions which allow it to be attached to the tendon prior to insertion into the bone tunnel, or be inserted between tendon arms when the surgical procedure dictates. The resulting tendon to bone compression allows for the firm fixation in a manner markedly simpler than traditional techniques. A modification of this anchor can also allow the anchor to grasp and hold suture. This variation facilitates the technique for knotless rotator cuff repair.

Claims

1. A device for connecting a soft material to a hard material, the device comprising:

a substantially non-cylindrical anchor that secures soft material thereto, the anchor adapted to stably attach to a hard material.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the soft material is a tendon and the hard material is a bone.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the anchor is attached to an interior space within the bone.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the anchor includes a wall that is moveable from an initial configuration as the anchor is introduced into the bone and a second configuration wherein the anchor is wedged within the bone.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the anchor further includes tabs to assist in the wedging of the anchor within the bone.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the anchor is positioned such that at least a portion of its outer wall pushes the tendon against the inside of the bone.

4. The device of claim 4, wherein the interior space within the bone comprises a hole within which the anchor is press fitted.

8. A device for connecting a tendon to bone, the device comprising:

an anchor that secures a tendon thereto;

wherein the anchor has moveable body portions that are moveable from a non-securing initial position used to move the anchor into a bone hole, and a securing second position used to stably attach the anchor to the bone.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a wedge for securing the anchor in its second position and preventing the moveable body portions from returning to the initial position.

10. A system of connecting a tendon to bone, the system comprising:

an anchor having a bone and tendon attached thereto such that the tendon-anchor-bone attachment is reversibly secure, and wherein said anchor has a substantially non-circular cross-section.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a deployment device for deploying the anchor into the bone.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor is attached to an interior space within the bone.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the interior space within the bone comprises a hole within which the anchor wedges.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor includes a wall that is moveable from an initial configuration as the anchor is introduced into the bone and a second configuration wherein the anchor is wedged within the bone.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor further includes tabs to assist in the wedging of the anchor within the bone.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor is positioned such that at least a portion of its outer wall pushes the tendon against the inside of the bone.

17. A system of connecting a tendon to bone, the system comprising:

means for anchoring a bone and tendon attached thereto such that the tendon-anchor-bone attachment is reversibly secure, and wherein said anchoring means has a substantially non-circular cross-section.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a means for deployment for deploying the anchoring means into the bone.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the anchoring means includes a wall that is moveable from an initial configuration as the anchor is introduced into the bone and a second configuration wherein the anchor is wedged within the bone.

20. A method of connecting tendon to bone, the method comprising:

removably supporting the tendon with a substantially non-cylindrical anchor; and

attaching the anchor to the bone.