Patent Application
20080306510
This invention relates to suture devices, more particularly, a fixation suture device that permits a user to quickly and easily fixate a suture without the need to tie conventional suture knots.
As with any medical procedure wherein a patient undergoes surgery, there is always concern relating to the amount of time the wound is exposed and the length of time spent under anesthesia. Thus, time is of the essence when operating on a patient.
Currently, arthroscopic rotator cuff operations are commonly performed for rotator cuff tears wherein a central point on the greater tuberosity is commonly found to be the symmetrical origin of the tear. The rotator cuff tear is repaired by using a plurality of sutures which are inserted through the rotator cuff tendon, usually on the greater tuberosity, wherein the sutures are ultimately knotted to maintain tension on the rotator cuff tendon, thereby permitting a person to have function of the rotator cuff tendon once again. However, the act of tying knots and overall suture management is very time-consuming. In addition, the greater the number of sutures used, the more confusion is created when ultimately tying the suture knots.
There are currently devices on the market that are designed to pass suture tension and fixate the rotator cuff tendon without having to tie suture knots. However, the current devices are complicated, unreliable and, like all current techniques, often require multiple implants. In addition, the tension applied to the rotator cuff tendon is often uneven in distribution.
Therefore, due to these inefficiencies related to the suturing and fixation of the rotator cuff tendon, surgeons spend unneeded time and energy on this procedure and, more importantly, patients are exposed to an unnecessary amount of time under anesthesia.
Thus, a need exists for a fixation suture device and method that reduces the amount of time required to perform a rotator cuff repair procedure and provides a better fixation of the rotator cuff tendon without the need to tie conventional suture knots.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that reduces the amount of time to perform a rotator cuff repair and to provide a more secure fixation of a rotator cuff tendon.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that eliminates the need for tying suture knots.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that may be used on a variety of rotator cuff tear sizes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that reduces the amount of time the wound is exposed to the air, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and infection.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method the reduces the length of time a person is spent under anesthesia.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that permits a user to use a large number of sutures.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that permits a user to tension a rotator cuff tendon and fixate at least one suture in a single movement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that permits adjustment of the tension on the rotator cuff tendon.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that requires little arthroscopic skill.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixation suture device and method that permits fixation of a plurality of sutures wherein each suture is fixed independently from one another.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a fixation suture device wherein an anchor has a top, a core and a tip and at least one external thread located on the anchor core. An anchor aperture is located on the anchor, preferably on the tip of the anchor, for acceptance of at least one suture therethrough. The aperture may be of any shape or size.
To use the fixation suture device of the present invention, a surgeon first passes at least on suture end through a rotator cuff tendon at a location adjacent to a rotator cuff tear as is conventionally done when performing rotator cuff surgeries. Then, the at least one suture is passed through the anchor aperture and the tip of the anchor is positioned against a humerus, preferably via a handle and cannula. After positioning the tip of the anchor at a desired location on a humerus, the surgeon then pushes downward on the handle to provide a downward force on the anchor while pulling upward on the at least one suture in order to produce a desired tension on the rotator cuff tendon. Once the desired tension is achieved, the surgeon then rotates the anchor into the humerus while maintaining tension on the at least one suture. As the anchor is rotated deeper and deeper into the humerus, the at least one suture secured to the rotator cuff tendon wraps around the anchor core between the at least one external threads, thereby pulling the rotator cuff tendon closer and closer to the anchor. When the anchor top is in alignment with or located below the humerus, the at least one suture wraps around the at least one suture being held by the surgeon. Thus, the at least one suture is secured to the anchor and eliminates the need for the surgeon to tie a conventional suture knot. After the at least one suture is wrapped around itself and is thus secured, the surgeon cuts the excess ends of the at least one suture.
In addition, because the at least one suture is wrapped around the anchor core, the friction of the at least one suture on the anchor also aids in securing the at least one suture to the anchor.
Finally, because the anchor is installed within the humerus and the incline plane of the external threads compress the surrounding bone, the torque resistance of the anchor is increased. Thus, greater bone compression against the at least one suture is created, thereby further aiding in securement of the at least one suture to the anchor.
Alternative embodiments of the anchor include at least one anchor aperture being located on the anchor core, the anchor core being roughened and the anchor having a male or female head for acceptance of a male or female handle. In addition, notches may be used in place of the apertures.
In the alternative, a user may use the anchor in conjunction with a retaining cone having a substantially conical shape having an interior and exterior surface. A plurality of external threads are located on the exterior surface of the retaining cone while a plurality of internal threads are located on the interior surface of the retaining cone. An anchor opening is centrally located within the retaining cone for acceptance of the anchor and the internal threads encircle the anchor opening.
If using the retaining cone in conjunction with the anchor, a surgeon first passes at least one suture through the rotator cuff tendon as described above. Then, he/she installs the retaining cone into the humerus by rotating the retaining cone into the humerus. The anchor is then threaded as described above and inserted into the anchor opening. Because the internal threads of the anchor opening correspond to the external threads of the anchor, the anchor locks into the retaining cone when rotated.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
With reference to
A male head 7 is located on the anchor top 6 for accommodation of a handle 22 (as shown in
With respect to
In
With reference to
Next,
With reference to
After positioning the anchor tip 5 at a desired location on a humerus 21, the surgeon then pushes downward on the handle 22 to provide a downward force on the anchor 1 while pulling upward on the sutures 13 in order to maintain a desired tension on the rotator cuff tendon 14 as shown in
As the anchor 1 is rotated deeper and deeper into the humerus 21 as shown in
After formation of the wrap 24, the surgeon cuts the excess ends of the sutures 13 to result in a sutured and fixated rotator cuff tendon 14 as shown in
With respect to
In
Finally,
The use of the present invention will allow a surgeon to reduce the amount of time to perform a rotator cuff repair procedure and to provide a better fixation of the rotator cuff tendon.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
