Method for tissue fixation

Abstract

A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.

Description

INTRODUCTION

Trauma or disease in soft tissue, such as cartilage, ligament, or muscle can cause tears or detachment from bone or other defects that can be repaired by reattaching or securing the soft tissue to the bone. Various devices and methods are known for attaching and securing soft tissue to bone.

The present teachings provide a versatile tissue fixation method that can be used with various bone anchors or other implantable fixation members to attach soft tissue to bone or any tissue to other tissue.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide a method for securing a strand to at least one fixation member for a surgical procedure, wherein the fixation member includes an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and moving the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.

The present teachings provide a method for securing a strand to a plurality of anchors for a surgical procedure. The method includes inserting a plurality of anchors into the bone, passing a flexible strand having first and second ends through a plurality of flexible sleeves serially coupled on the strand, passing each sleeve in a first configuration into and through an aperture of a corresponding anchor in a first direction, deforming each sleeve to a second configuration, and tying a single knot at the first and second ends of the strand.

The present teachings provide a method for securing a strand to a plurality of bone anchors for a surgical procedure. The method includes passing a flexible strand slidably through a plurality of flexible sleeves, forming a single slipknot on a portion of the strand outside all the sleeves, the slipknot the defining a closed loop, knotlessly securing each sleeve into a corresponding bone anchor, and reducing a length of the loop.

Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a connector device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another connector device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of another connector device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1, shown prior to engagement with a representative aperture;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1C, shown prior to engagement with a representative aperture;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1, shown in engagement with a representative aperture;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1C, shown in engagement with a representative aperture;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a series of interconnected connector devices according to the present teachings;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the connector device of FIG. 1, shown with a first anchor;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the connector device of FIG. 1, shown with a second anchor;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the connector device of FIG. 1, shown with a third anchor;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the connector device of FIG. 1, shown with a fourth anchor; and

FIG. 9 is an exemplary method of using a series of interconnected connector devices for securing soft tissues to bone.

FIGS. 10A-15 represent various suture constructions coupled to a hollow fixation element;

FIGS. 16A-18C represent alternate fasteners and suture constructions according to the teachings of one embodiment;

FIGS. 19A-20 represent an alternate fastener and suture construction;

FIGS. 21-24 represent an alternate fastener and suture construction according to the present teachings;

FIGS. 25A and 25B represent two-part fasteners and suture construction; and

FIGS. 26A-26C represent the insertion of the fastener shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present teachings, applications, or uses. The present teachings can be used for various orthopedic applications including coupling bone to bone, bone to soft tissue, soft tissue repair, and generally attaching soft tissue to bone, or attaching suture or other anchors to bone, or any other tissue repair procedure. The present teachings can also be used for repairing any fibrous tissue, such as muscle, ligament or tendon in an arthroscopic or other open procedure, including rotator cuff reconstruction, acromioclavicular (AC) reconstruction, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) and generally for fastening tendons, grafts, or strands to fibrous tissue and bone. Additionally, the present teachings can be used for repairing tissue in cardiological, laparoscopic, urological, plastic, blood vessels, annulus of spine or other procedures.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary connector device 101 that can be used for attaching soft tissue to bone is illustrated. The connector device 101 can include a flexible tubular sleeve or tube 100 having an inner bore 106 that extends between first and second open ends 102, 104. The sleeve 100 can be made of resorbable or non-resorbable materials, including braided suture, sponges and sponge-like, perforated materials, woven/braided from biocompatible materials or fibers, such as, for example, polymer, polyester, polyethylene, cotton, silk, or other natural or synthetic materials. The sleeve 100 can be made of suture material braided from thin filaments into a form that does not include a core filament. The sleeve 100 can have a generally flaccid shape that can be manipulated in different configurations like a piece of string or shoelace, for example. Accordingly, the sleeve 100 can be bent, folded or otherwise manipulated or deformed into various configurations, such as a bent or U-shape configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B, or a substantially straight configuration shown in FIG. 4, or a deformed or bunched-up, puckered configuration, such as the ball-like configuration shown in FIG. 3, or the bell-like shaped shown in FIG. 3A, as discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C the connector device 101 can also include an elongated flexible strand 120 having first and second ends 122, 124. The strand 120 can pass axially through the bore 106 of the sleeve 100, such that the first and second strand ends 122, 124 exit the corresponding first and second ends 102, 104 of the sleeve 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In one aspect, the strand 120 can exit the bore 106 through at least one opening 140 of the sleeve 100 intermediate the first and second ends 102, 104 of the sleeve, as shown in FIG. 1A. In another aspect, the strand 120 can exit the bore 106 through two openings 140 of the sleeve 100 intermediate the first and second ends 102, 104 of the sleeve 100, as shown in FIG. 1C. First and second end portions or sleeve legs 103, 105, are defined between each end 104, 102 and the corresponding opening 140. In another aspect, the strand 120 can pass through openings 142, 144, 146, 148, such that an intermediate portion of the strand 120 is outside the bore 106, as shown in FIG. 1B.

The strand 120 can also be made of materials similar to the sleeve 100, such as braided filaments or fibers of biocompatible material, including natural and synthetic fibers, such as cotton, silk, polymer, polyester, polyethylene, thin wire, suture, and other materials. The strand 120 can also be in the form of a flat tubular suture or a braided suture with or without a core. The connector device 101 with the sleeve 100 and strand 120 are implantable in soft tissue or bone.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3A, a general procedure for using the connector device 101 is illustrated. The sleeve 100 with the strand 120 therethrough can be folded and pushed through on orifice 72 or other aperture defined through a support 70 in the direction of arrow “A”, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The strand ends of 122, 124 can be connected with a knot 130, such as slipknot, forming a strand loop 128 passing through the bore 106 of the sleeve 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, pulling on one of the strand ends 122, 124, shortens the length of the strand loop 128 and the tension causes the sleeve 100 to change configuration, bunching up from a folded and/or flaccid configuration to a bunched-up, ball-like configuration that cannot pass through the orifice 72, such that the strand 120 can be secured on the support 70. In this configuration, the strand ends 122, 124 and the sleeve 100 remain on opposite sides of the orifice 72.

Similarly, and referring to FIGS. 2A and 3A, pulling on one of the strand ends 122, 124, shortens the length of the strand loop 128 and the tension causes the sleeve 100 to change configuration, bunching up from a folded and/or flaccid configuration to a bunched-up bell-like shape with the legs 103, 105 extended outward and pressed against the support 70. In this configuration, the sleeve 100 cannot pass through the orifice 72 in the direction of the arrow A′. The strand ends 122, 124 and the sleeve 100 remain on opposite sides of the orifice 72, and the legs 103, 105 provide additional resistance for securing the strand 120 to the support 70.

The orifice 72 can be of any shape, including any regular or irregular closed curves or polygons, or combination thereof, including circular elliptical, oval, triangular, tetragonal, hexagonal, lobed, or other shapes. The shape and size of the orifice 72 is such that the sleeve 100 in its bent shape deforms sufficiently to slide through the orifice 72 when introduced along one direction A. Once the sleeve 100 passes through and out of the orifice 72 and returns to its undeformed flaccid configuration, the sleeve 100 will bunch up against the orifice 72 when directed or pulled in the opposite direction A′, as the ends 102, 104 of the sleeve 100, or the sleeve legs 103, 105, and/or deformed shape are caught against the support 70. It is noted that the strand 120 can still slide relative to the sleeve 100 and the orifice 72, therefore the orifice 72 can act effectively as an anchor eyelet.

The support 70 can be soft tissue, bone, implant, anchor or other threaded or unthreaded implantable fixation member such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 at 200. The fixation members are generically referenced with numeral 200 or specifically with reference numerals 200a-200d. The connector device 101 and the fixation member 200 can form an implantable fixation assembly that can be used for securing soft tissue to bone, as further discussed below in connection with FIG. 9.

It will be appreciated that the connector device 101 can be used as a versatile suture lock that is easy to use, avoids knot-tying, and saves time during the surgical procedure. Further, as the flexible strand 120 is held against the support 70, the flexible strand 120 is prevented from pulling through without being knot-tied to the support 70. It is estimated that the flexible strand 120 can withstand a pulling force greater than that in a knot tied in the same-sized strand.

Any of the connector devices 101 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, or combinations thereof, can be used with a fixation member 200 for fastening any type of ligaments, grafts or sutures, and can be used, for example, for rotator cuff repair for the shoulder, for acromioclavicular (AC) joint reconstruction, for tibial graft fixation, for ACL reconstruction, and generally for fastening tendons or grafts and sutures to tissue, including soft tissue and bone. In many of such shoulder repair procedures, a tendon is secured to the bone with many suture anchors requiring repeated knot-tying. Such knot-tying is cumbersome and time consuming during an arthroscopic procedure, as it is generally performed through an insertion cannula that is used to deliver the suture anchor. As discussed below, the connector device 101 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9 can be used to secure multiple suture anchors or other fixation members 200 without individual knots for each fixation member 200, and with only one final knot 130 for the entire series of fixation members 200 outside the cannula. Moreover, the knot 130 that forms the single loop 128 of the flexible strand 120 can be pre-tied.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fixation member 200 can be in the form of an externally threaded open-ended tubular member 200a and can include a body 218 having an open-ended longitudinal bore 212 interrupted by a cross-wall 214. The wall 214 defines a through-slot or other aperture 210 substantially coaxial with the bore 212. The sleeve 100 can pass through the aperture 210 in a folded configuration in the direction of arrow A, while the strand ends 122, 124 of the strand 120 remaining outside the fixation member 200. The sleeve 100 can be held against the wall 214 in a bunched-up (ball or bell-like) configuration when pulled by the strand 120 in the direction A′. In the same manner, a plurality of sleeves 100 strung together in a single loop 128 of a single strand 120, as shown in FIG. 4, can be secured to a corresponding plurality of fixation members 200, without requiring individual knots, as shown in FIG. 9 and discussed below. Using a plurality of sleeves 100 in a single loop 128 allows a fast and efficient procedure of creating a suture mat for attaching soft tissue 80 to bone 84 in multiple locations without having to tie knots arthroscopically through a cannula for each individual fixation member 200.

Referring to FIG. 6, the fixation member 200 can be an implant in the form of a tubular anchor 200b having a body 218 and include a longitudinal bore 212 closed at one end with a pointed anchoring tip 202. The anchoring tip 202 can be integrally or removably coupled to the body 218. The anchoring tip 202 can include a longitudinal extension 216 received in the bore 212. The extension 216 can define an aperture 210 substantially parallel with the bore 212. The sleeve 100 can be passed through the aperture 210 in the direction of arrow A, such that the strand 120 passes through the aperture 210, through the bore 212 and exits the fixation member 200. The sleeve 100 can be held between a wall of the bore 212 and the extension 216 in a bunched-up (ball or bell-like) configuration after the strand 120 is pulled away from the fixation member 200 in another direction, such as the direction of arrow A′. It should be appreciated that the directions A and A′ need not be opposite. Pulling in any direction A′ that will cause the strand 120 to tension can suffice. Although FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate examples of an aperture 210 that is respectively coaxially or perpendicularly oriented relative to the bore 212 of the fixation member 200, it will be appreciated that the aperture 210 is not limited to these orientations. The fixation member 200b can also be used in a single loop 128 with multiple similar or different fixation members 200 for attaching soft tissue 80 to bone 84 in multiple locations, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 7, the fixation member 200 can be an implant in the form of harpoon-type anchor 200c having a pointed anchoring tip 202. The fixation member 200 can include a central body 218 defining an aperture 210. The sleeve 100 can be passed through the aperture 210 in the direction of arrow A. The strand 120 can form a loop 128 passing through the aperture 210 in the direction of arrow A. The strand ends 122, 124 can be pulled away from the fixation member 200 in the direction of arrow A′, such that the sleeve 100 is held against the body 218 in a bunched-up (ball or bell-like) configuration. The fixation member 200c can also be used in a single loop 128 with multiple similar or different fixation members 200 for attaching soft tissue 80 to bone 84 in multiple locations, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 8, the fixation member 200 can be an implant in the form of an externally threaded suture anchor 200d having a body 218 with an anchoring tip 202 and including a longitudinal bore 212 extending from a proximal end 206 to a distal eyelet 204. The sleeve 100 can be passed through the eyelet 204, the bore 212 and the aperture 210 defined at proximal end 206 of the bore 212 in the direction of arrow A. The strand 120 can form a loop 128 passing through the bore 212 and exiting the eyelet 204. The strand ends 122, 124 can be pulled away from the fixation member 200 in the direction of arrow A′, such that the sleeve 200 can be secured against the proximal end 206 in a bunched-up (ball or bell-like) configuration. The fixation member 200d can also be used in a single loop 128 with multiple similar or different fixation members 200 for attaching soft tissue 80 to bone 84 in multiple locations, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The connector device 101 can be pushed through the aperture in the fixation member 200 using an inserter, such as the inserter 300 shown in FIG. 9 and the inserter described and shown in FIGS. 8A-9B and 13-15 of the cross-referenced patent application Ser. No. 11/347,661 filed on Feb. 3, 2006, although other inserters can also be used. The sleeves 100 of the connector device 101 can be coupled to corresponding fixation members 200, either before or after the fixation members 200 are secured in the bone 84.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, a series of sleeves 100 can be strung along a single loop or chain 128 of the strand 120 without other knots except a single slipknot 130 coupling the strand ends 122, 1224. Each sleeve 100 can be inserted in a corresponding prepared bone bore 84 or in a corresponding fixation member 200 to attach soft tissue 80 to a bone 84. It will be appreciated that identical or different fixation members 200, such as, for example, fixation members 200a-200d, can be used for securing the corresponding sleeves 100, and one or more fixation members 200 can be omitted, such that the sleeve 100 is secured directly in a bone bore 86 without using a fixation member 200. Some exemplary options are illustrated in a single illustration in FIG. 9.

It will be appreciated that the sleeve 100 can be inserted or secured to the fixation member 200 either before or after the fixation member 200 has been implanted into the bone 84. For example, the sleeve 100 can be secured to the fixation member 200 prior to bone implantation, either manually or by using an inserter, such as the inserter 300 that includes a tip 302 and a hook 304 in which the sleeve can be supported in a folded, U-shape configuration with the strand 120 therethrough. Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 9 in connection with the fixation member 200a, the fixation member 200a can first be implanted into bone 84. The tip 302 of the inserter 300 with the sleeve 100 thereon can be pushed through the aperture 210 of the fixation member 200a in the direction of arrow A.

Referring to FIG. 9 and in connection with the exemplary fixation member 200c, another method of securing the sleeve 100 to the fixation member 200c, after the fixation member 200c is implanted, is illustrated. Specifically, an auxiliary flexible member or string 250 in the form of a monofilament made of polyethylene, polyester, silk, or other biocompatible fiber or thin string-like material can be looped around the sleeve 100 and passed through the aperture 210 of the fixation member 200c. Pulling the auxiliary member 250 in the direction of arrow “B” causes the sleeve 100 and portion of the strand 120 to pass through the aperture 210 in a folded configuration. The auxiliary member 250 can be then pulled out and completely removed from the sleeve 100 and fixation member 200c. The sleeve 100 can be secured to the fixation member 200c in a bunched-up (ball or bell-like) configuration by pulling on the ends 122, 124 of the strand loop 128 to shorten the loop 128, as described above. In another aspect, the auxiliary flexible member 250 can be looped through openings 150, 152 of the sleeve 100, as shown in FIG. 1B.

With continued reference to FIG. 9, fixation member 200d is shown implanted in bone bore 86 with the sleeve 100 shown in a bunched-up (ball or bell-like) configuration. Another fixation member 200d′ is illustrated before implantation into the bone bore 86. The fixation member 200d′ can be coupled to a cannulated or other fixation-member inserter 270 for insertion through an incision or other opening 82 in soft tissue 80 and into a bone bore 86. The opening 82 can be pre-formed with another surgical instrument or by the pointed tip 202 of the fixation member 200d′ as it is pushed through the soft tissue 80. Similarly, the bone bore 86 can be pre-formed, or created by the threaded fixation member 200d′ as it is threadably inserted into the bone 84. An auxiliary member 250 can be used to manipulate the sleeve 100 and secure the sleeve 100 into the fixation member 200d′, as described above in connection with fixation member 200c. The auxiliary member 250 can be looped around the sleeve 100 and passed through the eyelet 204 into the bore 212 and out of the aperture 210 at the proximal end 206. The sleeve 100 can be pulled through the eyelet 204, the bore 212 and aperture 210 by pulling the auxiliary member 250 in the direction of the arrow B either before or after implantation of the fixation member 200d′ into the bone 84.

After all the sleeves 100 have been secured to the corresponding fixation members 200, the single loop 128 is tightened by pulling one of the strand ends 122, 124 relative to slipknot 130. In this manner, tissue to tissue attachment in multiple locations without the need of individual knots for each location is conveniently performed, thus avoiding the need of tying individual knots through cannulas for each fixation member 200. The procedure can be used for any tissue to tissue attachment, including, but not limited to, various arthroscopic procedures, such as, for example, rotator cuff repair, acromioclavicular reconstruction, and other procedures for which multiple anchor fixation can be beneficial. The procedure can be performed efficiently by simply passing by pulling or pushing the connector device 101 through an aperture or eyelet of the anchor or other fixation member 200 in one direction and then tensioning or pulling the strand 120 of the connector device 101 in the another direction for a knotless attachment of the strand 120 to the fixation member 200. The pull-out strength of the attachment can be a function of the strand size, but greater than using a mere strand with a knot.

Generally, and described above, the connector device 101 including one or more sleeves 100 can be to secure a strand 120, such as a suture to soft tissue 80 or bone, and to attach soft tissue to bone. Any of the connector devices 101 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B and 1C, can be used with or without a fixation member 200 and with or without an inserter 300 and with or without an auxiliary member 250 for manipulation the sleeve 100, although only the connector 101 of FIG. 1 is shown in the exemplary illustrations of FIGS. 4-9. Accordingly, a fixation assembly kit can be provided that includes, for example, a plurality of sleeves 100, a cartridge of continuous stand 120 or separate pieces of strand 120, a cartridge or separate pieces of auxiliary member material, one or more inserters, various fixation members 200, and one or more fixation member inserters 270. The sleeves 100 and strand 120 can be provided preloaded on one or more inserters 300. When a fixation member 200 is used, the fixation member 200 can be provided preloaded on a fixation member inserter 270. The connector device 101 allows tissue to tissue attachment in multiple locations without the need of individual knots for each location. After multiple-location attachment is performed, the single loop 128 is tightened by pulling one of the strand ends 122, 124 relative to slipknot 130.

With general reference to FIGS. 10A-15, shown is a fastener 300 which is coupled to a bore 302 defined within a bone 304. The fastener 300 defines a suture accepting aperture 306 and a suture accepting channel 308. In this regard, the suture accepting channel 308 is defined on an exterior surface of the fastener 300 and can intersect the aperture 306. Coupled to the fastener 300 is a suture construction 310 as previously described.

The fastener 300 has an exterior surface having a bone engaging flange 313. This bone engaging flange 313 can be a helical thread which circumscribes a central axis 319 defining the fastener 300. The suture construction 310 is fed in a first direction through the suture accepting aperture 306. Optionally, defined adjacent a suture bearing surface 317 of the fastener 300, is a portion of the suture accepting aperture having a restricted diameter 316. As will be described further below, the restricted diameter 316 and bearing surface 317 are configured to engage first and second ends of the flexible sleeve 312 to facilitate the collapsing or change in cross-section of the flexible sleeve 312 when the flexible sleeve 312 is pulled in a second direction. This allows the locking engagement of the suture construction 310 to the fastener 300.

Shown in FIGS. 10A-11B are fasteners 300 engaged within the bore 302 in bone 304. Shown are sutures 310 fed through the suture accepting aperture 306 and then through the channel 308 which is defined in the exterior surface of the fastener 300 and/or within the bone engaging flange 313. As shown in FIGS. 12A-15, the flexible sleeve can be positioned within the suture accepting channel 308 prior to the insertion of the fastener 300 within the bore 302 defined in the bone 304. Upon application of tension to the single or multiple suture strands 310, the suture can be translated in the second direction through the aperture 306 having a restricted diameter 316 to cause engagement of and subsequent collapsing of the flexible sleeve 312. This collapsed sleeve 312 has a second cross-section which allows for the interference of the threads within the bore 302 defined in the bone 304, thus restricting the rotation of the fastener 300 within the bore 302. Further, the collapsing of the tube 312 allows for the fixing of the suture 310 to the fastener 300.

As best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the suture accepting aperture 306 can have various profiles. In this regard, the suture accepting aperture 306 can have a first portion having a first diameter 320 and a second portion 322 having a second diameter smaller than the first portion. This first portion 320 can define a chamber 323 which functions to accept the collapsed flexible sleeve. Additionally, the channel 308 can be sized so as to allow the collapse of the flexible sleeve 312 in a manner which would not restrict the rotation of the fastener 300 within the bore 302 defined within the bone. Drive surfaces can additionally be formed within the chamber 323.

With general reference to FIGS. 16A-18C, shown are an alternate fastener 330 which is used to couple suture 310 to a bone 304. The fastener 330 has a central suture accepting aperture 306 which is generally defined along a central axis 319 of the fastener 330. Additionally, defined generally perpendicular to the center line of the fastener is a second suture accepting aperture 306′. The fastener 330 has a plurality of bone engaging flanges 332 which are radially disposed about the central axis 319. The bone engaging flanges 332 can be formed generally perpendicular to the central axis 319.

As best seen in FIGS. 16B-18B, the fastener 330 can have a generally conical shape to facilitate the insertion of the fastener 330 within the bore 302. This conical shape can also be defined on the exterior surface of the bone engaging flanges 332. Defined within the bone engaging flanges 332 or an exterior surface of the fastener 330 can be a pair of suture or flexible sleeve accepting channels 334. Prior to insertion of the fastener 330 into the bore 302, either of the suture and/or a non-compressed flexible sleeve 312 can be positioned within the channels 334.

The fastener 330 can be liner or rotatably inserted into the bore 302. After insertion of the fastener 330 within the bore 302, tension is applied to one or more of the suture strands 310 to cause the movement of the flexible sleeve 312 in a first direction. This causes the flexible sleeve 312 to engage a bearing surface 317 of the fastener 330. The engagement of the flexible sleeve 312 with the bearing surface 317 causes the collapse of the flexible sleeve as been previously described. This functions to lock the suture 310 to fastener 330 and to increase retention forces between the fastener 330 and the bore 302.

FIGS. 19A-20 represent an alternate fastener 340 coupled to a suture 310. The fastener 340 has a suture accepting bore 306 defined therein. This bore 306 can have portions which are parallel to and/or perpendicular to a central axis 319 defining the fastener body. The exterior of the fastener defines a channel or cutout 308 which functions to accept the collapsible sleeve 312 threaded onto the suture 310. This cutout 308 can be accessible through the bore 302 once the fastener 340 is inserted.

FIGS. 19C and 20 depict cross-sectional and side views of the fastener 340 inserted within a bore 302 defined within bone 304. Once tension is applied to the collapsible sleeve 312 and suture 310, the sleeve 312 is pulled into a pocket defined by the channel or cutout 308. This collapsible sleeve 312 can bear upon an interior surface of the bore 302 as well as the channel or cutout 308 to lock a suture 310 to the fastener 340, as well as aid in the fixation of construct in bone. Also shown are bone engaging flanges 342 which couple the fastener to bone 304.

As seen in FIGS. 21-24, an alternate anchor 340 is positioned within an aperture 302. The anchor 340 is rotated within the aperture 302 to engage the bone. Application of tension to an end or ends of the suture 310 can cause the anchor 340 to rotate and engage the bone. The alternate suture anchor 340 is coupled to a suture 310 and a collapsible sleeve 312. Optionally, the anchor 340 can take the form a generally flat cylinder or tube having a bone engaging surface 342 and a suture accepting bore 344 therethrough. While shown as a disk, it is envisioned the anchor 340 can have an elongated profile.

Application of tension to an end or ends of the suture construction 310 can cause the anchor 340 to rotate and engage the bone and to cause the collapse of the flexible sleeve 312. This fixably couples the suture 310 to the anchor 340 as well as the bone 304.

FIGS. 25A and 25B represent a fastener 348 having first and second portions 350, 352. Additionally shown is an insertion tool 354 which is used to facilitate the first and second fastener portions 350, 352 into an aperture 302 defined within a bone 304. The first portion of the fastener 348 has a head 358 which can have a generally conical shape. Additionally, the head 358 can have a bearing surface which functions, to constrain the movement of the suture construction 310 and/or the collapsible flexible tube 312.

The second fastener portion 352 has an interior portion 308 which can facilitate the acceptance of the flexible sleeve 312. Defined on an outer surface of the second portion 352 can be a plurality of bone engaging flanges 360. Optionally, the second portion can have an expandable member 362 which facilitates the engagement of the flanges 360 into the bone 304 upon the coupling of the first and second portions 350, 352. For installation, a central tool 354 has a pair of apertures with suture ends 310 threaded therethrough. The suture 310 can have a pair of flexible sleeves 312 being mounted thereon. These flexible sleeves 312 are optionally threaded through the suture accepting bore 306 defined within the first portion 350 of the two portion fastener 348.

FIG. 25B represents an assembled two component fastener 348 shown in FIG. 25A. In this regard, the first portion 350 is disposed within the central aperture 351 in the second portion fastener 352. As can be seen, the suture 310 is disposed between the first and second portions 350, 352. Application of tension to the suture 310 causes the collapse of the flexible sleeve 312 and associated locking of the suture construction 310 to the fastener 348.

With general reference to FIGS. 26A-27, shown is the insertion of a two-part fastener 348 according to the present teachings. Shown is the first portion 350 having a tapered smooth exterior surface, and a second fastener portion 352 having a plurality of movable bone engaging flanges 362. A pair of apertures 306 defined within the first fastener 350 accept the suture 310 and flexible sleeve 312.

As best shown in FIGS. 26B and 26C, the first and second portions of the fastener 350, 352 are fed over an insertion tool 354. Disposed on the first portion 350 of the fastener 348 is a suture 310 having the flexible sleeve 312 threaded thereon. Threaded through an optional pair of apertures 311 within the first fastener portion 350 is a pair of ends of the suture 310. These ends are then threaded through a central bore or a slot defined in the second fastener portion 352.

After the insertion of the fastener 348 into a bore 302 defined within the bone 304, the second fastener portion 302 is coupled to the first fastener portion 305. This coupling optionally causes an expansion of the bone engaging flanges 362. Tension can be applied to the ends of the suture 310 to cause the compression of the flexible member 312. This collapsing of the flexible member can then lock the suture 310 to the first and/or second portions of the fastener 350, 352.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings as defined in the following claims. For example, multiple fixation members can be inserted in bone and can be coupled to suture anchors as described. The suture anchors can be coupled to the anchors before or after the anchors are coupled to the bone.

Claims

1. A method of implanting a suture anchor assembly into a bone, the method comprising: inserting a flexible sleeve anchor in combination with a suture that extends at least partly through a longitudinal bore in the flexible sleeve anchor into the bone so that: (i) the flexible sleeve anchor resides fully within the bone proximate a distal end of a hole formed in the bone; (ii) a first free end and a second free end of the suture remain outside the hole formed in the bone; and (iii) an elongated fastening member of the suture anchor assembly is kept outside the hole formed in the bone, wherein the flexible sleeve anchor comprises a flexible sleeve formed with a braided or woven material;applying tension to at least one of the first free end and the second free end of the suture to deform the flexible sleeve anchor from a first shape to a second shape inside the hole formed in the bone; anddriving the elongated fastening member into the hole formed in the bone toward the flexible sleeve anchor so that exterior surfaces of the elongated fastening member engage interior surfaces of the hole formed in the bone.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting the suture to a soft tissue.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the soft tissue includes rotator cuff tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bone is in a shoulder of a patient.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongated fastening member is cannulated for receipt of an insertion tool therethrough.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to said driving, the elongated fastening member is received on an insertion tool that extends into the hole formed in the bone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the elongated fastening member is driven into the hole while received on the insertion tool.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to said driving, an insertion tool extends to the flexible sleeve anchor inside the hole formed in the bone.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, following said driving step, the first free end and the second free end of the suture extend through a central bore in the elongated fastening member.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, following said driving step, the first free end and the second free end of the suture extend through a slot in the elongated fastening member.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, following said driving step, the suture is locked to the elongated fastening member inside the hole formed in the bone.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the suture is locked to the elongated fastening member without tying any knots.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the suture extends longitudinally through the longitudinal bore in the flexible sleeve anchor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal bore extends from a first open end of the flexible sleeve anchor to a second open end of the flexible sleeve anchor, and wherein the suture extends through the first open end, through the longitudinal bore, and through the second open end in the flexible sleeve anchor.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the suture additionally extends through a side wall of the flexible sleeve anchor.