Suture anchor having a suture engaging structure and inserter arrangement

Abstract

A suture anchor and inserter arrangement, including a suture anchor for implanting in hard tissue, such as bone, and an inserter device for installing the suture anchor in hard tissue. The suture anchor carries thereon a suture-engaging structure formed from suture, which structure cooperates with working suture associated with the inserter device so as to attach the working suture to the suture anchor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a suture anchor and inserter arrangement for use in fixing surgical suture to hard tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During some injuries, soft tissue, such as tendons or ligaments, can tear away from hard tissue, such as bone. Accordingly, it becomes necessary to reattach the soft tissue to the bone in order to facilitate the healing process. Various types of devices are used to reattach tissue, such as screws, staples and suture anchors. The instant invention relates to this latter type of attachment device.

Suture anchors may be inserted into a preformed hole made in the hard tissue, while other anchors are self-tapping. The anchors typically include an eyelet or other structure through which lengths of repair suture or working suture are threaded, which working suture is inserted simultaneously with the anchor into the hard tissue. In this regard, in some anchors, the eyelet is disposed exteriorly on the anchor, for example adjacent to or even forming part of a drive head located on the proximal end of the anchor, and in other anchors is formed interiorly within a bore defined inside the anchor. The eyelet may be formed from suture material, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,597, and in other instances is formed as a rigid and integral component of the anchor body, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,836. A further suture-engaging structure is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0222618, wherein the anchor incorporates a rigid pin disposed transversely across an interior bore defined in the anchor. In this variation, the working sutures are inserted into the proximal end of the anchor bore and looped over the pin to secure the suture to the anchor.

An inserter device or driver may be utilized in conjunction with the anchor to install or drive same into hard tissue and may carry such working sutures thereon. For the purpose of providing pull-out resistance once the anchor is installed, some anchors are exteriorly threaded, while others are ribbed or barbed to provide appropriate pull-out resistance.

The suture anchor according to the present invention includes an anchor body having a distal end configured for insertion into hard tissue and a proximal end spaced from the distal end. The anchor body carries thereon a suture engagement structure which cooperates with working suture to attach same to the suture anchor. The suture-engaging structure may, according to one embodiment, be defined by suture material, and may be formed as a continuous loop of suture material having a portion thereof located interiorly of the anchor, such that the working suture is looped over this interior portion of the suture loop to engage the working suture with the anchor.

The suture anchor according to the invention in one embodiment is configured for cooperation with an inserter or driver device. The inserter device includes a handle for manipulating the device and an inserter shaft which supports the suture anchor at the distal end thereof. The inserter device carries working sutures, which working sutures are engaged with the anchor via the suture engagement structure as discussed above, and then extend proximally either interiorly or exteriorly of the inserter device.

One possible use of the arrangement is in arthroscopic shoulder surgery, wherein the dislocation of soft tissue relative to the bone is a fairly common injury. However, this arrangement may also be utilized for the repair of small joints, such as the elbow, wrist, ankle, hand or foot. The arrangement may additionally be used to reattach small ligaments in the knee.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons familiar with arrangements of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the suture anchor and inserter arrangement according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partially-exploded perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the proximal end of the inserter device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective end view of the proximal end of the inserter device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the distal end of the inserter device.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective side view of the suture anchor with working sutures attached thereto.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective side view of the suture anchor rotated approximately 180° from the position shown in FIG. 6, showing the proximal end of the suture anchor.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the suture anchor.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the suture anchor, taken generally along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective side view of the suture anchor.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view illustrating the suture anchor being installed within a bone using the inserter device.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating the inserter device being pulled away from the suture anchor.

FIG. 13 is fragmentary view illustrating the attachment of the working sutures to soft tissue.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view illustrating the soft tissue fully attached to the bone.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective side view of the suture anchor with an alternative suture engagement structure.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective side view of the suture anchor with yet another alternative suture engagement structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center and designated parts of thereof. The word “distally” will refer to the direction towards the end of the arrangement located closest to the patient, and the word “proximally” will refer to the direction towards the end of the arrangement located remote from the patient. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a suture anchor and inserter arrangement 10 is illustrated which is generally elongated in shape and defines a central longitudinal axis “A”. The arrangement 10 generally includes a suture anchor 11 initially supported on an inserter device 12. Working sutures 13 extend through the inserter device 12 and cooperate with a suture-engaging structure 14 carried on the suture anchor 11.

The inserter device 12 is defined by an elongate and rigid inserter shaft 16 having a distal end 17 which engages the suture anchor 11, and a proximal end 18 fixed to a handle 19. Inserter shaft 16 includes a tubular sidewall 20 which defines a bore 21 extending throughout the longitudinal length of shaft 16 (FIG. 5). Handle 19 has an outer surface defining therein a series of axially or longitudinally extending recesses or depressions 22, wherein each circumferentially adjacent pair of recesses 22 are separated by a longitudinally extending projection 23. The alternating recesses 22 and projections 23 provide the handle 19 with a suitable gripping surface similar to a screwdriver for use when manipulating the arrangement 10 with the hand.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, handle 19 includes a generally annular flange 24 which defines the most proximal terminal end of handle 19. An annular recess 25 is located axially adjacent and distally of flange 24. Handle 19 defines therein a bore including a proximal bore portion 29 opening proximally or axially through flange 24, and a distal bore portion 30. Distal bore portion 30 is in communication with, and has a lesser diameter than, proximal bore portion 29 and extends distally therefrom throughout the longitudinal extent of handle 19 for communication with bore 21 of inserter shaft 20. Handle 19 additionally includes a transversely oriented wall 31 which defines the terminal distal extent of proximal bore portion 29, and through which wall 31 distal bore portion 30 opens for communication with proximal bore portion 29.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of slots 32 which cooperate with free ends of working sutures 13 are provided within the proximal end of handle 19 diametrically opposite one another. Slots 32 as shown are identical to one another, and only one of same will accordingly be described herein. Slot 32 opens sidewardly outwardly through an outermost side surface 33 of flange 24, axially through a terminal proximal end surface 34 of flange 24, and sidewardly inwardly for communication with proximal bore portion 29. Further, slot 32 extends distally a short distance from flange 24 so as to communicate with and open into annular recess 25 of handle 19.

With reference to FIG. 5, the distal end 17 of the inserter shaft 16 mounts thereon a projection 40. In the illustrated embodiment, projection 40 is polygonal in configuration so as to engage with the proximal end of the suture anchor 11. In one embodiment, the projection 40 has a rectangular cross-section. Projection 40 defines therein a centrally-located bore 41 which communicates with bore 21 of inserter shaft 16. It will be appreciated that other configurations of projection 40 are within the scope of the instant invention.

Turning now to suture anchor 11 as shown in FIGS. 6-10, same includes a generally elongate anchor body 50 defining a distal end 51 which is the end first inserted into the bone and a proximal end 52 associated with the distal end 17 of inserter shaft 16. A bore 53 centered on longitudinal axis A is defined within anchor body 50 and includes a distal portion 54 which terminates at an end face 55 and a proximal portion 56 which opens outwardly through the proximal end 52 of anchor 11. In the illustrated embodiment, proximal portion 56 of bore 53 is of a complementary polygonal profile as projection 40 of inserter device 12.

With reference to FIG. 9, anchor body 50 additionally defines therein a pair of transversely oriented passages which communicate with central bore 53 and open outwardly through the outer surface of body 50. Specifically, a first passage 57 extends in a generally transverse or radial manner from a distal region of distal bore portion 54 and opens outwardly through outer surface of anchor body 50. A second passage 58 is disposed in axially and circumferentially-spaced relation from first passage 57. Passage 58, which is the larger of the two passages, extends generally radially or transversely from a proximal region of distal bore portion 54 and opens outwardly through the outer surface of body 50. In the illustrated embodiment, passages 57 and 58 are diametrically opposite one another (i.e. about 180° from one another) on anchor body 50. However, passages 57 and 58 may be located at greater or lesser circumferential distances from one another along anchor body 50.

Anchor body 50 terminates at the distal end 51 in a tip portion 60 which is conical in configuration and includes a point 61 which defines the most distal end of the anchor body 50. In one embodiment, a pair of flutes 62 are defined in tip portion 60 diametrically opposite one another, and serve as cutting edges and for clean-out purposes, as is conventional. Further, a continuous thread 63 wraps around anchor body 50, which starts at proximal end 52 and terminates just axially short of tip portion 60.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, anchor body 50 is of a cylindrically stepped configuration, and the outer diameter of such configuration steps downwardly or lessens in the direction from the proximal end 52 to the distal end 51. More specifically, this stepped configuration is defined by a first proximal and cylindrical stepped section 64 having the largest outer diameter of body 50. A second generally centrally located stepped section 67 is disposed axially adjacent stepped section 64, and is of a lesser diameter than section 64. A third generally centrally located and cylindrical stepped section 70 is disposed axially adjacent section 67 and is of a lesser diameter than section 67. A fourth distal and cylindrical stepped section 72 is located axially between section 70 and tip portion 60 and is of a lesser diameter than section 70. The tip portion 60 is located distally of section 70, and defines the portion of anchor body 50 having the smallest outer cylindrical diameter. Further, the thickness of thread 63 at the outer diameter thereof, starting at approximately midway along anchor body 50, increases as the thread 63 extends proximally.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate the working sutures 13 attached to the suture anchor 11. In this regard, suture anchor 11 carries thereon the suture-engaging structure 14, which effectively serves as an attachment point for the working sutures 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the suture-engaging structure 14 is defined by suture material which is fixed to the anchor body 50. Specifically, a small length of suture material extends from distal portion 54 of central bore 53 outwardly through passage 57, across the exterior surface of anchor body 50, and then back into passage 58 and distal bore portion 54. The opposite free ends of the length of suture material are then tied together to form a knot 81, and this knot 81 may be located within passage 58 or alternatively within central bore 53. In one embodiment, adhesive 89 may be utilized to reinforce and further secure knot 81. In this regard, various types of bio-compatible adhesives which may be utilized to secure knot 81 are cyanoacrylates, such as Histoacryl (an n-butyl cyanoacrylate distributed by TissueSeal LLC), ethyl cyanoacrylate, butyl cianoacrylate, and octyl cyanoacrylate. Polycaprolactone (PCL), Poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA), and polyglycolic acid (PGA) may also be utilized.

The suture material thus forms a closed loop 82 having an interior section 83 located interiorly of the anchor body 50 and an exterior section 84 located exteriorly of the anchor body 50. In this regard, exterior section 84 extends circumferentially about anchor body 50 between passages 57 and 58 within and along a portion of stepped section 67. The stepped section 67 of anchor body 50 located between two adjacent thread flights of thread 63 thus defines a sidewardly-opening and circumferentially extending groove 80. Groove 80 extends along an angle of at least about 90°, and in the illustrated embodiment extends along an angle of about 180°.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the free ends of working sutures 13 extend into the proximal end 52 of the anchor body 50 into central bore 53, loop around or over the interior section 83 of loop 82, and then extend proximally back out of the anchor body 50. Loop 82 thus defines a non-rigid or soft structure which is fixed to anchor body 50 and utilized to define an attachment point for the working suture 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, two strands of suture define loop 82. However, it will be appreciated that suture loop may be defined by a single strand 87 of suture material as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15, or triple strands 88 of suture material as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 16. In this regard, it may be desirable to use a single strand 87 of suture material to form loop 82 if such material has sufficient strength, so as to simplify assembly, minimize materials, and reduce the volume of suture material within anchor body 50. Also, it may be desirable to use triple strands 88 if the suture material utilized has a smaller diameter but is not of sufficient strength such that additional strands are necessary.

One method of assembling the suture anchor 11 onto the inserter device 12 is as follows. Free ends of two separate working or repair sutures 13 are inserted into the proximal end of inserter device 12 through proximal bore portion 29, into distal bore portion 30, through inserter shaft bore 21 and through bore 41 of projection 40. These free ends of the working sutures 13 are inserted into bore 53 at the proximal end of suture anchor 11, over the interior section 83 of suture loop 82 and then brought back out of the anchor bore 53 and back through the distal end 17 of inserter device 12 until same emerge at proximal bore portion 29 thereof. Alternatively, instead of utilizing two pairs of working sutures 13, a single working suture could be engaged with suture loop 82. Three or more working sutures could also be utilized.

The bore 53 which opens at the proximal end of anchor 11 is circumferentially or rotationally aligned with the projection 40 of inserter device 12 at the distal end of inserter shaft 16, and the projection 40 is inserted into the bore 53. The free ends of the working sutures 13 located adjacent handle 19 are then pulled in a proximal direction so as to tension the working sutures 13, and the working sutures 13 may then be pulled transversely or sidewardly relative to handle 19 to engage the working sutures 13 within one of the slots 32 so as to maintain the sutures 13 in a fixed position relative to inserter device 12. If desirable or necessary, for example for storage purposes, the free ends of working sutures 13 may be wrapped or coiled around handle 19 and stored within annular recess 25, and the free ends fixed in place within the opposite slot 32.

The suture anchor 11 is intended for implanting within hard tissue, such as bone 90. One method of implanting anchor 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11-14. In some implanting procedures, i.e. when the suture anchor 11 is constructed of a hard material such as titanium, the anchor 11 is self-tapping, and thus no hole need be pre-formed in the bone 90 to insert the anchor 11. With this type of anchor, with the suture anchor 11 installed on the inserter device 12 as discussed above, the tip portion 60 of the anchor 11 is placed in position relative to the bone 90 and the anchor 11 is rotatably driven into the bone 90 utilizing device 12 (FIG. 11). Once the anchor 11 is located at the desired depth within bone 90, the inserter device 12 is pulled in a proximal direction away from the anchor 11 (FIG. 12) to unseat the anchor 11 therefrom. In this regard, the working sutures 13 would be released from slot 32 of handle 19 prior to the aforementioned step, so as to allow working sutures 13 to move freely relative to the inserter device 12 as the anchor 11 is deployed therefrom. Continued movement of the inserter device 12 in a proximal direction frees the working sutures 13 from the device 12, so that the surgeon can use the sutures 13 to anchor soft tissue 92 to the bone 90.

As shown in FIG. 13, the surgeon utilizes a suitable surgical tool 93 to grasp one of the working sutures 13 and pull same through the soft tissue 92. The same step is performed with the opposite working suture 13. The two free ends of each of the working sutures 13 now extend around and through a portion of the soft tissue 92, and the surgeon forms sliding knots 95 in the working sutures 13. The knots 95 are moved down the working suture 13 to cinch the soft tissue 92 against the bone 90 at the location of anchor 11 (FIG. 14). Any excess length of each working suture 13 may then be removed, if necessary. Once the suture anchor 11 is seated within the bone 90, the stepped diameter of central body 50 of anchor 11 is believed to prevent improved resistant to proximal movement of the anchor 11 out of bone 90 so that the anchor 11 will remain firmly fixed therein. Further, the increasing thickness of thread 63 in the distal to proximal direction of the anchor as discussed above is also believed to provide improved pull-out resistance.

It will be appreciated that when the suture anchor 11 is constructed of softer materials, such as plastic, it is typically necessary to utilize a tap instrument to form a pre-formed hole in the bone 90. In this regard, the tap instrument has a pointed tip which initially punches through the bone 90, and has a threaded body located proximally of the pointed tip. The tap instrument is thus rotated relative to the bone so that a pre-formed threaded hole is defined in the bone 90. The tip portion 60 of the anchor 11 is then aligned with this hole, and the anchor 11 is rotatably driven into the bone 90.

The arrangement as discussed above includes the projection 40 on the distal end 17 of inserter device 12 which cooperates with the proximally-opening bore 53 of the suture anchor 11. It will be appreciated that this configuration could be reversed, for example, the suture anchor 11 could include a projection or external drive head which engages within a corresponding recess formed in the distal end of the inserter device 12. However, forming the anchor 11 with an internal construction for allowing cooperation with the inserter device 12 is believed advantageous as compared to conventional anchors which include externally projecting drive heads at their proximal ends. In this regard, configuring the anchor in this manner allows same to be made smaller, so as to cause less trauma to the patient, and also allows the anchor to be provided with a greater thread length within the available anchor length, and thus is believed to result in a better engagement of the anchor within the bone.

In addition, the cylindrically stepped configuration of the anchor body which decreases from the proximal end of the anchor towards the distal end is believed to provide improved pull-out resistance, as compared to conventional anchors having anchor bodies with a linearly tapered configuration.

The suture anchor 11 according to the invention may be constructed of any suitable rigid material, such as plastic or metal, and also may be constructed of bio-absorbable material or non-absorbable material. In this regard, one example of nonabsorbable plastic which may be utilized is PEEK, and one example of nonabsorbable metal which may be utilized is titanium. One example of an absorbable plastic which may be utilized is PLLA. Composite materials may also be used for both bio-absorbable and non-absorbable applications, such as PLLA/HA, which is a type of ceramic. It will be appreciated that other types of materials may be utilized in accordance with the invention, and the above are presented only as examples.

Additionally, the suture anchor 11 may have a length dimension of about 17 mm, and may have an outside diameter of about 5.5 mm or 6.5 mm. These dimensions are presented only as an example of relative dimensions of anchor 11, and are not to be limiting.

Although a particular preferred embodiment has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A suture anchor arrangement comprising a suture anchor including an anchor body having a distal end configured for insertion into hard tissue and a proximal end spaced from said distal end, said anchor body including thereon a suture-engaging structure for cooperation with working suture to attach same to said anchor, said suture-engaging structure comprising a closed and continuous loop of suture material which is fixed to said anchor body independently of any insert molding process.

2. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 1, wherein said body defines therein a bore which opens proximally, and a portion of said loop is disposed within said bore.

3. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 2, wherein said anchor body defines a central longitudinal axis, and said portion is oriented generally transversely relative to the axis for cooperation with working suture to attach the working suture to said anchor.

4. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 2, wherein said portion is a first portion, and said loop includes a second portion disposed exteriorly of said bore.

5. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 4, wherein said second portion extends along an exterior surface of said body.

6. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 1, wherein said body defines therein a bore extending along a central longitudinal axis of said anchor, and a pair of passages having inner ends communicating with said bore and outer ends which open through an outer surface of said body, said suture material of said loop extending from said bore outwardly through one of said passages, over an exterior surface of said body, and back inwardly through the other said passage to said bore.

7. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 6, wherein said passages are transversely oriented relative to the axis and are axially spaced from one another along said body.

8. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 6, wherein said loop has a pair of free ends which are tied together to define a knot, and said knot is disposed adjacent said bore.

9. The suture anchor arrangement of claim 1, wherein said body has an exterior surface configured for engagement within a cavity defined in bodily tissue, and said arrangement includes an inserter device having a distal end configured for removably supporting said suture anchor for installing said suture anchor within the cavity.

10. A suture anchor comprising an anchor body having a distal end configured for implanting into hard tissue, such as bone, and a proximal end spaced from said distal end, said anchor body defining therein a bore and including a suture-retention interface for cooperating with working suture, said interface including a loop having a first part disposed within said bore and a second part disposed outside said bore.

11. The suture anchor of claim 10, wherein said loop is formed from suture material.

12. The suture anchor of claim 10, wherein said loop has a pair of free ends which are secured to one another such that said loop comprises a continuous loop.

13. The suture anchor of claim 10, wherein said bore extends along the longitudinal axis, said anchor body defines therein a pair of passages in communication with said bore and oriented transversely relative to the axis, said first part of said loop extending between said passages within said bore, and said second part of said loop extending between said passages outside said bore.

14. The suture anchor of claim 12, wherein said free ends of said loop are tied to one another to form a knot, said knot being disposed adjacent said bore and additionally strengthened with adhesive.

15. The suture anchor of claim 13, wherein said second part of said loop extends in a circumferential direction along an exterior surface of said anchor body.

16. The suture anchor of claim 10, wherein said body has a threaded exterior surface for engagement within a cavity defined in bodily tissue, said bore opens proximally and defines a recess configured for engagement with an inserter device for facilitating insertion of said suture anchor into tissue.

17. A suture anchor comprising an anchor body defining a distal end for implanting into tissue and a proximal end spaced from said distal and configured for cooperation with an inserter device, said anchor mounting thereon a suture-engaging structure for cooperating with working suture to secure same to said suture anchor, said suture-engaging structure comprising a length of suture material having a pair of free ends which are secured to one another to form a loop.

18. The suture anchor of claim 17, wherein said loop is continuous and has a portion disposed interiorly of said anchor and a portion disposed exteriorly of said anchor.

19. The suture anchor of claim 18, wherein said portion disposed interiorly of said anchor is disposed for engagement with working suture to secure same to said anchor.

20. A suture anchor arrangement comprising a suture anchor including an anchor body defining a central longitudinal axis, said body including a distal end for insertion into tissue and a proximal end spaced therefrom, said body having an outer surface defining therein a groove extending circumferentially therealong, and a suture attachment element mounted on said body, wherein a portion of said attachment element extends within said groove on said outer surface.

21. The arrangement of claim 20, wherein said attachment element comprises a loop of suture having a first section comprising said portion of said attachment element and a second section extending interiorly of said anchor body to secure said loop to said anchor body.

22. The arrangement of claim 21, wherein said anchor body defines therein an interior bore and a pair of passages at respective opposite ends of said groove, said passages communicating with said bore and conveying said loop from said groove into said bore.

23. The arrangement of claim 20, wherein said attachment element comprises a continuous loop of suture material having an exterior portion defining said portion disposed within said groove and an interior portion extending interiorly of said anchor body.

24. The arrangement of claim 20, wherein said suture anchor defines therein a bore which opens proximally, a proximal end of said bore defining a drive interface, and said arrangement includes an inverter device including a distal end defining a projection thereon configured for engagement within said proximal end of said bore and engagement with said drive interface.

25. The arrangement of claim 24, wherein said drive interface comprises a polygonal-shaped recess, and said projection comprises a polygonal shape for engagement within said recess.