U.S. patent application number 14/155556 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-08 for suture anchor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Arthrex, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Arthrex, Inc.. Invention is credited to William C. Benavitz, Peter J. Dreyfuss.
Application Number | 20140128915 14/155556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34911023 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140128915 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dreyfuss; Peter J. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2014 |
SUTURE ANCHOR
Abstract
A suture anchor assembly includes an anchor having a proximal
end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a first length, and an
internal passage within the anchor. The internal passage begins at
an opening in the proximal end and has a second length shorter than
the first length. A support structure fixed longitudinally relative
to the anchor extends across the internal passage and has a third
length shorter than the second length. A suture within the internal
passage is received about a distal surface of the support
structure. A suture extends out of the opening in the proximal end.
A driver includes a cannula having a distal opening and a proximal
opening, and the suture is received within the cannula. A first end
and the second end of the suture extend outside of the proximal
opening, the driver having a drive surface near the distal opening
that engages the anchor.
Inventors: |
Dreyfuss; Peter J.; (Naples,
FL) ; Benavitz; William C.; (Naples, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Arthrex, Inc. |
Naples |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Arthrex, Inc.
Naples
FL
|
Family ID: |
34911023 |
Appl. No.: |
14/155556 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14148460 |
Jan 6, 2014 |
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14155556 |
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13933575 |
Jul 2, 2013 |
8623052 |
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14148460 |
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12751266 |
Mar 31, 2010 |
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13933575 |
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11097172 |
Apr 4, 2005 |
8343186 |
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12751266 |
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60559425 |
Apr 6, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49947 20150115;
A61B 17/0401 20130101; A61B 2017/0409 20130101; A61B 2017/044
20130101; A61B 2017/0414 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/232 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/04 20060101
A61B017/04 |
Claims
1. A suture anchor assembly, comprising: an anchor body including a
distal end, a proximal end, an exterior surface, a length extending
along a central longitudinal axis of the anchor body, and a
passage, wherein the passage extends about the central longitudinal
axis, the passage extends at least partially along the length of
the anchor body, and the passage extends from an opening located at
the proximal end of the anchor body, wherein an external helical
thread extends at least partially around the passage; a rigid
member fixed by the anchor body against relative movement along the
central longitudinal axis of the anchor body, wherein the rigid
member has a first dimension that is generally parallel to the
central longitudinal axis of the anchor body and a second dimension
that is generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of
the anchor body, the second dimension is longer than the first
dimension, the rigid member extends across the passage and to the
exterior surface, the exterior surface having a first exterior
surface and a second exterior surface, the first exterior surface
spaced from the second exterior surface, wherein the second
dimension is defined between the first exterior surface and the
second exterior surface; at least one tissue securing suture having
a suture length and received about the rigid member, wherein the at
least one tissue securing suture includes a first end and a second
end that extend out of the opening located at the proximal end of
the anchor body; and a driver including a shaft having a shaft
length, the driver engaging the anchor body, and the suture length
of the at least one tissue securing suture is greater than the
shaft length of the shaft.
2. The suture anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the passage is
defined by a first interior surface and a second interior surface
spaced opposite to the first interior surface, and the rigid member
is attached to the first interior surface and to the second
interior surface.
3. The suture anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the rigid member
extends through the first interior surface and the second interior
surface.
4. The suture anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
tissue securing suture is received about a leading distal surface
of the rigid member, the leading distal surface extending across
the central longitudinal axis of the anchor body.
5. The suture anchor assembly of claim 4, wherein the leading
distal surface extends between a first interior surface of the
passage and a second interior surface of the passage spaced
opposite the first interior surface.
6. (canceled)
7. A suture anchor assembly comprising: an anchor body including a
distal end, a proximal end, an exterior surface, a length extending
along a central longitudinal axis of the anchor body, and an
internal passage, wherein the internal passage extends about the
central longitudinal axis, the internal passage extends at least
partially along the length of the anchor body, and the internal
passage extends from an opening located at the proximal end of the
anchor body, wherein an external helical thread extends at least
partially around the internal passage; a rigid member fixed by the
anchor body against relative movement along the central
longitudinal axis of the anchor body, wherein the rigid member is
situated across the internal passage; a first dimension associated
with the rigid member, the first dimension being generally parallel
to the central longitudinal axis of the anchor body, and a second
dimension associated with the rigid member, the second dimension
being generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of
the anchor body, the second dimension is longer than the first
dimension, the exterior surface having a first exterior surface and
a second exterior surface, the first exterior surface spaced from
the second exterior surface, the second dimension is defined
between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface,
and the second dimension is measured between the first exterior
surface and the second exterior surface; at least one tissue
securing suture received about the rigid member, wherein the at
least one tissue securing suture includes a first end and a second
end that extend out of the opening located at the proximal end of
the anchor body; and a driver including a shaft having a proximal
end and a distal end, the distal end of the driver engaging the
anchor body, and the at least one tissue securing suture extends in
a direction along the central longitudinal axis and past the
proximal end of the shaft.
8-9. (canceled)
10. A suture anchor assembly comprising: an anchor body including a
distal end, a proximal end, an exterior surface, a length extending
along a central longitudinal axis of the anchor body, and an
internal passage, wherein the internal passage extends about the
central longitudinal axis, the internal passage extends at least
partially along the length of the anchor body, and the internal
passage extends from an opening located at the proximal end of the
anchor body, wherein an anchor securing contour extends at least
partially around the internal passage; a rigid support fixed by the
anchor body against relative movement along the central
longitudinal axis of the anchor body, wherein the rigid support is
situated across the internal passage; at least one tissue securing
suture received about a leading distal surface of the rigid
support, wherein the at least one tissue securing suture includes a
first end and a second end that extend out of the opening located
at the proximal end of the anchor body; and a driver including a
shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the driver engaging
the distal end of the anchor body, and the at least one tissue
securing suture extends in a direction along the central
longitudinal axis and past the proximal end of the shaft.
11. A suture anchor assembly, comprising: an anchor including a
proximal end and a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a first length
along the longitudinal axis, an internal passage within the anchor
along the longitudinal axis, the internal passage beginning at an
opening in the proximal end of the anchor, the internal passage
having a second length along the longitudinal axis, the second
length being shorter than the first length, a rigid suture support
structure in a fixed longitudinal position relative to the anchor,
the rigid suture support structure extending across the
longitudinal axis, the rigid suture support structure having a
third length along the longitudinal axis, the third length being
shorter than the second length, and an anchor securing contour on
at least a portion of an exterior of the anchor; at least one
tissue securing suture at least partially within the internal
passage and received about the rigid suture support structure with
a portion of the at least one tissue securing suture being received
against a leading distal surface on the rigid suture support
structure, the at least one tissue securing suture including a
first end and a second end, a portion of the at least one tissue
securing suture extending out of the opening in the proximal end of
the anchor; and a driver including a shaft having a proximal end
and distal end, the distal end of the shaft having a drive surface
that engages the anchor, and the at least one tissue securing
suture extends in a direction along the longitudinal axis and past
the proximal end of the shaft.
12. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the anchor
securing contour comprises a generally helical thread that is
interrupted in a vicinity of the rigid suture support
structure.
13. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the anchor
securing contour comprises a generally helical thread that is
continuous along only some of the internal passage.
14. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the anchor is a
tap-in anchor.
15. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the anchor
comprises a longitudinally extending wall; the internal passage is
surrounded by at least some of the longitudinally extending wall
along at least a portion of the second length; and the wall is
interrupted at a location corresponding to the fixed longitudinal
position of the rigid suture support structure.
16. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the anchor
comprises a continuous wall along only some of the internal
passage.
17. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the rigid
suture support structure is secured at the fixed longitudinal
position at an interface between the rigid suture support structure
and an interior surface of the internal passage.
18. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the rigid
suture support structure has a fourth length; the fourth length is
along a direction that is generally transverse to the longitudinal
axis; and the fourth length is different than the third length.
19. The suture anchor assembly of claim 18, wherein the fourth
length is greater than the third length.
20. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the drive
surface engages an internal surface of the internal passage.
21. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the rigid
suture support structure comprises a generally cylindrical member
at least partially received by the anchor.
22. The suture anchor assembly of claim 21, wherein the anchor
includes at least one opening in a side of the anchor and the
generally cylindrical member is at least partially received through
the at least one opening.
23. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the anchor
includes at least one opening in a side of the anchor at a position
that coincides with the fixed longitudinal position of the rigid
suture support structure.
24. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the portion of
the at least one tissue securing suture received against the
leading distal surface on the rigid suture support structure is
within an opening for accommodating the at least one tissue
securing suture, the opening is disposed distal of the leading
distal surface.
25. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least
one tissue securing suture follows a path beginning with the first
end of the at least one tissue securing suture outside of the
cannula, through the driver cannula, into the internal passage,
around the rigid suture support structure, back through the
internal passage, back through the cannula, and ending at the
second end of the at least one tissue securing suture outside of
the cannula.
26. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein an entire
portion of the at least one tissue securing suture that is received
into the internal passage is encompassed by an exterior of the
anchor.
27. (canceled)
28. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the rigid
suture support structure is secured in the fixed longitudinal
position by an internal surface on the anchor.
29. (canceled)
30. The suture anchor assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least
one tissue securing suture has a length sufficient to secure tissue
at a location of the anchor.
31. The suture anchor as recited in claim 10, wherein the anchor
securing contour is an external helical thread.
32. The suture anchor as recited in claim 10, wherein the internal
passage is defined by a first interior surface and a second
interior surface spaced opposite to the first interior surface, and
the rigid support branches from the first interior surface to the
second interior surface.
33. The suture anchor assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least
one tissue securing suture has a suture length and the shaft has a
shaft length, and the suture length of the at least one tissue
securing suture is greater than the shaft length of the shaft.
34. The suture anchor as recited in claim 10, wherein the shaft is
a cannula.
35. The suture anchor as recited in claim 10, wherein the first end
and the second end of the at least one tissue securing suture
extend past the proximal end of the shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/148,460 filed on Jan. 6, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/933,575 filed on Jul. 2, 2013, which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/751,266,
filed on Mar. 31, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/097,172 filed on Apr. 4, 2005, now U.S.
Pat. No. 8,343,186, issued on Jan. 1, 2013, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/559,425, filed Apr.
6, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for anchoring
surgical suture to bone. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a fully threaded suture anchor provided with a
transverse anchor pin for securing, within the anchor, one or more
strands of suture to anchor the suture to bone during arthroscopic
surgery.
[0003] When soft tissue tears away from bone, reattachment becomes
necessary. Various devices, including sutures alone, screws,
staples, wedges, and plugs have been used in the prior art to
secure soft tissue to bone.
[0004] Recently, various types of threaded suture anchors have been
developed for this purpose. Some threaded suture anchors are
designed to be inserted into a pre-drilled hole. Other suture
anchors are self-tapping.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,100 discloses a cylindrical threaded
suture anchor. The suture anchor of the '100 patent includes a
drill bit at a leading end for boring a hole in a bone, followed by
a flight of threads spaced from the drill bit for securing the
anchor into the hole created by the drill bit.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,662 discloses a suture anchor having
threads which extend to the tip of the anchor. U.S. Pat. No.
5,156,616 discloses a similar suture anchor having an axial opening
for holding a knotted piece of suture.
[0007] All of the above-noted suture anchors include structure for
attaching the suture to the anchor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,100, for
example, discloses a press-fitted disc and knot structure which
secures the suture to the anchor. In other suture anchors, such as
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,662, the suture is passed
through an eyelet located on the proximal end of the anchor. In the
case of a bioabsorbable suture anchor, the suture may be insert
molded into the anchor, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,964,783.
[0008] Problems can arise if the structure for attaching the suture
fails, allowing the suture to become detached from the anchor.
Also, the suture often is exposed to abrasion or cutting by sharp
or rough areas along the walls of the bone canal into which the
anchor is inserted.
[0009] Moreover, the eyelet or, in the case of U.S. Pat. No.
4,632,100, the axial opening for receiving the disc to which the
suture is knotted, is formed as part of the drive head of the known
suture anchors. Combining these two functions in one structure
often tends to weaken the drive head.
[0010] In addition, various other modifications to the drive head
often are employed in connection with suture attachment. For
example, recessed grooves may be formed on opposite sides of the
drive head to receive and protect the suture from abrasive areas of
the suture anchor tunnel or to facilitate mating between the anchor
to the driver. In such cases, the drive head often must be made of
a larger diameter to recover the mechanical strength lost from the
removal of material relating to the suture-attachment or
suture-protection modifications.
[0011] Further, the prior art suture anchors having eyelets
extending from the proximal ends require countersinking of the
eyelet below the bone surface to avoid having the patient's tissue
abrade against the exposed eyelet. As a result, suture attached to
the eyelet is vulnerable to abrasion by the bony rim of the
countersunk hole into which the suture anchor is installed. In
addition, in biodegradable suture anchors, the suture eyelet can
degrade rapidly, causing the suture to become detached from the
anchor prematurely.
[0012] Accordingly, there is a need for a threaded suture anchor to
which suture is secured effectively so as to prevent detachment of
the suture. It is further desirable for such suture anchors to have
eyelets that will not abrade tissue and which do not require
countersinking.
SUMMARY
[0013] An illustrative embodiment of the suture anchor of the
present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art
discussed above by providing a threaded suture anchor having a
transverse anchor pin disposed inside the body of the suture
anchor. The suture anchor is made of a biocompatible metal,
preferably a titanium alloy.
[0014] The proximal end surface of the threaded suture anchor of
the present invention is preferably smooth and rounded to minimize
suture abrasion, while the distal portion of the anchor is tapered
to an elongated point to enable the anchor to be self-tapping. The
proximal end portion of the suture anchor body has a hexagonally
shaped opening to accept a hexagonal drive head.
[0015] The internal transverse pin provides a support over which
one or more strands of suture can be looped, such that the suture
is secured in a recessed fashion within the anchor.
[0016] Advantageously, suture attached to the anchor through the
transverse pin exits the suture anchor through a central bore in
the anchor, which prevents suture abrasion by the wall of the bone
tunnel into which the anchor is inserted.
[0017] An illustrative suture anchor assembly includes an anchor
body having a distal end, a proximal end, an exterior surface, a
length extending along a central longitudinal axis, and a passage.
The passage extends along the longitudinal axis, at least partially
along the length, and from an opening at the proximal end. An
external helical thread extends around the passage. The anchor body
fixes a rigid member against relative movement along the
longitudinal axis. The rigid member has a first dimension parallel
to the central longitudinal axis and a second dimension
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second dimension being
longer than the first dimension. The rigid member extends across
the passage between a first portion of the exterior surface and a
second portion of the exterior surface. A suture including ends is
received about the rigid member and extends out of the opening. A
driver includes a cannula having a distal opening and a proximal
opening. The driver engages the anchor body, and the ends of the
suture extend out of the proximal opening.
[0018] Another illustrative suture anchor assembly includes an
anchor body having a distal end, a proximal end, an exterior
surface, a length extending along a central longitudinal axis, and
an internal passage. The passage extends along the longitudinal
axis, at least partially along the length, and from an opening at
the proximal end. An external helical thread extends around the
passage. The anchor body fixes a rigid member against relative
movement along the longitudinal axis. The rigid member has a first
dimension parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a second
dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second
dimension being longer than the first dimension. The second
dimension of the anchor body is associated with the rigid member
and is measured between a first portion of the exterior surface and
a second portion of the exterior surface. A suture including ends
is received about the rigid member and extends out of the opening.
A driver includes a cannula having a distal opening and a proximal
opening. The driver engages the anchor body, and the ends of the
suture extend out of the proximal opening.
[0019] Another illustrative embodiment of a suture anchor assembly
includes an anchor having a proximal end, a distal end, a
longitudinal axis, a first length, and an internal passage within
the anchor. The internal passage begins at an opening in the
proximal end and has a second length shorter than the first length.
A support structure fixed longitudinally relative to the anchor
extends across the internal passage and has a third length shorter
than the second length. A suture within the internal passage is
received about a distal surface of the support structure. A suture
extends out of the opening in the proximal end. A driver includes a
cannula having a distal opening and a proximal opening, and the
suture is received within the cannula. A first end and the second
end of the suture extend outside of the proximal opening, the
driver having a drive surface near the distal opening that engages
the anchor.
[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of the invention,
which refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the suture anchor of
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suture anchor
shown in FIG. 1 through the plane D-D indicated therein.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a proximal end view of the suture anchor of FIG.
1.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the suture anchor of
FIG. 1 showing a suture looped over the transverse anchor pin.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the suture anchor of
FIG. 1 showing a portion of a hex driver inserted into a
hexagonally shaped bore.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the suture anchor of
FIG. 1 showing more of the hex driver inserted into a hexagonally
shaped bore.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross section of the suture anchor of FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
various specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient detail
to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and
it is to be understood that other embodiments may be employed, and
that structural and logical changes may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a suture anchor according to a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally
by reference numeral 110. In the preferred embodiment, body 108 of
anchor 110 generally tapers to a narrow point 114 at the distal end
thereof. In particular, the major diameter of the anchor body is
generally constant along about two-thirds of the length of the
body, whereupon the diameter of the anchor then tapers to a
relatively sharp point, e.g., approximately 16.degree.. The
relatively sharp distal tip of anchor 110 enables the anchor to be
installed without having to first drill a hole in the bone where
the anchor 110 is to be installed.
[0030] Although such tapering is preferred, suture anchor 110 may
be formed to have a less tapered shape, or even cylindrical shape,
to accommodate different preferences of the surgeon and/or the
application of the suture anchor. For example, the tapered distal
end of the anchor may be formed to be more blunt, in which case it
is necessary to provide a pre-formed hole in the bone prior to
insertion of the suture anchor.
[0031] A continuous thread 116 wraps around the body 108 in a
clockwise direction, as shown. Anchor 110 has about five flights of
thread, with the angle of the threads and other configurations of
the anchor being similar to the suture anchor of U.S. Pat. No.
6,511,499, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0032] As can be seen more clearly with reference to FIG. 2, the
proximal end portion of the anchor has a hexagonally shaped bore
132 having an opening 122 at the proximal end of anchor body 108
and extending into the anchor body approximately one-third of the
length thereof. Prior art anchors have sharp edges around the drive
opening, which is problematic in that sutures passing through the
central opening at the proximal end of the anchor can be abraded by
the sharp edges, thereby compromising the strength of the sutures.
The hexagonally shaped bore 132 includes at least two internal
faces (not numbered). The two internal faces intersect obliquely
relative to each other. In one example, there are six internal
planar faces. In the suture anchor of the present invention, the
peripheral edges defining hexagonally shaped opening 122 is smooth
and rounded outwardly with no sharp edges. Preferably, the opening
122 forms a slight lip curving around the diameter of the bore 132.
Thus, sutures threaded through the anchor 110, as will be discussed
below, will not become frayed upon being pressed or rubbed against
the anchor at the proximal opening 122.
[0033] A cylindrical bore 136 having a diameter corresponding to
that of the hexagonally shaped bore 132 extends from the distal end
of the hexagonally shaped bore 132 to a position roughly halfway
along the length of anchor body 108. The transition between
hexagonally shaped bore 132 and cylindrical bore 136 forms an
annular shoulder 134, against which the distal end of a hex driver
202 abuts when inserted into the hexagonally shaped bore 132 to
drive the anchor into bone. A wall 109 surrounds the cylindrical
bore 136 and the hexagonal shaped bore 132, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0034] Two longitudinal, diametrically opposite apertures 118 are
formed in anchor body 108, the apertures 118 supporting a metal
transverse anchor pin 120 which extends across cylindrical bore
136.
[0035] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, apertures 118 extend
through and interrupt the threads 116 around anchor body 108 at
approximately one-third of the length of the anchor body from the
distal end thereof. One or more sutures 200 are secured to the
anchor by looping the suture(s) around metal anchor pin 120 as
shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7. Although the metal anchor pin 120 is
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 as oriented transverse to longitudinal
axis 150 of the anchor body 108, the metal anchor pin 120 may form
any angle with the longitudinal axis 150 and, thus, the invention
is not limited to metal anchor pin 120 forming an angle of about
ninety degrees with the longitudinal axis 150 of the anchor body
108.
[0036] Preferably, suture anchor 110 is formed of a hard
biocompatible metal, such as a titanium alloy, but can be made of
biocompatible materials other than metal. The suture secured to the
anchor may be FiberWire suture, sold by Arthrex, Inc. of Naples,
Fla.
[0037] The suture anchor according to the present invention need
not be formed as a threaded device, but can also be formed as a
tap-in type anchor. Also, the measurements, angles and ratios
between the dimensions of the suture anchor may be varied from
those described above so as to be suitable for the conditions and
applications in which the suture anchor is to be used.
[0038] In manufacturing the suture anchor 110 in accordance with
the present invention, the anchor body 108 is cast in a die, with
the bores, passageways and apertures described above either being
formed during the casting process or formed afterwards. If
necessary, the distal tip 114 of the anchor 110 is trimmed to the
desired length and the surfaces of the anchor are polished to the
desired finish.
[0039] As mentioned above, the suture anchor of the present
invention may be installed in the bone without the need to
pre-drill a hole in the bone. The suture anchor is installed using
a driver having a shaft having a hexagonal cross-section for at
least a length equal to the length of the hexagonal bore 132 from
proximal opening 122 to the shoulder 134 inside the anchor 110. The
driver has a cannula extending through the entire length thereof,
with openings at the proximal and distal ends thereof. Of course,
the outer diameter of the hexagonal shaft is sized to fit inside
the hexagonal bore in the anchor so as to be enabled to drive the
same.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with the desired number of suture
strands 200 threaded around the anchor pin 120 in the suture anchor
110, the ends 206 and 208 of the suture strands 200 are threaded
through the cannula 204 in the hex driver 202 from the distal end
thereof and extend from the proximal opening 216 thereof. The
distal end 214 of the hex driver 202 is inserted into the proximal
end of the anchor 110. With the distal end of the hex driver 202
abutting the shoulder 134 and the anchor 110 positioned at the
location at which it is to be installed, the hex driver 202 is
rotated to drive the anchor 110 into the bone until the proximal
surface of the anchor 110 is flush with the surface of the
bone.
[0041] Since it is not necessary for the proximal end of the anchor
to be countersunk below the bone surface to prevent tissue abrasion
by an exposed suture loop, as is required with prior art devices,
the suture anchor of the present invention does not need to be
inserted as far as the prior art anchors, while also avoiding
abrasion of the sutures by the rim of the bone.
[0042] The suture anchor of the present invention provides greater
pull-out strength of the suture loop than prior suture anchors. In
addition, the suture loop of the present invention, being disposed
inside the suture anchor, is protected from abrasion and
degradation.
[0043] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations
and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is to be
limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the
appended claims.
* * * * *