Title: Tissue repair system
Abstract: A bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within bone and to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member can be pulled in a first direction while, without the aid of an enlarged portion on the flexible member, subsequent movement in a second, opposite direction can be limited. The anchor body includes a restrictor configured to engage the flexible member to selectively restrict passage of the flexible member through an opening. A tissue repair system includes first and second bone anchors coupled by a flexible member. An anchor with attached flexible member is placed in bone, and the flexible member is moved through an opening in the anchor in a first direction. The anchor is configured to limit subsequent movement of the flexible member in at least a second opposite direction.
Patent Number: 6,986,781 Issued on 01/17/2006 to Smith
| Inventors:
|
Smith; Graham (Plaistow, NH)
|
| Assignee:
|
Smith & Nephew, Inc. (Memphis, TN)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
986392 |
| Filed:
|
November 8, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
606/232; 606/72 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
A61B 17/04 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
606/72,73,74,103,232,75,213,215,216,217,218,225
411/338,339,437,439
|
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Other References
PCT International Search Report, May 4, 2004, 9 pages.
Panalok Anchor with Panacryl Suture (1997) (2 pages).
Office Action mailed Jan. 21, 2003 (7 pages) U.S. Appl. No. 09/986,376.
Office Action mailed Dec. 7, 2004 (5 pages) U.S. Appl. No. 90/006,989.
Office Action in Application No. 10/305,998 mailed May 31, 2005, 6 pages.
Office Action in Application 09/006,989 mailed May 9, 2005, 6 pages.
|
Primary Examiner: Reip; David O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bone anchor, comprising:
an anchor body configured to be retained within bone, the anchor body including
a generally stationary restrictor configured to selectively restrict movement of
a flexible member coupled thereto such that after implantation, the flexible member
can be moved through the restrictor in a first direction while, without the aid
of an enlarged portion on the flexible member, movement in a second, opposite direction
can be restricted.
2. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the restrictor is configured to engage
the flexible member to selectively restrict movement of the flexible member.
3. The bone anchor of claim 2 wherein the restrictor is configured to engage
the flexible member at a substantially arbitrary position along a length of the
flexible member.
4. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the anchor body defines an opening through
which the flexible member can be moved.
5. The bone anchor of claim 4 wherein the restrictor is configured to engage
the flexible member to selectively restrict passage of the flexible member through
the opening.
6. The bone anchor of claim 4 wherein the restrictor defines at least a part
of the opening.
7. The bone anchor of claim 6 wherein the restrictor defines a narrower portion
of the opening than another portion of the opening.
8. The bone anchor of claim 4 wherein the restrictor includes a sloped surface
configured to compress the flexible member to permit passage of the flexible member
through the opening.
9. The bone anchor of claim 4 wherein the restrictor includes opposing edges
for engaging the flexible member to restrict passage of the flexible member through
the opening.
10. The bone anchor of claim 4 further comprises a second restrictor configured
to engage the flexible member to selectively restrict passage of the flexible member
through the opening.
11. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the restrictors are oppositely directed.
12. The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the restrictors are oriented such that
passage of the flexible member through both restrictors is permitted when one end
region of the flexible member is pulled, and passage of the flexible member through
both restrictors is restricted when an opposite end region of the flexible member
is pulled.
13. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the anchor body includes a pair of legs.
14. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the anchor body includes a bone-engaging
ridge for retaining the bone anchor in a bone hole.
15. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said anchor body comprises a unitary body.
16. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said anchor body includes a post about
which the flexible member is positionable.
17. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the restrictor is configured such that
the flexible member can be moved through the restrictor in the first direction
when one end region of the flexible member is pulled and movement of the flexible
member through the restrictor in the second direction can be restricted when an
opposite end region of the flexible member is pulled.
18. The bone anchor of claim 17 wherein the restrictor is configured to engage
the flexible member to selectively restrict the movement of the flexible member.
19. The bone anchor of claim 17 wherein the restrictor comprises a sloped surface
configured to permit the movement of the flexible member in the first direction.
20. The bone anchor of claim 17 wherein the restrictor comprises opposing edges
configured to restrict the movement of the flexible member in the second direction.
21. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the restrictor is oriented to selectively
restrict longitudinal movement of the flexible member.
22. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the anchor body defines a path for passage
of the flexible member through the anchor body along a longitudinal direction of
the flexible member and the restrictor is positioned along the path.
23. The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the anchor body comprises a continuous
wall portion defining a through hole for receiving the flexible member therethrough.
24. A tissue repair system, comprising:
a first anchor body including a member that engages bone to retain the anchor
within the bone, the first anchor body defining an opening for receiving suture
and a restrictor forming a one-way passage through the opening,
a second anchor body including a member that engages bone to retain the anchor
within the bone, the second anchor body defining an opening for receiving suture
and a restrictor forming a one-way passage through the second anchor body opening,
and
suture coupling the first and second anchor bodies, the suture extending through
the one-way passages.
25. The repair system of claim 24 wherein the suture can be moved through the
first and second anchor bodies to shorten a length of the suture between the first
and second anchor bodies, while, without the aid of an enlarged portion on the
suture, lengthening of the suture between the first and second anchor bodies is restricted.
26. A bone anchor, comprising:
an anchor body configured to be retained within bone, the anchor body including
a generally stationary restrictor configured to receive a flexible member such
that after implantation of the anchor body within bone, the flexible member can
be moved through the restrictor while, without the aid of an enlarged portion on
the flexible member, subsequent movement of the flexible member can be restricted.
27. The bone anchor of claim 26 wherein the restrictor includes a sloped surface
configured to compress the flexible member to permit passage of the flexible member
through the first restrictor.
28. The bone anchor of claim 26 wherein the restrictor includes opposing edges
for engaging the flexible member to restrict passage of the flexible member through
the restrictor.
29. The bone anchor of claim 26 wherein the restrictor is configured such that
the flexible member can be moved when one end region of the flexible member is
pulled, while the subsequent movement of the flexible member can be restricted
when an opposite end region of the flexible member is pulled.
30. The bone anchor of claim 29 wherein the restrictor is configured to engage
the flexible member to selectively restrict the movement of the flexible member.
31. The bone anchor of claim 29 wherein the restrictor comprises a sloped surface
configured to permit the movement of the flexible member.
32. The bone anchor of claim 29 wherein the restrictor comprises opposing edges
configured to restrict the movement of the flexible member.
33. The bone anchor of claim 26 wherein the restrictor is oriented to selectively
restrict longitudinal movement of the flexible member.
34. The bone anchor of claim 26 wherein the anchor body defines a path for passage
of the flexible member through the anchor body along a longitudinal direction of
the flexible member and the restrictor is positioned along the path.
35. The bone anchor of claim 26 wherein the anchor body comprises a continuous
wall portion defining a through hole for receiving the flexible member therethrough.
36. A tissue repair system, comprising:
a flexible member, and
first and second bone anchors coupled together by the flexible member, each bone
anchor including an anchor body configured to be retained within bone, at least
one of the bone anchors configured to receive the flexible member such that the
flexible member can be pulled to shorten a length of the flexible member between
the bone anchors, while, without the aid of an enlarged portion on the flexible
member, subsequent lengthening of the flexible member between the bone anchors
can be restricted.
37. A bone anchor comprising:
an anchor body configured to be retained within bone, the anchor body including
a generally stationary restrictor defining a one-way passage configured to pass
a suture in a first direction and restrict passage of the suture in a second, opposite
direction.
38. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the restrictor includes a sloped surface
configured to compress the suture to permit passage of the suture through the one-way passage.
39. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the restrictor includes opposing edges
for engaging the suture to restrict passage of the suture through the one-way passage.
40. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the anchor body includes:
legs extending distally from the one-way passage and having inner walls that
define an opening,
a wall extending along a side of the anchor body that is distal the legs, and
a post about which the suture is positionable, the post extending from the wall.
41. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the one-way passage is further configured
to pass the suture in the first direction when one end region of the suture is
pulled and to restrict passage of the suture in the second direction when an opposite
end region of the suture is pulled.
42. The bone anchor of claim 41 wherein the restrictor is further configured
to engage the suture to selectively restrict the movement of the suture.
43. The bone anchor of claim 41 wherein the restrictor comprises a sloped surface
configured to permit the movement of the suture in the first direction.
44. The bone anchor of claim 41 wherein the restrictor comprises opposing edges
configured to restrict the movement of the suture in the second direction.
45. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the restrictor is oriented to selectively
restrict longitudinal movement of the suture.
46. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the anchor body defines a path for passage
of the suture through the anchor body along a longitudinal direction of the suture
and the restrictor is positioned along the path.
47. The bone anchor of claim 37 wherein the anchor body comprises a continuous
wall portion defining a through hole for receiving the suture therethrough.
48. A bone anchor comprising:
an anchor body configured to be retained within bone, the anchor body including
a generally stationary restrictor defining an opening having a first portion for
permitting passage of a member therethrough, and a second portion restricting passage
of the member therethrough without the aid of an enlarged portion on the member.
49. The bone anchor of claim 48 wherein the first portion is configured to permit
the passage of the member through the opening when one end region of the member
is pulled and the second portion is configured to restrict the passage of the member
through the opening when an opposite end region of the member is pulled.
50. The bone anchor of claim 49 wherein the first portion comprises a sloped
surface configured to permit the passage of the member through the opening.
51. The bone anchor of claim 49 wherein the second portion comprises opposing
edges configured to restrict the passage of the member through the opening.
52. The bone anchor of claim 48 wherein the restrictor is oriented to selectively
restrict longitudinal movement of the member.
53. The bone anchor of claim 48 wherein the anchor body defines a path for passage
of the member through the anchor body along a longitudinal direction of the member
and the restrictor is positioned along the path.
54. The bone anchor of claim 48 wherein the anchor body comprises a continuous
wall portion defining a through hole for receiving the member therethrough.
55. A method comprising:
placing an anchor in bone, the anchor including a generally stationary restrictor,
moving a flexible member through the restrictor in a first direction, and
restricting movement of the flexible member through the restrictor in a second,
opposite direction.
56. The method of claim 55 further comprising placing a second anchor in bone,
the second anchor being coupled to the first anchor by the flexible member, wherein
the step of moving the flexible member in the first direction shortens a length
of the flexible member between the anchors.
57. The method of claim 55 wherein moving the flexible member is performed after
placing the anchor in bone.
58. The method of claim 55 wherein moving the flexible member through the restrictor
comprises pulling one end region of the flexible member.
59. The method of claim 58 wherein restricting movement of the flexible member
comprises restricting movement when an opposite end region of the flexible member
is pulled.
60. The method of claim 58 wherein moving the flexible member through the restrictor
comprises compressing the flexible member with a sloped surface of the restrictor.
61. The method of claim 58 wherein restricting movement of the flexible member
through the restrictor comprises engaging the flexible member with opposing edges
of the restrictor.
62. The method of claim 55 further comprising providing the anchor with the restrictor
oriented to selectively restrict longitudinal movement of the flexible member.
63. The method of claim 55 further comprising providing the anchor with the restrictor
positioned along a path for passage of the flexible member through the anchor body
along a longitudinal direction of the flexible member.
64. The method of claim 55 further comprising receiving the flexible member through
a through hole defined by a continuous wall portion in the anchor body.
65. A bone anchor, comprising:
an anchor body configured to be retained within bone and to selectively restrict
movement of a flexible member coupled thereto, the anchor body defining an opening
bounded by a sloped wall, the sloped wall configured to compress the flexible member
to permit passage of the flexible member through the opening in a first direction,
the sloped wall including a portion configured to engage the flexible member to
restrict passage of the flexible member through the opening in a second, opposite
direction.
66. The bone anchor of claim 65 wherein the sloped wall is configured to permit
passage of the flexible member through the opening in the first direction when
one end portion of the flexible member is pulled and the portion is configured
to restrict passage of the flexible member through the opening in the second direction
when an opposite end portion of the flexible member is pulled.
67. The bone anchor of claim 66 wherein the anchor body further comprises a second
sloped wall bounding the opening.
68. The bone anchor of claim 67 wherein the sloped walls are configured to compress
the flexible member therebetween to permit passage of the flexible member through
the opening in the first direction.
69. The bone anchor of claim 67 wherein the second sloped wall has a portion,
the portions comprising opposing edges for engaging the flexible member to restrict
passage of the flexible member through the opening in the second direction.
70. The bone anchor of claim 65 wherein the portion is oriented to selectively
restrict longitudinal movement of the member.
71. The bone anchor of claim 65 wherein the anchor body defines a path for passage
of the flexible member through the anchor body along a longitudinal direction of
the flexible member and the portion is positioned along the path.
72. The bone anchor of claim 65 wherein the anchor body comprises a continuous
wall portion defining a through hole for receiving the flexible member therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to tissue fixation devices and methods for tissue repair.
Fibrous tissues, such as ligaments and tendons, can detach from bone. The
detachment can be repaired using sutures. It is known to fix a fibrous tissue to
bone by inserting a suture anchor through the fibrous tissue and into the bone
and knotting suture attached to the anchor to tie down the fibrous tissue to the
bone. Tying suture knots in minimally invasive surgical procedures commonly requires
a skilled surgeon and/or specialized equipment.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the invention, a bone anchor includes an anchor
body configured to be retained within bone and to selectively restrict movement
of a flexible member coupled to the bone anchor such that after implantation, the
flexible member can be moved through the anchor body in a first direction while,
without the aid of an enlarged portion on the flexible member, e.g., a knot, movement
in a second, opposite direction can be restricted.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The bone anchor includes a restrictor configured to engage
the flexible member to selectively restrict movement of the flexible member. The
restrictor is configured to engage the flexible member at a substantially arbitrary
position along a length of the flexible member. The anchor body defines an opening
through which the flexible member can be moved, and the restrictor is configured
to engage the flexible member to selectively restrict passage of the flexible member
through the opening. The restrictor defines at least a part of the opening, for
example, a narrower portion of the opening than another portion of the opening.
In an illustrated embodiment, the restrictor includes a sloped surface configured
to compress the flexible member to permit passage of the flexible member through
the opening, and opposing edges for engaging the flexible member to limit passage
of the flexible member through the opening.
The bone anchor includes a second restrictor configured to engage the flexible
member to selectively restrict passage of the flexible member through the opening.
The restrictors are oppositely directed.
The anchor body includes a pair of legs, a bone-engaging ridge for retaining
the bone anchor in a bone hole, and a post about which the flexible member is positionable.
The anchor body is a unitary body.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tissue repair system includes
a first anchor body including a member that engages bone to retain the anchor within
the bone and a second anchor body including a member that engages bone to retain
the anchor within the bone. The anchor bodies each define an opening for receiving
suture and a restrictor forming a one-way passage through the opening. The anchor
bodies are coupled by a suture extending through the one-way passages.
According to another aspect of the invention, a bone anchor includes an
anchor body configured to be retained within bone and to receive a flexible member
such that after implantation of the anchor body within bone, the flexible member
can be moved through the anchor body while, without the aid of an enlarged portion
on the flexible member, subsequent movement of the anchor body can be restricted.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tissue repair system includes
a flexible member, and first and second bone anchors coupled together by the flexible
member. Each bone anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within
bone. At least one of the bone anchors is configured to receive the flexible member
such that the flexible member can be pulled to shorten a length of the flexible
member between the bone anchors, while, without the aid of an enlarged portion
on the flexible member, subsequent lengthening of the flexible member between the
bone anchors can be restricted.
According to another aspect of the invention, a bone anchor includes an
anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body defines a one-way
passage configured to pass a suture in a first direction and restrict passage of
the suture in a second direction opposite the first direction.
According to another aspect of the invention, a bone anchor includes an
anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor
defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough,
and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough without the
aid of an enlarged portion on the member.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method includes placing
an anchor in bone, moving a flexible member through the anchor in a first direction,
and restricting movement of the flexible member through the anchor in a second,
opposite direction.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include placing a second
anchor in bone. The second anchor is coupled to the first anchor by the flexible
member. The step of moving the flexible member in the first direction shortens
a length of the flexible member between the anchors.
According to another aspect of the invention, a bone anchor includes an
anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor
defining an opening having a first portion for permitting passage of a member therethrough,
and a second portion restricting passage of the member therethrough. The member
is movable between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to
a direction of passage of the member through the opening.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of
the following features.
The restrictor includes one or more edges lining a wall of the opening. The edge
is oriented obliquely to a direction of passage of the member through the opening.
Some of the edges are oriented at the same oblique angle relative to the direction
of passage of the member through the opening, and some of the edges are oriented
parallel to each other.
A dimension of the second portion is narrower than a diameter of the member.
The
opening is triangular in shape. The anchor is configured such that the member is
movable between the first and second portions substantially perpendicularly to
a direction of passage of the member through the opening.
In an illustrated embodiment, the anchor body includes a tissue penetrating tip,
and a central body member with a driver coupling. The anchor body includes one
or more resilient members with sharp, proximal edges for penetrating bone tissue.
The anchor body is a unitary body.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tissue repair system includes
a first bone anchor with an anchor body configured to be retained within bone,
and a second bone anchor with an anchor body configured to be retained within bone.
A flexible member couples the first and second bone anchors. At least one of the
first and second anchor bodies includes a restrictor defining an opening having
a first portion for passage of the flexible member therethrough, and a second portion
limiting passage of the flexible member therethrough. The flexible member is movable
between the first and second portions in a direction non-parallel to a direction
of passage of the member through the opening.
According to another aspect of the invention, a bone anchor includes an
anchor body configured to be retained within bone. The anchor body includes a restrictor
defining an opening for passage of a member therethrough. The restrictor includes
an edge lining a wall of the opening oriented such that upon movement of the member
through the opening in a first direction, the member is also moved non-parallel
to the first direction.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include the edge being
oriented such that upon movement of the member through the opening in a second
direction opposite the first direction, the member is also moved non-parallel to
the second direction. The restrictor includes a second edge lining a wall of the
opening. The second edge is oriented such that upon movement of the member through
the opening in a second direction opposite the first direction, the member is also
moved non-parallel to the second direction.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method includes placing
