Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
KNOTLESS SUTURE ANCHOR ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. _Fi~ld of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices or assemblies
used in tissue repair. More particularly, the assembly enables
the attachment together or repair of portions of biological
tissue (i.e.; tendons or ligaments? onto a bone surface.
2. Description of the Hackcrround Art
Soft tissues, such as tendons and.ligaments, generally
are attached to bone by small collagenous fibers. These
connections are strong but permit the tendons and ligaments to
be flexible_ When a tissue is torn away frotn the bone and
requires repair, a surgeon is often required to repair the
detached soft tissue with sutures which are passed through bone
tunnels and tied. A number of devices have been developed for
securing a ligament or tendon to a bone mass. These devices can
be used in place of bone tunnelling techniques . These attachment
devices are usually inserted through extensive surgical incisions
and, in some circumstances, by arthroscopi_c surgical techniques.
The use of bone tunnels for repair can be difficult and generally
require large open incisions. Recently, through the advent of
endoscopic surgery, where the surgeon looks into a joint cavity
with a telescope, there has been a trend to repair soft tissues
back to bone through small incisions called portals. The unique
knotless suture anchor assemblies described herein facilitate
this difficult and precise procedure.
A variety of devices are available for attaching
objects to bone, such as screws, staples, cement, suture anchors,
and sutures alone. These devices have been used to attach soft
tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, as well as objec~.s
such as protheses, to bone. A suture anchor is a device whiWn
utilizes small anchors with suture materials attached thereto.
A device, such as a screw, is inserted into the bone mass and
anchored in place. After insertion of the anchor, the attached
suture is passed through the tissue to be repaired. The tying
of a knot in the suture is then required to secure the tissue to
the bone. The process of passing the anchored suture through the
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
G
soft tissue and tying a knot is time consuming and difficult to
undertake in the tight space encountered during endoscopic
surgerw,~ and sometimes even in conventional open surgery.
One example of a suture anchor assembly is disclosed
in U. S . Patent No . 5 , 370 , 662 , wherein an anchor assembly includes
a pre-threaded suture positioned at its posterior. First the
anchor is inserted into the bone mass. The attached suture is
then passed through the tissue for reattachment . The surgeon is
requir_~>_d to tie a knot with the suture to complete the surgical
proces;~. Some suture anchors can be passed through the soft
tissue first and then into the bone. Most suture anchors need
to be inserted into the bone first. Only after this has been
accomplished can the sutures be passed through the soft tissue.
Altern,3tives to this procedure include non-suture soft tissue
Z5 anchor systems. A few of these systems, such as those disclosed
in U.~~. Patent Nos. 5,013,316 and 4,532,926, can be used
arthro:~copically but fixation with these devices may not be as
secure as that achieved with sutures. Only a few points of
fixation are possible with the non-suture type anchor since the
device is relatively large. Therefore suture devices are more
favorable. This type of non-suture staple device is disadvanta-
geous in that it has been known to cracJc the bone during
deployment, or accidentally transect the object being attached
to the bone. In addition, the device itself has been known to
crack or, break during or after deployment.
U.S. Patent Nos. 5,037,422; 5,224,946; and 5,236,445
all disclose bone anchor configurations for attaching sutures
within openings formed in bones during joint reconstru ctive
surgery and endoscopic surgical procedures. Witl all. these
intri~~ate procedures, the suture itself must be inserted through
a tissue mass and tied with a surgical knot to repair the soft
tissue to bone.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide
a sut~..~.re anchor assembly which is easy to use and install.
Another object of the present invention is to provide
a sut~.~re anchor assembly which allows for secure attachment of
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
3
soft tissue to bone without the use or requirement of tying a
knot.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide a suture anchor assembly which is compact and allows a
surgeon to easily guide the tissue into a bone anchoring sleeve
to enhance the security of the repair.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide an anchor assembly which allows for passage through sof t
tissue in a singular fashion without the need for additional
instrumentation for passing the suture separately through the
soft tissue to be repaired.
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
4
SUI~IARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the above objects, the present
invention is a knotless suture anchor assembly for attachment or
reattachment of bioloqical soft tissue to bone. The uniaue
knotless suture anchor assembly includes a hollow anchoring sleeve
which is installed into a bone mass. The anchoring sleeve can
have a closed pointed drill end or be totally cylindrical in
shape. The hollow anchoring sleeve can be ribbed or threaded on
its exterior for secure attachment to the bone or embody varying
types of anchor configurations to facilitate a strong bond with
the bone mass. A number of prior patents disclose configurations
for the exterior of a bone anchor which are within the
contemplation of the invention for use as the anchoring means for
the exterior of the hollow anchoring sleeve.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,007,743; 4,632,101; 4,721,103;
4,870,957; 4,898,156; 4,946,468; 5,084,050; 5,102,421; 5,141,520;
5,192,303; and 5,207,679 all illustrate varying exterior
structures which may embody the anchoring sleeve portion of the
invention. These patents disclose various means and mechanisms
for anchoring a device to a bone mass thus preventing pull-out of
the sleeve after insertion into bone.
Further, the hollow anchoring sleeve can contain a
collar on the rear portion or rear side of the hollow anchoring
sleeve to control the depth of sleeve insertion into the bone and
prevent excessive insertion depth.
A second component of the knotless suture anchor assembly is
the spike or plug member which has on its first end a
configuration which allows for easy puncturing of a soft tissue
and on its second or other end a means for attachment of a suture
material. The first end can be pointed or frustoconical in shape.
The spike or plug can be ribbed, beaded, threaded or expandable
on its exterior surface for secure mating with the interior wall
section of the hollow anchoring sleeve . The suture material which
is attached to the rear end of the spike or plug member has at
least one loop portion positioned at its other end. The loop
portion can be the same suture material as the suture
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
which is attached to the end of the spike or plug. ~llternative-
ly, the loop portion can be produced of a different material,
other than suture, with different characteristics (i.e. - molded
or metal) and can be attached to the spike or plug by a length
5 of suture. In the alternative, the suture can be attached in one
full loop on the rear end of the spike or plug member.
The spike or plug member, suture and loop portion can
be al~_ produced of the same material (i.e., molded). This would
obviate need for the second end of the spike or plug member to
have means for attachment of the suture thereto_
The spike or plug member is inserted during an open or
endoscopic procedure, or the like, through the soft tissue and
its piercing or pointed end is then threaded through the loop
portion formed in the suture material prior to its ultimate
insertion into the anchoring sleeve to facilitate a secure
mating. Once the spike or plug member is threaded through the
tissue and then through the loop portion and is inserted into the
hollow anchoring sleeve, it is then securely attached through
pressure by the surgeon into the sleeve. This attachment of the
20~ spike member to the hollow anchoring sleeve can be accomplished
in one step or in a number of depth control steps (i.e.,
ratchets) to fine tune the tightness of the repair. This ratchet
effect can be accomplished by a series of beads, ribs, thickening
or tl~e like on the exterior of the spike component. These would
mate with the interior of the anchor sleeve . This allows for the
tissue to be tightly attached to the bone mass. The unique
device~obviates the need for the surgeon to tie a knot with the
sutuoe material for reattachment of tissue to bone. Endoscopic
procedures and some open surgical procedures are extremely
dif f i.cult and must be completed in a very tight space . Obviation
of the need of tying a knot is extremely beneficial and innova-
tive.
Further, the unique knotless anchoring sleeve may be
formed in one complete assembly. The hollow anchoring sleeve has
one a nd for insertion into the bone mass and a suture material.
attached at its other end. The other end of the suture is
attached to the rear end of the spike or plug member. This spike
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
b
or plug member can then be inserted directly through the tissue
mass a.nd into the hollow anchoring sleeve for attachment of soft
tissue to bone. The length of the suture material is adjustable
based upon the requirements of the surgical procedure. The
procedure is a process wherein first the spike or plug member
which may be ribbed, beaded, threaded or expandable is inserted
through the soft tissue and then directly into the hollow
anchoring sleeve. The hollow anchoring sleeve is then inserted
into the bone mass. The soft tissue is thus secured to the bone
mass. Tension is then adjusted by the depth of the anchor
insertion and/or the ribbed, beaded, threaded or expandable
mechanism for mating the spike member into the hollow anchoring
sleeve.
In addition, it is within the contemplation of this
invention to produce a knotless suture anchor assembly that
includes a spike or plug member which can act as the bone anchor
and sl-,ike without the necessity of a hollow anchoring sleeve.
The spike or plug member, suture and loop portion is identical
to that described above with the added feature of the spike or
plug member having a bone anchoring means on its exterior
surface .
As previously described, the suture and loop portion
can vary in shape and be produced of the same or different
materials.
Numerous other features of various embodiments of the
7cnotlE:ss suture anchor assembly will be apparent from the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
7
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. la, lb, lc and ld are perspective views of a
hollow anchoring. sleeve made in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spike member with
suture element of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of a spike member with suture element of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates usage of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention in conjunction with a bone mass and
tissue during surgical reattachment;
FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the
invention in place after attachment of tissue to bone mass has
been completed;
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
present knotless suture anchor assembly;
FIG. 7 illustrates the procedure for attachment of
tissue to bone mass for the embodiment as outlined in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 6 showing
tissue attached to bone;
FIG. 9 illustrates the spike components for an
alternate embodiment of a knotless suture anchor ass embly in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of t he spike
components and hollow anchoring sleeves inserted through soft
tissue and mated together for attachment of tissue to bone mass;
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
8
FIG. 11 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIGS.
9 and 7.0 wherein tissue is attached to a bone mass in a secure
manner;
FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
present. invention;
FIG. 13 illustrates the embodiment of. FIG. 12 in
conjunction with a bone mass and tissue during surgical reattach
ment; .
FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 14 in
conjunction with a bone mass and tissue during surgical reattach-
ment; .
FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a harpoon
anchor;
FIG. 17. is an enlarged perspective view of an umbrella-
like anchor;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a ribbed
anchor;
anchor;
anchor: ;
anchor;
FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a wedge-like
FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a threaded
FIG. 2~ is an enlarged perspective view of a pronged
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
9
FIGS. 22a and 22b are perspective views of a spike
member with suture element and stop means made in accordance with
the present invention;
FIGS . 23a and 23b are perspective views of an alternate
embodiment of a spike member with suture element of the present
invention;
FIGS . 24a and 24b are perspective views of an alternate
embodiment of a spike member with suture element of the present
invention;
FIGS. 25a and 25b are perspective views of an alternate
embodiment of a spike 'member with suture element of the present
invention;
FIGS. 26a and 26b are perspective views of an alternate
embodiment of a spike member with suture element of the present
invention;
FIG. 27 illustrates the procedure for attachment of
tissue to bone mass for the embodiment as outlined in FIG. 22b;
FIG. 28 illustrates the procedure for attachment of
tissue to bone mass for the embodiment as outlined in FIG. 22a;
and
FTG. 29 illustrates one procedure for attachment of
tissue to bone mass for the embodiment as outlined in FIG. 23b.
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. l, the knotless suture anchor
assembly of the present invention contains as one integral
component a hollow anchoring sleeve for installation and
5 attachment to a bone mass. The hollow anchoring sleeve 1, as
shown in FIG. la, is cylindrical in shape and possesses ribs or
threads on its exterior. The device can also contain or be
configured with prongs, umbrella spokes, have threads, be
expandable, or have wedges, on its exterior, for secure attachment
10 with the bone mass. These exterior attachment features are known
to the industry.
FIG. lb illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
hollow anchoring sleeve 2 having a collar 3 to control depth of
bone penetration. The collar prevents the sleeve from being forced
too deep into the bone mass when the spike or plug member is
inserted.
FIG. lc illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
hollow anchoring sleeve 4 wherein the sleeve has a pointed closed
end 5 for ease of penetration into a bone mass.
FIG. 1d illustrates a hollow anchoring sleeve 7 with a
collar 6 and a closed pointed end 8 as an alternate construction.
As pointed out in the Summary of the Invention, the
hollow anchoring sleeve may also be shaped or configured with any
means to secure said structure to a bone mass. The hollow
anchoring sleeve may include a threaded exterior as disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 5,370,662. Further, the device may be expandable
as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,084,050. A configuration such
as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,037,422; 5,224,946; and
5,236,445 are also contemplated by the invention. Harpoon
configurations such as disclosed by U.S. Patent Nos. 5, 414, 520 and
5,102,421 are also contemplated for the hollow anchoring sleeve.
It is also within the contemplation of the present invent to
configure the anchoring sleeve in a harpoon-type
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
11
fashion such as disclosed by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,632,101 and
4,721,103 for secure anchoring within the bone mass. U.S. Patent
Nos. 4,898,156; 5,207,679; 4,946,468; and 5,192,303 disclose
anchoring mechanisms which can be utilized for the hollow sleeve
S member for installation within a bone mass. These patents fall
within the contemplation of the present invention for methods or
means for anchoring the sleeve to the bone mass. It is also
within the contemplation of the present invent to configure this
dowel-like hollow sleeve in any fashion to securely attach same
to a bone mass.
The interior surface of the hollow anchoring sleeve is
ribbed, beaded, threaded, expandable or smooth for secure
engagement with said exterior surface of said spike member.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the spike plug member
with suture element embodying the present invention. Spike or
plug member 12 is preferably cylindrical in shape with a sharp
first end 14 and a second end 16 wherein the suture element 18 is
attached. The suture element 18 has at its distal end a loop or
ring 22. The loop or ring portion 22 can be constructed of the
same suture material as suture element 18 or it can be a separate
molded material attached to the suture element 18 and loop portion
22 may be one molded component and attached to spike member 12 at
end 16 or they may be all (spike, suture element and loop portion)
one entire molded component. Further, the suture element 18,
alone, can be made from any type suture material which has been
approved for surgical procedures for attachment of tissue to bone.
The spike or plug member can form any shape so long as it mates
with the hollow cylindrical sleeve as described above. The
exterior of the spike or plug member 12 may be ribbed or threaded
24 as depicted in FIG. 2 or may be beaded or expandable to allow
for a secure tight fit wit the inner hollow cylinder of the
anchoring sleeve. Once inserted into a hollow anchoring sleeve,
the exterior surface of the spike or plug member 12 engages the
inner surface of the sleeve and can be ratcheted down to produce
the desired tight fit. This ratcheting effect allows for fine
tuning and tightening of the soft tissue to the bone during
repair. The length of the suture
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
1G
connection 18 is variable and may be adjusted prior to selection
of a tool or during surgical procedure through any appropriate
means. Likewise, the diameter of the loop 22 is adjustable and
may be replaced by one long strip of suture-like material, or
molded strip, 26 having a slot or hole 28 for insertion of the
spike or plug member once it has been passed through a tissue for
attachment.
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the spike
member. with suturing material. The spike member 32 has attached
at its rear end one complete loop of suture 34 which also has an
adjustable diameter for various thicknesses of tissue reattach-
ment.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a process
for reattachment of tissue to bone mass . Bone mass 42 has a slot
or hole 44 wherein a hollow anchoring sleeve 46 has been
inserted. A tissue 48 has inserted therein a spike member 52
threaded through loop 54 for reattachment to the bone mass 42.
FIG. 5 depicts the knotless suture anchor assembly in
place after the surgical procedure has been completed. Bone mass
62 has tissue 64 attached or reattached thereto.
The surgical procedure for reattaching or attaching
tissue to bone mass includes first installation of the hollow
anchoring sleeve 66. Secondly, the spice member 68 is inserted
through the tissue 64 and then through at least one loop portion
72. The spike 68 with tissue 64 securely attached thereto is
then secured directly into the anchoring sleeve 66 for attachment
of tissue 64 to bone mass 62 completing the method.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is disclosed an
alternate embodiment of the knotless suture anchor system ,82.
There is disclosed a hollow anchoring sleeve 84 having attached
thereto a spike or plug member 86 by a suture element 8 8. As
discussed and described above in a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the hollow anchoring sleeve 84 may take the shape or
form of almost any type of anchor device. All the patents listed
above are incorporated by reference. Configurations of the
hollow anchoring~sleeve having a collar, as well as a configura-
tion incorporating any type of umbrella ef;pansion means or
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
13
threading on the exterior or interior of the sleeve are contem-
plated as being part of the present invention. Further, the
spike or plug member 86 is preferably threaded on its exterior
with a pointed end for insertion through a tissue element. This
may take the form of any structure and preferably has an exterior
which is ribbed, beaded, threaded, smooth or expandable.
Likewise, the suture element 88 may be made of any acceptable
surgical suture material and in addition is lengthened based upon
thickness and need requirements.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is depicted the initial
step in the process for attachment of tissue to bone utilizing
the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6. A spike member 96 is
inserted through a tissue 94 and into a hollow anchoring sleeve
98. The assembly is then attached to a bone mass 92:
Referring now to FIG. 8, there is disclosed the
completed attachment or reattachment of tissue 102 to bone mass
104. The spike or plug member 106 is inserted through said
tissue 102 and then inserted into hollow anchoring sleeve 108 for
complete attachment to bone mass 104 at a previously drilled
section 110. This enables one to surgically reattach the tissue
102 to bone mass 104 in a virtual one step process.
Additionally, the process embodied by FIG. 8 may be
undertaken in two steps. First, the spike member 106 is inserted
through the soft tissue 102 and into the hollow anchoring sleeve
108.
Secondly, the entire assembly 112, spike member 106
which has been inserted into the sleeve 108, is inserted into the
bone mass 104. Regardless of the process used, the repair.
tightness is adjusted by the depth of anchor insertion into bone
and/or the ratcheting effect of the spike in the anchor sleeve.
FIG. 9 depicts an alternate preferred embodiment.
First and second spike or plug assembly members, 120 and 130,
respectively, are depicted for the knotless suture anchor
assembly. There is disclosed first spike or plug assembly member
120 having spike means 121 for insertion into a hollow anchoring
sleeve as depicted in FIGS. la - ld. Spike or plug member 121
is preferably threaded with a pointed end for insertion through
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
1~
a tissue element and secure fixation with said hollow anchoring
sleeve. The spike or plug member may take the form of any
structure and preferably has an exterior which is ribbed,
threaded, beaded, expandable or smooth. The diameter of
thickness of the member is preferably equal to or incrementally
less than the entire diameter of the hollow anchoring sleeve for
a secure fit. In situations where ribs, threads, beads, or the
like, are utilized on the spike member, the diameter of the
member with protrusions may initially exceed the inner diameters
of the hollow anchoring sleeve and would deform upon insertion.
The rear end 122 of the spike member 121 has attached
or tied thereto a suture element 123. The suture element 123 .has
attached or molded therewith a catch device, such as a ring
element, 124 which is preferably rigid. The spike member 121,
suture element 123 and catch device (ring element) 124 may be
made of separate materials or molded together as one piece. In
addition, the spike member 121 and suture element 123 may be
molded as one element or the suture element 123 and catch device
(ring element) 124 may be molded as one element.
Second spike assembly member 130 includes a spike or
plug member 131 for insertion into a hollow anchoring sleeve as
depicted in FIGS. la - 1d. The element 131 is described above
and can be the same or different as spike element 121. To the
rear end 132 of the spike member 131 there is tied or attached
a suture element. 133. The suture element 133 has attached or
molded therewith a spherical, or the like, stop means 134.
As stated above, the three components, spike member
131, suture element 133 and stop means 134 can be combined as
separate components or molded together as one entire component
or a combination of two components.
Referring now to FIG. 10, first spike assembly member
120 is inserted into tissue 140. The spike member I21 can be
inserted into a hollow anchoring sleeve 142 either before or
after the hollow anchoring sleeve 142 is inserted into bone mass
150. Spike member 131, of spike member assembly means 130, is
inserted through catch device (ring element) 124, of spike member
assembly 120. The spike member 131 is then inserted through
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
tissue 140 and then into hollow anchoring sleeve 144, or directly
into hollow anchoring sleeve 144. The hollow anchoring sleeve
144 can be anchored to bone mass 150 before or after spike member
131 has been inserted therein. The stop means 134 mates with
5 catch device (ring element) 124 dragging the tissue into a secure
fit with bone mass 150 (See FIG. 11.)
Once the spike members have been inserted into the
hollow anchoring sleeves they can be ratcheted down to a desired
depth to adjust the tightness of the soft tissue repair to bone
10 mass. Tightness can also be adjusted by the depth of anchor
sleeve insertion into the bone mass.
Stop means 134 may be spherical with a diameter greater
than catch device (ring element) 124, or may be any shape which
would facilitate a mating with the catch device. Likewise, the
15 catch device need not be circular, but requires only an opening
to allow passage of a spike member and prevent passage of the
stop means. The catch device 124, depicted in FIGS. 10.,and 11,
can take the form of a ring, square, slot, or any shape that will
cooperate and hold stop means 134 from being pulled therethrough.
Knotless suture anchor assembly 150 is an alternate
embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 12). The assembly 150
includes a spike/anchor means 152, a suture element 154, and a
loop portion 156 . As discussed above , the suture element 154 and
loop portion 156 may be made of the same or different materials.
In addition, the spike/anchor means 152 can be molded with the
suture element 154 and loop portion 156 as one piece or as
separate components, as desired. The spike/anchor means can be
configured, as desired, to securely attach the assembly 150 to
a bone mass. The spike/anchor means may include all the
attachment means as described above for the hollow anchoring
sleeve such as harpoon type means 158, prongs, umbrella spokes,
threads, wedges or the like.
Additionally, the entire suture element 154 may be
configured in a complete loop as depicted in FIG. 3, or may
merely have a slit along its length as depicted in FIG. 2.
When performing a procedure, loop portion 156 is pulled
through soft tissue 160. Once the loop portion 156 has been
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
1V
pulled through the soft tissue 160, the spike/anchor means 152
is inserted through the loop portion 156 and directly into bone
mass 170 for attachment of tissue 160 to bone mass 170. The
length of suture 154 and depth of insertion of the spike/anchor
means 152 controls the secure tightness of repair of tissue 160
to bone mass 170, and is adjusted as desired.
FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of the present invention
wherein a first knotless suture anchor assembly 180 is provided
as described in accordance with knotless suture anchor assembly
150, as depicted in FIG. 12 and previously described. A second
lcnotless suture anchor assembly 185 is also provided to being
used in conjunction with assembly 180 to perform a surgical
attachment of tissue to bone.
First the. catch device 181 is inserted through soft
tissue 190 from the underside of the tissue first (see FIG. 15).
Then a spike/anchor means 182 of assembly 180 is inserted into
the bone mass 192. Next, a spike/anchor means 186 (with bone
anchoring features) is threaded through catch device 181 and
inserted into bone mass 192. Stop means 187 mates with catch
device 181 and the sutures 183 and 188 are pulled taught to
securely attach soft tissue 190 to bone mass 192.
FIG. 22, including 22a and 22b, shows a perspective
view of the spike plug member with suture element and stop means,
of the two-piece and one-piece embodiment, respectively,
embodying the present invention. Spike or plug member 212 is
preferably cylindrical in shape with a sharp first end 214 and
a second end 216 wherein the suture element 218 is attached. The
suture element 218 has at its distal end a disc-like stop means
222. The stop means 222 can be constructed of any material may
be one molded component and attached to spike member 212 at end
216. Further, the suture element 218, alone, can be made from
any type suture material which has been approved for surgical
procedures or a molded material for attachment of tissue to bone .
The spike or plug member can form any shape so long as it mates
with the hollow cylindrical sleeve as described above. The
exterior of the spike or plug member 212 may be ribbed or
threaded 224 as depicted in FIG. 22 or may be beaded or expand-
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
17
able to allow for a secure tight fit with the inner. hollow
cylinder of the anchoring sleeve. Once inserted into a hollow
anchoring sleeve, the exterior surface of the spike or plug
member 212 engages the inner surface of the sleeve and can be
ratcheted down to produce the desired tight fit. The interface
of the spike and sleeve allows for movement of the spike in only
one direction and resists pullout or movement out of the sleeve.
This ratcheting effect allows for fine tuning and tightening of
the soft tissue to the bone during repair. The length of the
suture connection 218 is variable and may be adjusted prior to
selection of a tool or during surgical procedure through~any
appropriate means. Likewise, the diameter of the disc-like stop
means 222 is adjustable. FIG. 22b is identical to 22a but for
anchoring means 226 attached to the spike or plug member 228.
This one-piece embodiment allows for tissue reattachment without
an anchoring sleeve. The spike or plug member anchors directly
into the bone mass.
FIG. 23 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
spike member with suturing material and stop means . In FIG. 23a,
the spike member 232 has attached at its rear a suture 234 and
rod-like stop means 236. This is the embodiment of the one-piece
anchor. FIG. 23b illustrates the spike or plug member of the
two-piece embodiment when used in combination with an anchoring
sleeve.
FIG. 24 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
spike member with suturing material and stop means . In FIG. 24a,
the two-piece embodiment, Spike member 240 has attached thereto
at least one suture means 242 connected to a stop means 244
configured in the shape of a ring or hoop. FIG. 24b illustrates
the one-piece embodiment wherein anchoring means 246 is attached
to the spike or plug member 248 for attachment to bone without
an anchoring sleeve.
FIG. 25 contains alternate embodiments 25a and 25b.
FIG. 25a, the two-piece embodiment, includes a spike means 250,
a suture means 252 attached thereto, and an X-like stop means
254. FIG. 25b, the one-piece embodiment, illustrates an embodi-
ment of the configuration wherein anchoring means 256 is attached
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
1. Ei
to the spike or plug means 258 for attachment to bone when an
anchoring sleeve is not utilized.
FIG. 26 contains FIGS. 26a and 26b which are alternate
embodiments of the invention including a spike member 260,
suturing means 262 attached thereto, and a stop means 264 config
ured in a horseshoe configuration. FIG. 26b illustrates an
alternate embodiment of the horseshoe configuration wherein the
spike or plug member 266 has anchoring means 268 attached thereon
for direct attachment to bone without the utilization of an
anchoring sleeve.
Referring now to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, there is illus-
trated a surgical procedure for reattaching or attaching tissue
to bone depicting the spike or plug embodiments illustrated in
FIG. 22. The procedure can be enacted for any of the embodiments
outlined in FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. FIG. 27 illustrates the
procedure wherein an anchoring sleeve is not utilized. Spike or
plug means 270 having anchoring means 272 is inserted through
tissue 274 and directly into bone 276. The stop means 278 grabs
the tissue 274 and pulls same back into reattachment or attach-
ment with bone 276 when the spike or plug member is forced into
the opening in the bone. The tightness of the repair is adjusted
by the length of suture 270 and/or the depth of the insertion of
spike member 272 into the bone mass.
FIG. 28 depicts a procedure wherein an anchoring sleeve
280 is first inserted into bone mass 282. Subsequent to the
insertion of the anchoring sleeve 280, a spike or plug member 286
is inserted through tissue 284 and into the anchoring sleeve 280.
The spike or plug member 286 is then ratcheted down into the
anchoring sleeve 280 to pull tissue mass 284 into direct and
secure mating with bone mass 282.
Referring now to FIG. 29, there is an alternate
surgical procedure disclosed for utilization of the rod-like stop
means depicted in FIG. 23. Initially the rod-like stop means 290
is inserted through tissue mass 292. Once the rod-like stop
means rests on top of the tissue mass, the spike or plug member
294 is then inserted into a previously inserted anchoring sleeve
296. The spike or plug member 294 is then ratcheted down into
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
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the anchoring sleeve for secure mating or attachment of the
tissue 292 to the bone mass 300. This procedure may also be
undertaken with the one-piece anchor having a spike or plug means
as depicted in FIG. 23a which omits the initial insertion of an
anchoring sleeve.
In addition to the shapes illustrated for the stop or
catch means portion of the invention, the stop means can be any
planar or non-planar shape such as, but not limited to, C-shaped,
planar with one or more openings, bar-shaped, curved or non-
planar bar-shaped. Further the stop means is attached to the
spike or plug member by one or more suture elements. The suture
element or connection can be made up of a known suture material
such as Ethibond~ or Prolene~, or it can be made of polymer
materials such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The
connection or suture element can be formed of bio-absorbable
material such as a polylactide polymer . Additionally, the suture ,
element can be part of the stop means and formed by a molding
process or the like.
The suture element can be connected to the stop means
and an anchor in a variety of ways such as fusion or molding or
by mechanical means such as glue, a weld or by mere tieing.
In many situations throughout the discussion above, the
terminology secure attachment of soft tissue to bone has been
used. Such terminology refers to the attachment or reattachment
of tissue to bone through the insertion of a spike member into
a hollow anchoring. sleeve or a spike/anchor means into a bone
mass. In the former situation, the spike member can seat into.
the sleeve in a one step mating procedure or be inserted and
ratcheted down in a step wise fashion into the sleeve.. Either
situation will function effectively and selection is based upon
the instant facts of the surgical procedure. Further, the sleeve
itself may be seated in the bone mass at varying depths. Again,
such depth is a selection based upon the facts of the instant
procedure. In the latter situation, where a spike/anchor.means
is used, depth of insertion of the device into the bone is a
selection or choice of the surgeon during.the procedure. In all
situations, the spike member or sp,ike/anchor means is designed
CA 02306528 2000-OS-17
lU
not to back up or exit once mated with the sleeve, ratcheted down
into the sleeve, or inserted into the bone mass to avoid and
prevent withdrawal therefrom.
It is also within the contemplation of the invention
to make the spike or plug member for direct insertion inta the
bone with screws, prongs, spikes, a wedge means or any means
wherein the spike or plug member anchors securely into the bone
mass facilitating attachment or reattachment of tissue to skin.
Further, the spike or plug member or a portion of the
spike or plug member may be made with bioabsorbable material.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention in a
knotless suture anchor system has been shown and described
herein, it should be understood that the present disclosure is
made by way of example only and that variations to the structure
shown and its use are possible within the scope of this disclo-
sure without departing from the subject matter coming within the
scope of the fo~.lowing claims, and a reasonable equivalency
thereof, which claims we regard as our invention.
