Soft tissue repair system
A suture anchor delivery system includes a handle having a needle extending therefrom. A suture anchor assembly is slidably received on the needle. The suture anchor assembly includes a proximal anchor, a distal anchor, and a suture extending therebetween. The suture is secured to the proximal anchor by forming a loop in the suture and passing the loop at least partially through a passageway in the proximal anchor. One end of the suture is then secured to the distal anchor. The other end of the suture is passed through the loop and terminates in a free end to selectively lock the suture against the proximal anchor. A retraction line is passed through the loop to allow a surgeon to selectively adjust the length of the suture between the two anchors and/or to selectively unlock the suture from the proximal anchor.
This application is a continuation of:
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/180,901, filed Jun. 26, 2002, which carries Applicants' docket no. 13447.7, and is entitled SOFT TISSUE REPAIR SYSTEM.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to suture anchors used for surgically repairing soft tissue, as well as instrumentation and methods for deploying such anchors.
2. The Relevant Technology
One common type of soft tissue injury is the tearing of the meniscus within the joint of the knee. The meniscus plays an important role in absorbing impact and preventing the bones of the knee joint from directly wearing against each other. Tears commonly occur from an accident or while participating in a sporting activity. Such injuries can produce continued or repeated inflammation of the knee joint and, in more extreme cases, produce binding on the knee joint, thereby preventing normal mobility.
A common surgical procedure to remedy the injury is to remove the torn portion of the meniscus through an arthroscopic procedure. Depending on how much of the meniscus is removed, however, this procedure can result in direct contact by the bones of the knee joint during normal activity. As such, the bones begin to wear, potentially creating other problems in the future.
A tear in the meniscus can be healed if the tissue bounding the tear is securely held together for a sufficiently long period of time to allow the tissue to bind together. Although a number of different pin and anchor systems have been developed for facilitating repair of a torn meniscus, each of the conventional approaches has shortcomings. Most commonly, the pin and anchor systems do not sufficiently hold the tissue together to allow healing of the tear. Another common shortcoming is that the pin or anchor systems require some structure to remain in or on the bearing surface of the meniscus. This structure is compressed between the bones of the knee joint during normal use. As such, the structure can produce wear on the meniscus and/or the bones of the knee joint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSVarious embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.
Depicted in
Insertion device 10 comprises a handle 16 having a needle assembly 17 extending therefrom. Handle 16 has an exterior surface 24 extending between a proximal end 12 and an opposing distal end 14. Although handle 16 is shown having a generally circular transverse cross section, it is appreciated that handle 16 may have any of a variety of alternative cross-sectional shapes such as, but not limited to, square, rectangular, oblong, triangular, and the like.
As shown in
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A lever 37 is slidably mounted on handle 16. Specifically, lever 37 comprises a slide plate 38 having a top surface 39 and an opposing bottom surface 41. Bottom surface 41 of slide plate 38 rides against top surface 27 of handle 16. An arm 40 downwardly projects from bottom surface 41 of slide plate 38, through slot 36, and into chamber 28. A rib outwardly projects from each side of arm 40 within chamber 28 so as to retain arm 40 within chamber 28. A passageway 45 extends through arm 40 in alignment with passageways 30 and 32. Lever 37 further comprises a thumb rest 43 upwardly projecting from top surface 39 of slide plate 38. Lever 37 is selectively operable along slot 36 between a retracted distal position as shown in
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In the embodiment shown in
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Since sleeve 34 is connected to lever 37, sleeve 34 is slid between an advanced position and a retracted position as lever 37 is selectively moved between its advanced and retracted positions. For example, depicted in
Needle 18 is typically made of a metal, such as stainless steel, but can also be made of plastic, composite, or other desired material. Where needle 18 is straight, sleeve 34 can be made of the same material as needle 18. Where needle 18 is curved, however, sleeve 34 is typically made of a polymeric material stiff enough to advance an anchor of suture anchor assembly 20 but flexible enough to conform to the contour of needle 18 as sleeve 34 passes over needle 18. For example, in one embodiment, sleeve 34 is comprised of polyimide or polyethertherketone.
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A flexible prong 80 projects from proximal portion 85 of body 72 into notch 83 and extends below body 72. Prong 80 can be resiliently biased into notch 83 so as to be in alignment with body 72.
An elongated neck 78 upwardly projects from body 72 along the length thereof and spans across notch 83. Neck 78 terminates at a free top surface 93. A pair of spaced apart passageways 82A and 82B transversely extend between the opposing sides of neck 78. In alternative embodiments, one or three or more passageways 82 can be formed on distal anchor 58. Furthermore, passageways 82 can extend at a variety of other orientations. Positioned proximal of passageways 82, a wedged shaped flange 70 outwardly projects from each side of neck 78 at top surface 93. In alternative embodiments, flanges 70 can be eliminated or project from only one side of neck 78.
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It is appreciated that suture 60 can be secured to distal anchor 58 in a vast number of different ways. By way of example and not by limitation, suture 60 can be loop through a single passageway and then tied to itself. Alternatively, distal tip 99 can be passed through a single passageway. A large knot can then be formed at distal tip 99, the knot being sufficiently large to preclude distal tip 99 from passing back through the passageway. In yet other embodiments, distal end 86 of suture 60 can be secured to distal anchor 58 by an adhesive, clamp, being integrally molded therewith, or any number of other conventional fastening techniques.
Suture 60 extends from distal anchor 58 to proximal anchor 56. At proximal anchor 56, suture 60 extends from bottom surface 65 up through passageway 68A. A loop 88 is then formed on suture 60. As used in the specification and appended claims, the term “loop” is defined as a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked. Loop 88 is passed down through passageway 68B. Suture 60 proximal of loop 88 then passes down through passageway 68C where it then passes through loop 88.
A retraction line 94 is passed through loop 88 of suture 60 such that opposing ends 95 and 97 of retraction line 94 project from loop 88. Retraction line 94 comprises a suture or any other form of flexible line. It is appreciated that in one embodiment, retraction line 94 can comprise the proximal end of suture 60. Furthermore, retraction line 94 can be formed into a continuous loop. Retraction line 94 is positioned such that by simultaneously pulling on opposing ends 95 and 97, tension can be applied to loop 88 in a direction away from proximal anchor 56.
In the above assembled configuration, pulling on free end 92 of suture 60 selectively locks suture 60 to proximal anchor 56. Specifically, as free end 92 of suture 60 is tensioned, loop 88 begins to be retracted into passageway 68B. Passageway 68B has a diameter large enough to receive loop 88 but too small to permit loop 88 and the portion of suture 60 passing therethrough to be pulled through passageway 68B. For example, in one embodiment where suture 60 is a size 0 suture having a diameter in a range from about 0.013 inches to about 0.016 inches, passageway 68B is circular and has a diameter of about 0.25 inches. Accordingly, as the end of loop 88 begins to enter passageway 68B at the point were suture 60 passes therethrough, the overlapping suture 60 locks by a secure wedged frictional engagement against or within the opening to passageway 68B of proximal anchor 56. To release this locked engagement, retraction line 94 is pulled on which draws loop 88 away from passageway 68B, thereby releasing the locked engagement with proximal anchor 56. As will be discussed below in greater detail, by selectively drawing on proximal end 84 of suture 60 and retraction line 94, any slack in suture 60 between suture anchors 56 and 58 can be removed. Suture 60 can then be locked to proximal anchor 56.
In the loaded state shown in
Referring now to
Specifically, needle 18 penetrates inside surface 102 of meniscus 98, passes through tear 100, and exits through outside face 104. Needle 18 is advanced to the extent that all of distal anchor 58 extends past outside face 104 of meniscus 98. The soft tissue of meniscus 98 sufficiently encloses around needle 18 such that as needle 18 is retracted from meniscus 98, the exposed neck 78 and flanges 70 catch on outside face 104 of meniscus 98. Distal anchor 58 is thus dislodged from needle 18 by overcoming the resistance force of prong 80 and sliding distally off of needle 18.
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Proximal anchor 56 is now secured to meniscus 98 at a short distance from distal anchor 58. Specifically, as shown in
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With needle 18 removed, proximal anchor 56 is disposed on outside surface 104 of meniscus 98. Because of the way proximal anchor 56 is secured to suture 60 (described above with reference to
Once proximal anchor 56 and distal anchor 58 are positioned, the length of suture 60 between proximal anchor 56 and distal anchor 58 is adjusted. Generally, extra slack is provided in the length of suture 60 between proximal anchor 56 and distal anchor 58 to ensure easy placement of anchors 56 and 58. Once anchors 56 and 58 are placed, however, the extra slack must be removed so that suture 60 holds tear 100 sufficiently tightly closed to ensuring healing thereat.
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As long as retention line 94 remains in loop 88, it is possible to selectively unlock suture 60 from proximal anchor 56. To do so, the surgeon simply applies tension to retention line 94 to loosen loop 88. The surgeon can then increase or decrease the slack in suture 60. Thus, retention line 94 allows a surgeon to make any necessary readjustments to the length of suture 60 before finally locking suture 60.
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The methods and apparatuses of the present invention may be applicable in a wide variety of surgical applications, not limited to the example of the meniscal repair described above. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a single anchor or more than two anchors may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, suture anchor delivery system 10 may be used to employ a series of anchors within a soft tissue site. That is, a plurality of anchors may be slidably received in needle 18. Each anchor can be advanced to the distal end of needle 18 and then inserted as described above.
It is also appreciated that suture anchor assembly 20 or a discrete suture anchor thereof can be used independently of insertion device 10. For example, arthroscopic or other conventional procedures can be used to manually stitch soft tissue using a suture. Once the stitching is completed, the suture can be secured in place by use of a suture anchor described herein.
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A suture 120 is provided having a proximal end 122 and an opposing distal end 124. A portion of suture 120 is formed into a loop 126. Loop 126 is passed through passageway 108 so as to project beyond bottom surface 114. Proximal end 122 of suture 120 is then passed through loop 126. A retraction line 130 also passes through loop 126. Although retraction line 130 is depicted as a continuous loop, retraction line 130 can also comprise a linear line that is looped through loop 126.
By holding one of proximal end 122 or distal end 124 taut and then pulling on the other, loop 126 begins to retract into passageway 108. This retraction continues until the overlapping sections of suture 120 at loop 126 lock with anchor 106 by a secure wedged frictional engagement against or within the opening to passageway 108 of anchor 106. If desired, an enlarged concentrically disposed recess bore can be formed at the opening of passageway 108. In this embodiment, the overlapping sections of suture 120 are received within the recess bore before locking against the constricted portion of passageway 108.
As with proximal anchor 56 previously discussed, retraction line 130 facilitates selective unlocking of the suture 120 from anchor 106. Retraction line 130 also enables selective removal or addition of slack from or to either proximal end 122 or distal end 124 of suture 120. Once suture 120 is positioned and/or locked at the desired location, retraction line 130 can be removed by being pulled through loop 126.
Depicted in
By pulling on end 122 and/or end 124 of suture 120, loop 134 constricts about the portion of suture 120 extending therethrough, thereby locking suture 120 to suture anchor 131. Retraction line 130 enables selective expansion of loop 134 so as to unlock suture 120 from anchor 131 and to enable selective adjustment of slack in suture 120.
Depicted in
By pulling on end 122 and/or end 124 of suture 120, loop 138 retracts into passageways 140A and/or 140B until the remaining portion of loop 138 securely biases the portion of suture 120 passing therethrough against the exterior surface of suture anchor 136, thereby securely locking suture 120 to suture anchor 136. Again, retraction line 130 enables selective expansion of loop 138 so as to unlock suture 120 from anchor 136 and to enable selective adjustment of slack in suture 120.
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It is appreciated that the retractions lines disclosed herein can also be used for selectively unlocking sutures secured on other configurations of suture anchors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,060 discloses suture anchors having a suture selectively locked thereon. A retraction line can be passed through loop 24 of the disclosed sutures to selectively unlock the suture and to adjust slack therein. For purposes of disclosure, columns 4-6 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,060 and all of the drawings thereof are hereby incorporated by reference. Other alternative suture anchors that can also be used in association with the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Publication No. US 2002/0019649 A1, published Feb. 14, 2002. For purposes of disclosure, paragraphs [0101]-[0206] of U.S. Publication No. US 2002/0019649 A1 and all of the drawings thereof are hereby incorporated by reference.
The various anchors of the present invention can be made in a variety of different ways using a variety of one or more different materials. By way of example and not by limitation, the various anchors can be made from medical grade bioabsorbable or non-absorbable materials. Examples of bioabsorbable materials include homopolymers and copolymers of lactide, glycolide, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, and p-dioxanone and blends or other combinations thereof and equivalents thereof. Examples of non-absorbable materials include metals such as stainless steel, titanium, Nitinol, cobalt, alloys thereof, and equivalents thereof and polymeric materials such as non-absorbable polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polyurethanes, and polyacetals and equivalents thereof.
The anchors may be manufactured as a single piece using standard machining or molding techniques. Alternatively, discrete elements of the anchors can be manufactured separately and then connected together using conventional methods and materials. In such an embodiment, each discrete element may be made from the same or different materials.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A suture anchor assembly comprising:
- an anchor having a first passageway extending through at least a portion of the anchor;
- a suture comprising a proximal end and an opposing distal end, a portion of the suture between the proximal end and the distal end being formed into a loop, the loop being at least partially passed through the first passageway, at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the suture being passed through the loop such that pulling on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the suture that is passed through the loop causes the suture to selectively lock against the anchor; and
- a retraction line threaded through the loop of the suture such that the application of tension by the retraction line on the loop causes the suture to selectively unlock from the anchor.
2. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second passageway extending through at least a portion of the anchor, a portion of the proximal end or the distal end of the suture that is passed through the loop passing through the second passageway before passing through the loop.
3. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third passageway extending through at least a portion of the anchor, a portion of the proximal end or the distal end of the suture that is not passed through the loop passing through the third passageway.
4. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a channel recessed on the anchor, the channel intersecting with the first passageway.
5. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second anchor, the suture being secured to the second anchor distal of the loop.
6. A suture anchor assembly comprising:
- an anchor having a first passageway and a spaced apart second passageway each extending through at least a portion of the anchor;
- a suture comprising a proximal end and an opposing distal end, a portion of the suture between the proximal end and the distal end passing through the first passageway and the second passageway so as to form a loop, at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the suture being passed through the loop such that pulling on at least one of the proximal end or distal end of the suture that is passed through the loop causes the suture to selectively lock against the anchor; and
- a retraction line threaded through the loop of the suture such that the application of tension by the retraction line on the loop causes the suture to selectively unlock from the anchor.
7. The suture anchor assembly recited in claim 6, wherein the loop is coiled so as to form a closed loop, the suture and retraction line passing through the closed loop.
8. The suture anchor assembly recited in claim 6, wherein the proximal end of the suture is passed through the loop.
9. The suture anchor assembly recited in claim 6, further comprising a third passageway extending through the anchor, the suture passing through the third passageway prior to passing through the loop.
10. A suture anchor assembly comprising:
- an anchor comprising: a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; an elongated channel recessed into the bottom surface; and a first passageway and a spaced apart second passageway extending from the top surface to the channel; and
- a suture comprising a proximal end and an opposing distal end, a portion of the suture between the proximal end and the distal end being formed into a loop, the loop being at least partially passed through the first passageway, at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the suture being passed through the second passageway and then through the loop such that pulling on the proximal end or the distal end of the suture that is passed through the loop causes the suture to selectively lock against the anchor.
11. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising a retraction line threaded through the loop of the suture such that tension can be applied on the loop through the retraction line.
12. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the anchor further comprises a third passageway, wherein the proximal end or the distal end of the suture that is not passed through the loop is passed through the third passageway.
13. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a second anchor, wherein the proximal end or the distal end of the suture that is not passed through the loop is secured to the second anchor.
14. A suture anchor assembly as recited in claim 13, further comprising a channel recessed on the anchor, the channel intersecting with the first passageway and the second passageway.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 18, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 23, 2006
Inventors: T. Fallin (Hyde Park, UT), M. Miller (San Jose, CA), Gordon Baker (Paradise, UT)
Application Number: 11/253,769
International Classification: A61B 17/04 (20060101);