METHOD FOR SECURING SUTURES TO BONES
A method for securing a repair, such as a rotator cuff repair and includes an anchor placed within a hole formed in bone and a cannulated screw inserted into the hole after the anchor has been inserted to effectuate a firm and secure connection of tissue to bone, particularly when the quality of the bone does not permit optimal fixation. The method allows superior tissue fixation to bone with the ease of knotless suture anchor application.
The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/453,290, filed May 6, 2009, entitled “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SECURING SUTURES TO BONE”, which is currently pending, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/071,568, filed on May 6, 2008. The subject matter of the provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDuring surgery, anchors have been used with sutures to reattach tissue to bone. The anchors have been inserted into holes that have been pre-drilled. Difficulties arise when the anchor has been inserted and is not flush with the top of the bone mass. Additionally, the anchor has been known to move or adjust thereby jeopardizing a secure repair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONPart of a successful surgery to reconnect tissue to bone requires that sutures firmly secure the tissue to the bone. It is important that the repair have long term stability. The disclosed method, system and device for securing the repair includes an anchor placed within a pre-drilled hole formed in bone and a cannulated screw inserted into the hole after the anchor, and holding same in place, to effectuate a firm and secure connection of tissue to bone, particularly when the quality of the bone does not permit optimal fixation. The method, system and device allows superior screw in fixation with the ease of knotless suture anchor application.
The method can be applied to any repair requiring tissue to be reattached to bone. Further, the bone anchor, or cannulated bone screw can be made of any desirable material and may be of bioabsorbable or bioreplaceable material. Either implanted device may change over time.
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. A method of firmly securing tissue to a bone mass comprising the steps of:
- a) drilling or punching a hole in the bone mass;
- b) inserting a fixation anchor, having at least one suture element attached thereto, into the hole, thereby drawing tissue that has been secured by the at least one suture, into secure attachment with the bone mass; and
- c) inserting a cannulated bone screw into the hole to prevent movement of the anchor.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the cannulated bone screw is screwed into the hole for secure engagement.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the anchor and the screw are both inserted by an inserter rod which passes through the cannulated bone screw and inserts the anchor into the hole drilled in the bone mass.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the suture element is captured by the anchor during the anchor's insertion into the hole.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the inserter rod has markings to measure the distance the anchor has been inserted into the bone mass and allow for correctly sizing of a length of the screw.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the inserter rod is removed once the screw has been placed into secure engagement with the anchor.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the suture element is first inserted via a screw anchor into the bone mass; the suture is passed through the tissue element and then captured by an anchor for insertion into the hole.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the screw anchor has one or more suture loops attached thereto.
12. The method of claim 4, wherein the anchor has at least one adjustable length suture loop attached thereto.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one adjustable length suture loop is adjustable using a sliding, self-locking knot.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 4, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2012
Inventor: Jeffrey H. Berg (Ashburn, VA)
Application Number: 13/252,494
International Classification: A61B 17/04 (20060101);