A61B 17/0401
Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone
Official title: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)}
A61B17/0401 (Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone) appears on 6,684 US grants and 8,592 published applications in this corpus.
Search patents in A61B- Granted patents
- 6,684
- Published applications
- 8,592
- Assignees
- 1,393
- Inventors
- 7,037
- Latest grant
- 6 Oct 2026
Filings by year
| Year | Granted patents | Published applications |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 3 | 0 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 5 | 0 |
| 1987 | 6 | 0 |
| 1988 | 8 | 0 |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 8 | 0 |
| 1992 | 20 | 0 |
| 1993 | 17 | 0 |
| 1994 | 35 | 0 |
| 1995 | 44 | 0 |
| 1996 | 66 | 0 |
| 1997 | 79 | 0 |
| 1998 | 86 | 0 |
| 1999 | 91 | 0 |
| 2000 | 99 | 0 |
| 2001 | 76 | 47 |
| 2002 | 64 | 122 |
| 2003 | 113 | 150 |
| 2004 | 73 | 210 |
| 2005 | 44 | 259 |
| 2006 | 86 | 291 |
| 2007 | 66 | 316 |
| 2008 | 70 | 314 |
| 2009 | 112 | 305 |
| 2010 | 196 | 328 |
| 2011 | 225 | 334 |
| 2012 | 245 | 408 |
| 2013 | 292 | 409 |
| 2014 | 346 | 445 |
| 2015 | 372 | 405 |
| 2016 | 379 | 427 |
| 2017 | 357 | 448 |
| 2018 | 340 | 396 |
| 2019 | 398 | 458 |
| 2020 | 411 | 432 |
| 2021 | 361 | 383 |
| 2022 | 329 | 396 |
| 2023 | 300 | 373 |
| 2024 | 286 | 341 |
| 2025 | 348 | 345 |
| 2026 | 207 | 250 |
By publication year. Applications have been published since 2001. 2026 runs to 8 Oct.
Subgroups
Granted patents
- A61B 2017/0409Instruments for applying suture anchorsIndexing code3,369
- A61B 2017/0446Means for attaching and blocking the suture in the suture anchorIndexing code2,655
- A61B 2017/0464For soft tissueIndexing code2,295
- A61B 2017/0414Having a suture-receiving openingIndexing code2,233
- A61B 2017/0417T-fastenersIndexing code1,860
- A61B 2017/044With a threaded shaftIndexing code1,700
- A61B 2017/0404ButtonsIndexing code1,175
- A61B 2017/0427Having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor bodyIndexing code1,159
All 18 subgroupsShow fewer
- A61B 2017/0412Having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor bodyIndexing code1,086
- A61B 2017/0445CannulatedIndexing code1,032
- A61B 2017/0406PledgetsIndexing code851
- A61B 2017/0419H-fastenersIndexing code690
- A61B 2017/042Plastically deformed during insertionIndexing code518
- A61B 2017/0403DowelsIndexing code455
- A61B 2017/0438Slotted, i.e. having a longitudinal slot for enhancing their elasticityIndexing code243
- A61B 2017/0408RivetsIndexing code138
- A61B 2017/0416Packages or dispensers for suture anchors or for anchor applicatorsIndexing code122
- A61B 2017/0411Instruments for removing suture anchorsIndexing code88
Recent patents
- Device for heart repair6 Oct 2026US 12,751,709 B2Cardiomech AS
- Devices and methods for occluding or promoting fluid flow6 Oct 2026US 12,751,710 B2Vasorum Ltd.
- Variable density soft anchors and methods of tissue repairs6 Oct 2026US 12,751,711 B2Arthrex, Inc.
- Knotless micro-suture anchors and anchor arrays for anatomical attachment of soft tissue to bone6 Oct 2026US 12,751,712 B2Integrity Orthopaedics, Inc.
- Surgical devices for bone6 Oct 2026US 12,751,715 B2Expand Medical Ltd.
- Catheter devices and methods of closing openings in tissue8 Oct 2026US 2026/0306084 A1
- Dynamic abdominal wall traction system for open abdomen wounds8 Oct 2026US 2026/0306091 A1Servicio CáNtabro De Salud
- Surgical Constructs and Methods of Tissue Fixation8 Oct 2026US 2026/0306092 A1Arthrex, Inc.
- Suture anchor devices, systems, and methods8 Oct 2026US 2026/0306093 A1NovantX, LLC
- Self-Cinching Suture Construct Apparatus8 Oct 2026US 2026/0306095 A1INS Ortho, Inc.
Most cited
By later US patents
- Endoscopic surgical instrument and staples for applying purse string sutures2,477US 5,484,451 AEthicon, Inc. · 1996
- Stapler device particularly useful in medical suturing2,427US 5,520,700 ATechnion Research & Development Foundation Limited · 1996
- Surgical instrument and staples for applying purse string sutures2,405US 5,242,457 AEthicon, Inc. · 1993
- Endoscopic surgical instrument and staples for applying purse string sutures2,167US 5,573,543 AEthicon, Inc. · 1996
- Systems for securing sutures, grafts and soft tissue to bone and periosteum2,057US 6,200,330 B12001