US 11,484,301 B2Granted

Suture-locking washer for use with a bone anchor, and method for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty, and other novel orthopedic apparatus and other novel orthopedic procedures

AssigneeSimparo Inc.

InventorsSidney Fleischman, James Whayne, Izi Bruker, Jeanne L. DelSignore, Kevin L. Ohashi, James Christopher Harber

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Abstract

The invention provides surgical methods, devices, apparatus, and systems for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty. The embodiments of the invention comprise at least one index metacarpal anchor, at least one thumb metacarpal anchor, at least one sling for positioning the thumb metacarpal anchor relative to the index metacarpal anchor, and at least one anchor washer for tightening and securing the sling(s) without the need to tie the suture(s) components of the sling(s) into knots. Index and thumb metacarpal anchors comprise at least one bone-engaging element for engaging the respective metacarpal. The anchor washer may incorporate one or more sling-engagement mechanisms. Increasing the number of sling-engagement mechanisms associated with the anchor washer increases the surface area of the sling(s) and provides multiple sling elements to provide redundancy and increase the pull force of the sling(s) attachment(s) used to affix the thumb and index metacarpal anchors into a position relative to each other.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Apparatus for securing a first anatomical object to a second anatomical object, said apparatus comprising:

a fastener configured to be secured to the second anatomical object, said fastener comprising:
an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said elongated shaft being configured to be secured to the second anatomical object;
and
an enlarged head having a distal surface and a proximal surface;
said enlarged head being secured to said elongated shaft;
a suture-locking washer for seating on said fastener, said suture-locking washer being formed separately from said fastener and comprising:
a washer body having a distal surface and a proximal surface;
a first opening extending from said distal surface to said proximal surface, said first opening being configured to accommodate said shaft of said fastener so that said shaft of said fastener can be passed through said first opening in said washer body and said distal surface of said enlarged head of said fastener can engage said proximal surface of said washer body;
and
a second opening extending completely through said washer body;
and
a tubular structure formed separately from said washer body and disposed in said second opening in said washer body, said tubular structure comprising a side wall having a first end and a second end and a passageway extending therebetween, said passageway being sized to slidingly accommodate a filament therein, a portion of said side wall of said tubular structure projecting into said passageway so as to form a barb having a pointed end, wherein said barb is configured to:
(i) permit movement of said filament longitudinally along said passageway in a first direction when said filament is urged in said first direction, and (ii) prohibit movement of said filament in said passageway when said filament is urged in a second direction that is opposite to said first direction by piercing said filament with said pointed end of said barb.

10 more elements

A method for securing a first anatomical object to a second anatomical object, said method comprising:

providing apparatus for securing the first anatomical object to the second anatomical object, said apparatus comprising:
a fastener configured to be secured to the second anatomical object, said fastener comprising:
an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said elongated shaft being configured to be secured to the second anatomical object;
and
an enlarged head having a distal surface and a proximal surface;
said enlarged head being secured to said elongated shaft;
a suture-locking washer for seating on said fastener, said suture-locking washer being formed separately from said fastener and comprising:
a washer body having a distal surface and a proximal surface;
a first an opening extending from said distal surface to said proximal surface, said first opening being configured to accommodate said shaft of said fastener so that said shaft of said fastener can be passed through said first opening in said washer body and said distal surface of said enlarged head of said fastener can engage said proximal surface of said washer body;
and
a second opening extending completely through said washer body;
and
a tubular structure formed separately from said washer body and disposed in said second opening in said washer body, said tubular structure comprising a side wall having a first end and a second end and a passageway extending therebetween, said passageway being sized to slidingly accommodate a filament therein, a portion of said side wall of said tubular structure projecting into said passageway so as to form a barb having a pointed end, wherein said barb is configured to:
(i) permit movement of said filament longitudinally along said passageway in a first direction when said filament is urged in said first direction, and (ii) prohibit movement of said filament in said passageway when said filament is urged in a second direction that is opposite to said first direction by piercing said filament with said pointed end of said barb;
passing said filament through said passageway in said first direction;
associating one end of said filament with the second anatomical object and associating said fastener with the first anatomical object;
and
moving said filament in said first direction through said passageway so as to shorten the length of said filament extending between the first anatomical object and the second anatomical object so as to fixedly connect the first anatomical object to the second anatomical object.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/999,085Filed 16 Aug 2018 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 Jan 2014
Published: US 2019/0117210 A125 Apr 2019
Granted: 1 Nov 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification26 codes

A61B 17/0401
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to…
A61B 17/0487
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots;…
A61B 17/8695
Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor: washers
A61F 2/0811
Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments: fixation devices for tendons or ligaments

Family

Application61/927,309Us provisional application · filed 14 Jan 2014
Application14/596,973Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Jan 2015
Application62/546,187Us provisional application · filed 16 Aug 2017
US 2019/0117210 A1Pre-grant publication · published 25 Apr 2019
US 10,278,692 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2015/0127047 A1Published application
US 11,484,301 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.