Self-assembling suture anchor assembly, surgical kit, and surgical repair method

#The present disclosure relates generally to surgical procedures, and more particularly to suture anchor assemblies, surgical kits, and surgical repair methods.

#The complete or partial detachment of ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues from their associated bones within the body occurs relatively frequently. For example, the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles that wrap around the shoulder joint to attach the upper arm to the shoulder blade, in part allows the shoulder to move and turn through a wider range than any other joint in the body. Unfortunately, tears of the rotator cuff are common, making many routine activities difficult and painful. Similarly, cruciate ligaments of the knee, e.g., the anterior cruciate ligament, are often completely detached or partially detached from the femur or other associated bone. These types of injuries generally result from excessive stresses being applied to the soft tissues. For example, a tissue detaching injury may occur as the result of a fall, overexertion during a work-related activity, during the course of an athletic event, and/or in association with other situations or physical activities.

#A number of surgical techniques exist for reattaching detached tissues and/or completely replacing severely damaged tissues. One such technique involves reattachment of detached tissue using traditional attachment devices such as metal staples, sutures over buttons, cancellous bone screws, and/or other anchor devices. These types of traditional attachment techniques and devices may also be used to attach tendon or ligament substitutes to the desired bone or bones. Traditional anchors often rely on the quality of the cortical or cancellous bone in order to obtain sufficient purchase. However, traditional anchors rely on strong and healthy cortical and cancellous bone to achieve sufficient purchase. As a result of certain diseases or as the age of a patient increases, bone mineral density often decreases and can compromise bone strength. This can provide a challenge when using traditional anchors in such bones.

#This invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suture anchor assembly in a deployed configuration;

#FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suture arm and a suture anchor element;

#Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

#Further, in the present disclosure, like-numbered components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-numbered component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape. Sizes and shapes of the systems and devices, and the components thereof, can depend at least on the anatomy of the subject in which the systems and devices will be used, the size and shape of components with which the systems and devices will be used, and the methods and procedures in which the systems and devices will be used.

#Described herein are suture anchor assemblies, surgical kits, and methods of deploying suture anchor assemblies. In general, suture anchor assemblies described herein include a main suture strand, a plurality of suture arms, and a plurality of suture anchor elements that are configured to rest against a cortex of a bone to provide an anchor when they are in a deployed configuration. The suture anchor assemblies described herein can be employed in place of or in addition to traditional suture anchors, such as buttons, pins, or screws. The assemblies, kits, and methods described herein can be utilized in a variety of procedures and locations in the body where anchoring a graft or tissue adjacent a bone is desired. Numerous procedures in which the suture anchor assemblies described herein can find applicability are well known. Non-limiting exemplary procedures include securing a cruciate ligament (e.g., the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL) graft within a bone tunnel in a patient's femur and rotator cuff repair.