US 2018/0008255 A1 · INTRA JOINT STABILIZATION CONSTRUCT

Abstract

The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to intra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and suture locking anchors that feature elongated sleeves configured to protect the associated bone tunnels from suture wipering, which results in abrasion and enlargement of the bone tunnel and leads to migration of the suture anchors. Embodiments also include suture locking anchors that lock via an interference fit between the suture strand and a receiver of the anchor and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each feature a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the suture strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the suture strand. Further embodiments include intra joint reinforcement and stabilization constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An anchor for use in forming a flexible synthetic strand construct within a bone tunnel bored through a first bone portion, the bone tunnel having a first end adjacent to a first surface of the first bone portion and a second end near a second surface of the first bone portion, the anchor comprising:

a head having a proximal side and a distal side, the distal side configured to abut the first surface of first the bone portion about the first end of the bone tunnel;
a longitudinal shank protruding distally from the head from a proximal end attached to the head to a distal end, the longitudinal shank defining a longitudinal axis and configured for insertion into the bone tunnel from the first end of the bone tunnel toward the second end of the bone tunnel, wherein:
an axial hole extends into the anchor along the longitudinal axis;
a length of the shank approximates a length of the bone tunnel;
and
when, in passing from or to a separate strand fixation, a flexible synthetic strand enters or exits the axial hole at the distal end of the shank, the shank provides a bone tunnel protection sleeve that prevents transverse movement of the flexible synthetic strand relative to the second end of the bone tunnel, thereby preventing bone abrasion within the bone tunnel.

3 more elements

A knotless locking system for locking a flexible synthetic strand relative to a bone tunnel bored through a first bone portion, the bone tunnel having a first end adjacent to a first surface of the first bone portion and a second end near a second surface of the first bone portion, the locking system comprising a locking anchor and a set screw,

the locking anchor including:
a head;
a longitudinal shank protruding distally from the head, the shank having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an axial hole extending therethrough, the shank defining a longitudinal axis and configured for insertion into the bone tunnel from the first end of the bone tunnel toward the second end of the bone tunnel;
and
a receiver formed in the proximal portion of the shank, the receiver having internal threads extending over a proximal portion oriented at a proximal taper angle, a mid portion oriented at a mid taper angle, and a distal portion oriented at a distal taper angle;
and
the set screw including:
external threads extending over a proximal portion oriented at an opposing proximal taper angle, a mid portion oriented at an opposing mid taper angle, and a distal portion oriented at an opposing distal taper angle, wherein:
the proximal, the mid, and the distal taper angles of the receiver and the opposing proximal, the opposing mid, and the opposing distal taper angles of the set screw are configured such that when the set screw is rotationally inserted into the receiver, the set screw and the receiver provide a gradual increase in a proximal compression force applied to a length of the flexible synthetic strand extending between the proximal and the mid portions of the receiver and the set screw and a gradual decrease in a distal compression force applied to a length of the flexible synthetic strand extending between the mid and the distal portions of the receiver and the set screw.

6 more elements

An internal construct for stabilizing a joint between a first bone portion having a first bone tunnel that defines a longitudinal axis and a second bone portion having a second bone tunnel centered about the longitudinal axis, the internal construct comprising:

a flexible synthetic strand having first and second opposing ends tensioned between a first fixation within the first bone tunnel and a second fixation within the second bone tunnel, the first fixation comprising a locking anchor and a threaded set screw, the locking anchor including:
a head having a proximal side and a distal side, the distal side abutting a first surface of the first bone portion about a first end of the first bone tunnel;
and
a longitudinal shank protruding distally from the head, the shank having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an axial hole extending therethrough, the shank inserted into the first bone tunnel from the first end of the first bone tunnel toward a second end of the first bone tunnel adjacent to the joint, the shank having a length that approximates a length of the first bone tunnel such that when the shank is inserted into the first bone tunnel, the distal portion of the shank extends to the second end of the first bone tunnel adjacent to the second surface of the first bone portion such that the shank provides a bone tunnel protection sleeve.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intra joint stabilization construct

Life of this patent

Intra joint stabilization construct

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31