Soft tissue anchor
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsKevin F. Bonner, Kangqiao Li, Jennifer Ng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include an anchoring system (1) and method of inserting an anchor (100). Suture (305) and graft (550) may be implanted with anchors (100) of some embodiments. Some anchor embodiments may include at least one side that is cut away (115) to provide a protected space, such as central portion (116), for suture (305) and graft (550) and may provide a connection mechanism, such as a connector hole (107), that may be pushed or pulled by an inserter (200) of the anchoring system (1).
Claims21
An anchoring system comprising:
- an anchor comprising:
- an anchor body with a distal end and a proximal end and sides between the distal end and the proximal end.
- a cutout in a first side of the anchor body such that an interior, central portion of the anchor body near the distal end is accessible from the proximal end along a straight line between the proximal end and the distal end. one or more anti-backout features along one or more of the sides of the anchor body configured to resist proximal movement of the anchor when the anchor has been inserted in a hole with a diameter equal to or less than a maximum diameter of the anchor, and a first inserter connection mechanism;
- and an inserter comprising:
- a handle, and a shaft movably coupled to the handle.
- wherein the shaft includes a second inserter connection mechanism configured to engage with the first inserter connection mechanism of the anchor, and wherein the shaft includes a stop along a portion of the shaft's length that is engageable with the handle to restrict movement between the shaft and the handle to enable the handle to be moved proximally with the shaft upon engagement of the stop with the handle when the shaft is being moved proximally.
The anchoring system of claim I wherein the second inserter connection mechanism is configured to releasably couple with the first connection mechanism.
An anchor comprising:
- an anchor body with a distal end and a proximal end and sides between the distal end and the proximal end;
- a cutout in a first side of the anchor body such that an interior, central portion of the anchor body near the distal end is accessible from the proximal end along a straight line between the proximal end and the distal end;
- one or more anti-backout features along one or more of the sides of the anchor body configured to resist proximal movement of the anchor when the anchor has been inserted in a hole with a diameter equal to or less than a maximum diameter of the anchor;
- and
- a first inserter connection mechanism at the interior, central portion of the anchor body;
- wherein the first inserter connection mechanism is configured to provide a connection by which the anchor may be pulled proximally.
A method of inserting an anchor into a bone comprising:
- coupling a shaft portion of an inserter that passes through a handle of the inserter into the anchor by placing a second connection mechanism on the shaft of the inserter into a first connection mechanism of the anchor;
- inserting the anchor into the bone by moving the inserter handle distally toward the bone;
- decoupling the second connection mechanism of the inserter from the first connection mechanism of the anchor;
- moving the shaft of the inserter proximally aw ay from the anchor to engage a stop along a portion of the shaft with the handle;
- and continuing to move the shaft of the inserter proximally away from the anchor to move the handle aw ay from the anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.