US 5,578,057 A · Anchoring device installation tool assembly and method

Abstract

An installation tool for deploying an anchoring device in a preformed hole in a workpiece is provided. The anchoring device is attached to a portion of a length of cord-like material carrying a needle-like member about at least one of its free ends. A retention device defining a continuous groove around an axle; a retention groove defined by circumferentially spaced arcuate projections from at least one of its end surfaces; and a notch forming a pathway connecting the continuous groove with the retention groove also is provided. The needle-like member and the free end of the cord-like material are releasably located in the retention groove, the cord-like material is passed through the notch, and the cord-like material extending from the fastening device is wrapped around the axle. The retention device is also releasably attachable to the handle of the installation tool. In use, the free end(s) of the cord-like material and the needle-like member(s) are held by the retention device mounted on the handle of the installation tool during the insertion of the anchoring device. Thereafter, the retention device may be detached from the handle, and kept in the vicinity of the hole until the free end(s) of the cord-like material and the needle-like member(s) are required for use in attaching an object to the workpiece. In the preferred embodiments, the fastening device is a suture anchor, the workpiece is bone, the cord-like material is suture, and the needle-like members are curved surgical needles.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A system for attaching an object to a workpiece comprising:

an anchoring device and an installation tool for deploying said anchoring device within a preformed hole in said workpiece;
said anchoring device having a portion of a length of cord-like material attached thereto, said cord-like material having at least one free end;
said installation tool comprising:
positioning means for locating said anchoring device at a predetermined depth within said hole, said positioning means including a handle;
retention means for releasably holding a portion of said length of cord-like material extending from said anchoring device and also releasably holding said free end of said cord-like material, said retention means being releasably attachable to said handle of said positioning means;
and
said cord-like material having a curved needle-like member attached to another one of its free ends, and wherein said retention means includes means for releasably holding said needle-like member.

4 more elements

A method for attaching an object to a workpiece having a preformed hole therein comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an assembly comprising:
(i) an anchoring device adapted for fixed location within said hole;
(ii) a length of cord-like material, said length of cord-like material having at least one free end and a portion attached to said anchoring device;
(iii) at least one needle-like member, said at least one needle-like member being attached to said at least one free end of said length of cord-like material;
and
(iv) an installation tool for deploying said anchoring device within said hole, said installation tool comprising positioning means and retention means wherein:
said positioning means includes a handle, releasably engages said anchoring device and is adapted for locating said anchoring device at a predetermined depth within said hole;
and
said retention means is releasably attached to said handle and releasably holds said at least one needle-like member and at least the portion of said length of cord-like material adjacent to said at least one free end;
(b) manipulating said installation tool so as to locate said anchoring device at a preselected depth within said hole with said positioning means;
(c) manipulating said installation tool so as to disassociate said positioning means from said workpiece and to disengage said portion of said length of cord-like material adjacent to said at least one free end from said retention means;
(d) detaching said retention means from said handle;
(e) disengaging said at least one free end of said length of cord-like material and said at least one needle-like member from said retention means;
and
(f) manipulating said at least one free end of said length of cord-like material and said at least one needle-like member so as to attach said object to said workpiece.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Anchoring device installation tool assembly and method

Life of this patent

Anchoring device installation tool assembly and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16