Apparatus and methods for attaching soft tissue to bone

#None.

#The embodiments disclosed herein relate to medical apparatuses for attaching soft tissue to bone, and more particularly to suture anchors and methods for attaching soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles, to bone.

#The detachment of soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles, from their associated bones within the body are relatively common injuries. A number of devices and methods have been developed to re-attach soft tissue to bone including, screws, wedges, plugs, nails, pins, staples, cement, and sutures. In certain detachments, it is desirable to anchor one end of a length of suture inside a bone while the other end of the length of suture extends outside of the bone. The free end of the suture may then be used to re-attach the soft tissue to the bone.

#The presently disclosed embodiments will be further explained with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments.

#FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show perspective views of a suture anchor of the presently disclosed embodiments. FIG. 1A shows a balloon portion of the suture anchor in a deflated state. FIG. 1B shows a balloon portion of the suture anchor in an inflated state.

#FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D show perspective views of some of the main components of a suture anchor of the presently disclosed embodiments. FIG. 1C shows an oblong base and suture material of the suture anchor. FIG. 1D shows a catheter and oblong base of the suture anchor.

#While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosed embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments.

#Suture anchors and methods of using suture anchors for attaching soft tissue to bone are disclosed herein. The suture anchors disclosed herein have an expandable member. When in use, the suture anchor is placed in an access hole in a bone in a deflated state. The access hole may be just slightly larger than the diameter of the expandable member. Once in place, the expandable member is inflated and hardened such that the diameter of the expandable member is larger than the access hole. This results in a suture anchor with a high pull-out strength.

#The main components of a suture anchor 100 are shown generally in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The suture anchor 100 includes an oblong shaped base 110 having a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 114. A catheter 130 having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween runs through the base 110 through an oblong shaped center hole 120. The oblong shape of the center hole 120 allows for the base 110 to lay as flat as possible relative to the catheter 130. In an embodiment, the center hole 120 is radiused to reduce any stressors or sharp edges that may be present on the hole 120. The radiusing of the center hole 120 also results in an insertion side or a proper insertion direction to the base 110. The base 110 is free-floating around the catheter 130, thus allowing the base 110 to rotate relative to the catheter 130. In an embodiment, the base 110 is held on to the catheter 130 by a crimp in the catheter 130 diameter. In an embodiment, the base 110 is held on to the catheter 130 by an over sleeve that is larger than the hole 120 in the base 110, therefore precluding the base 110 from falling off of the catheter 130. The catheter 130 has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a light cure adhesive to pass through. The distal end of the catheter 130 has a balloon portion 136 that inflates and deflates. The balloon portion 136 has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a light cure adhesive to pass through. A separation area 109 is located at the junction between the balloon portion 136 and the catheter 130. A distal end 137 of the catheter 130 protrudes from the bottom surface 114 of the base 110. In an embodiment, the catheter 130 is formed of a pliable, resilient, conformable, and strong material, including but not limited to urethane, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon elastomer and other similar polymers. The balloon portion 136 engages the catheter 130 and is capable of expanding or inflating with the delivery of a light cure adhesive. In an embodiment, the light cure adhesive is a UV activated glue. The balloon portion 136, when expanded, may take on the following shapes: round, cylindrical, oval, rectangular or another shape. As shown in FIG. 1B, the balloon portion 136 is in the shape of an oval. The base 110 includes at least two eyelets 140, preferably four eyelets 140, for passage of a suture material 150. The suture material 150 may comprise pre-attached suture needles at a distal end 154 of the suture material 150 (the suture needles are not shown in the drawings).