EP0241240A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture anchor apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-04-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A suture anchor system that includes a drill for turning into a bone mass with sissoring blades pivotally connected in a longitudinal drill shaft slot proximate to a cutting end thereof, the blade ends to sissor to extend cutting edges outwardly therefrom, which sissoring occurs at a certain depth of penetration into the bone mass, cutting a flared or skirted hole therein, to receive a suture anchor whereto a suture is secured. The suture anchor consists of a suture rivet and slotted ring and is formed by moving the suture rivet into the slotted ring, that ring breaking at spaced apart slots formed therein and flaring into a skirt, the anchor rivet and slotted ring thereby locked together as the suture anchor, which suture anchor has approximately the same shape but a slightly lessor diameter than the hole formed in the bone mass. The suture rivet and slotted ring are mounted on an applicator for fitting into the bone mass hole, the applicator consisting of a grip and trigger pivotally coupled thereto, such that, with trigger movement towards that grip a plunger attached thereto will be moved also, which plunger is releasably secured to a head of a mandrel that is telescoped through an ejector that is for releasable mounting in the applicator, which mandrel slides in the ejector and connects on its distal end to the suture rivet. Plunger travel therefore, responsive to trigger depression, moves the mandrel to pull the suture anchor into the slotted ring and the mandrel thereafter separates from the suture anchor allowing the applicator to be removed from the seated suture anchor and expose the suture attached thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Marlowe Goble
- 👤 Larry Dehart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61F2/0811; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B17/16; A61B17/1613; A61B17/1615; A61B17/1617; A61B17/17; A61B17/1714; A61B2017/0408; A61B2017/0409; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/037; A61F2/0805; A61F2002/0876; A61F2002/0888; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5147; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53709; Y10T29/53717; Y10T29/53726; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/83; Y10T408/85; Y10T408/858; Y10T408/8588; Y10T408/85884
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
372 words
A suture anchor apparatus comprising a drill for forming a hole in a bone mass that has an internal diameter that is greater than the diameter of the hole entry, which drill includes a straight shaft for fitting at one end into a turning means and has a fluted cutting end distal therefrom, the shaft adjacent the distal end including a longitudinal slot formed therethrough wherein a pair of scissor blades are pivotally connected at mid points of each, which blades are identical and face oppositely to scissor apart and include cutting edges formed in the blade ends near the shaft fluted end and a ramp means formed proximate to each blade end distal therefrom, the blade ramps to extend oppositely beyond the shaft when said blade cutting edges are closed within said shaft slot, which said blade cutting edges are extended oppositely outwardly to form a skirt to the drill shaft fluted end when said blade ramps are closed together into said slot; sleeve means telescoped over said drill shaft to move back and forth over said drill shaft longitudinal slot portion containing said blade ramps; means for moving said sleeve means over said blade ramps; and means for biasing said sleeve means out of engagement with said blade ramps to cause said blades to scissor together to where said blade cutting edges are recessed into said drill shaft slot; and a suture anchor applicator for fitting and expanding a suture anchor whereto a suture is connected into a hole formed by operation of said drill, which suture anchor includes an anchor rivet whereto said suture is attached and a slotted ring arranged to receive said anchor rivet moved therein so as to fracture that ring along slots formed therein, flaring the ring outwardly into a skirt, the anchor rivet locking thereto forming the suture anchor; means for maintaining said anchor rivet and slotted ring in said hole while said anchor rivet is drawn into said slotted ring; and means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring to where said anchor rivet and slotted ring couple together into said suture anchor, which drawing means is then separated from said suture anchor exposing said suture secured to that suture anchor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
372 words
A suture anchor apparatus comprising a drill for forming a hole in a bone mass that has an internal diameter that is greater than the diameter of the hole entry, which drill includes a straight shaft for fitting at one end into a turning means and has a fluted cutting end distal therefrom, the shaft adjacent the distal end including a longitudinal slot formed therethrough wherein a pair of scissor blades are pivotally connected at mid points of each, which blades are identical and face oppositely to scissor apart and include cutting edges formed in the blade ends near the shaft fluted end and a ramp means formed proximate to each blade end distal therefrom, the blade ramps to extend oppositely beyond the shaft when said blade cutting edges are closed within said shaft slot, which said blade cutting edges are extended oppositely outwardly to form a skirt to the drill shaft fluted end when said blade ramps are closed together into said slot; sleeve means telescoped over said drill shaft to move back and forth over said drill shaft longitudinal slot portion containing said blade ramps; means for moving said sleeve means over said blade ramps; and means for biasing said sleeve means out of engagement with said blade ramps to cause said blades to scissor together to where said blade cutting edges are recessed into said drill shaft slot; and a suture anchor applicator for fitting and expanding a suture anchor whereto a suture is connected into a hole formed by operation of said drill, which suture anchor includes an anchor rivet whereto said suture is attached and a slotted ring arranged to receive said anchor rivet moved therein so as to fracture that ring along slots formed therein, flaring the ring outwardly into a skirt, the anchor rivet locking thereto forming the suture anchor; means for maintaining said anchor rivet and slotted ring in said hole while said anchor rivet is drawn into said slotted ring; and means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring to where said anchor rivet and slotted ring couple together into said suture anchor, which drawing means is then separated from said suture anchor exposing said suture secured to that suture anchor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
208 words
A drill apparatus for forming a sub-surface flared hole comprising a straight shaft for fitting at one end into a turning means and having a fluted cutting end distal therefrom, the shaft adjacent the distal end including a longitudinal slot formed therethrough wherein a pair of scissor blades are pivotally connected at mid points of each, which blades are identical and face oppositely to scissor apart and include cutting edges formed in the blade ends near the shaft fluted end and a ramp means formed proximate to each blade end distal therefrom, the blade ramps to extend oppositely beyond the shaft when said blade cutting edges are closed within said shaft slot, which said blade cutting edges are extended oppositely outwardly to form a skirt to the drill shaft fluted end when said blade ramps are closed together into said slot; sleeve means telescoped over said drill shaft to move back and forth over said drill shaft longitudinal slot portion containing said blade ramps; means for moving said sleeve means over said blade ramps, and means for biasing said sleeve means out of engagement with said blade ramps to cause said blades to scissor together to where said blade cutting edges are recessed into said drill shaft slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
208 words
A drill apparatus for forming a sub-surface flared hole comprising a straight shaft for fitting at one end into a turning means and having a fluted cutting end distal therefrom, the shaft adjacent the distal end including a longitudinal slot formed therethrough wherein a pair of scissor blades are pivotally connected at mid points of each, which blades are identical and face oppositely to scissor apart and include cutting edges formed in the blade ends near the shaft fluted end and a ramp means formed proximate to each blade end distal therefrom, the blade ramps to extend oppositely beyond the shaft when said blade cutting edges are closed within said shaft slot, which said blade cutting edges are extended oppositely outwardly to form a skirt to the drill shaft fluted end when said blade ramps are closed together into said slot; sleeve means telescoped over said drill shaft to move back and forth over said drill shaft longitudinal slot portion containing said blade ramps; means for moving said sleeve means over said blade ramps, and means for biasing said sleeve means out of engagement with said blade ramps to cause said blades to scissor together to where said blade cutting edges are recessed into said drill shaft slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the scissor blades include stops on the distal ends from the cutting edges, the stops to extend outwardly and include right angle faces to the drill shaft to block travel of the sleeve means after the ramps are moved together within the drill shaft longitudinal slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including slots formed in the sleeve means, each slot to align with and receive and pass therethrough, respectively, each scissor blade ramp and stop, each slot end closest to the drill shaft fluted end to travel up a said blade ramp, the slot end urging the ramps together, thereby extending said blade stops until the right angle faces of said stops butt against to block further travel of said sleeve means away from said drill shaft fluted end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for moving said sleeve means over said blade ramps includes a guide means for receiving the drill shaft fluted end therethrough to engage, as said drill end is passed therethrough and to urge said sleeve means along and over the blade ramps as the drill shaft extends beyond said guide means, which guide means consists of a fixed section for stationary engagement with a point of a bone mass and turning section that includes a means for engaging and turning with said sleeve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide means fixed section includes an open sleeve that has a serrated edge around one end thereof for engaging a bone mass surface and connects to a handle means for holding by a surgeon operator to position the sleeve serrated edge on said bone mass, and the turning section is an open sleeve that is bearing coupled to said fixed sleeve and includes a step therein of a diameter to pass the drill shaft fluted end therethrough but will engage the end of said sleeve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for biasing said sleeve means out of engagement with said blade ramps is a coil spring arranged in a housing that is fixed to the drill shaft telescoped therethrough, which housing is arranged to receive the sleeve means in sliding engagement telescoped therein, said sleeve means to telescope therein when urged over said blade ramps against the biasing of said coil spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
A suture anchor applicator apparatus for fitting and expanding an anchor means whereto a suture is connected into a hole formed in a bone mass to have a greater sub-surface diameter than the hole diameter at the bone mass surface, comprising a suture anchor that includes an anchor rivet whereto said suture is attached and a slotted ring arranged to receive said anchor rivet moved therein so as to fracture that ring along slots formed therein that extend longitudinally from a leading edge, flaring the ring outwardly into a skirt; means for locking said anchor rivet on said slotted ring forming a suture anchor; means for maintaining said anchor rivet and slotted ring in the hole while said anchor rivet is drawn into said slotted ring; and means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring to where said anchor rivet and slotted ring will couple together into said suture anchor, which drawing means is then separated from said suture anchor exposing said suture secured to that suture anchor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
A suture anchor applicator apparatus for fitting and expanding an anchor means whereto a suture is connected into a hole formed in a bone mass to have a greater sub-surface diameter than the hole diameter at the bone mass surface, comprising a suture anchor that includes an anchor rivet whereto said suture is attached and a slotted ring arranged to receive said anchor rivet moved therein so as to fracture that ring along slots formed therein that extend longitudinally from a leading edge, flaring the ring outwardly into a skirt; means for locking said anchor rivet on said slotted ring forming a suture anchor; means for maintaining said anchor rivet and slotted ring in the hole while said anchor rivet is drawn into said slotted ring; and means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring to where said anchor rivet and slotted ring will couple together into said suture anchor, which drawing means is then separated from said suture anchor exposing said suture secured to that suture anchor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applicator incorporates a grip means for holding by a surgeon operator that includes a trigger means pivotally connected thereto for operation by that surgeon operator to move a plunger portion towards the surgeon operator holding said grip means; the means for maintaining the anchor rivet and slotted ring in the hole is a barrel that is releasably connected to said grip means and is open longitudinally to accommodate an ejector telescoped therethrough that includes a mandrel means telescoped therethrough for mounting said anchor rivet and slotted ring on an end thereof; and means for coupling said mandrel means to said plunger portion, said plunger portion providing the means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the grip means includes the plunger portion fitted therethrough that is telescoped through a spring means in said grip means for biasing that plunger portion towards the barrel away from the surgeon operator; and the trigger pivotal connection to said grip means is such that, when said trigger is depressed towards said grip means, said plunger portion connected thereto will be moved against said spring biasing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the means for coupling the mandrel means to said plunger portion includes a head formed across the mandrel means end distal from the anchor rivet for releasably fitting into a yoke means secured to the plunger portion end opposite to its coupling to the trigger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the means for releasably coupling said grip means and barrel includes a plunger sleeve that is secured to said grip means and is open longitudinally to receive the plunger portion telescoped therethrough; a plunger housing for telescoping over and releasable coupling to said plunger sleeve; a spring housing as part of the barrel that contains a coil spring open longitudinally therethrough, which opening is aligned with said barrel longitudinal opening, said spring housing to receive said plunger housing end telescoped therein against the biasing of said coil spring; and means for releasably securing said plunger housing in telescoped connection over said plunger sleeve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
135 words
A suture anchor apparatus comprising an anchor rivet whereto said suture is attached and a slotted ring arranged to receive said anchor rivet moved therein so as to fracture that ring along slots formed therein, flaring the ring outwardly into a skirt, means for locking the anchor rivet in said slotted ring forming the suture anchor; means for maintaining said anchor rivet and slotted ring in a hole in a bone mass prepared to receive the suture anchor in tight fitting engagement while said anchor rivet is drawn into said slotted ring; and means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring to where said anchor rivet and slotted ring couple together into said suture anchor, which drawing means is then separated from said suture anchor exposing said suture secured to that suture anchor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
135 words
A suture anchor apparatus comprising an anchor rivet whereto said suture is attached and a slotted ring arranged to receive said anchor rivet moved therein so as to fracture that ring along slots formed therein, flaring the ring outwardly into a skirt, means for locking the anchor rivet in said slotted ring forming the suture anchor; means for maintaining said anchor rivet and slotted ring in a hole in a bone mass prepared to receive the suture anchor in tight fitting engagement while said anchor rivet is drawn into said slotted ring; and means for drawing said anchor rivet into said slotted ring to where said anchor rivet and slotted ring couple together into said suture anchor, which drawing means is then separated from said suture anchor exposing said suture secured to that suture anchor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the anchor rivet and slotted ring are mounted to an ejector that consists of an ejector sleeve that has a collar formed on one end thereof open longitudinally to receive the mandrel means fitted in sliding engagement therethrough.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ejector sleeve has approximately the same diameter as does the slotted ring; and the mandrel means end opposite to the head end is fitted through said slotted ring and is releasably connected to said anchor rivet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slotted ring is sloped outwardly on one end from its inner surface to its outer surface forming a sharp edge at its outer diameter and includes a medial groove formed around the ring inner surface; and the anchor rivet has a tapered nose end to travel along said slotted ring sloped end to break the ring at the slots, outwardly flaring that slotted ring end, the anchor tapered end terminating in a ridge, which ridge will fit in locking engagement into said slotted ring medial groove.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further including a groove formed around the anchor rivet surface, adjacent to the ridge, to receive, in locking engagement, a slotted ring lip end located between the groove and the slotted ring end at the junction with the outward sloping surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, further including a longitudinal hole formed through the anchor rivet to receive a suture threaded therethrough; and a longitudinal opening through the mandrel means to receive said suture therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, further including a lateral hole formed through the anchor rivet that intersects the longitudinal hole at approximately a right angle, the suture to be threaded into the longitudinal hole at the tapered nose and out one end of the lateral hole, then across the anchor rivet head end and back through the other end, of the lateral passage into the longitudinal passage and out the anchor rivet nose end, providing a two strand suture that is fitted through the mandrel means longitudinal passage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the anchor rivet and slotted ring are formed out of bio-degradable material to be absorbed by the body along with the suture after the body healing process is completed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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