Cartridge device for suture anchor and suture management during implantation of a micro suture anchor array

Inventors

Zenz-Olson, Zak • Tran, Nathaniel Van • Westling, Thomas A. • Labbé, Marc • Harris, Howard W. • Crompton, David M.

Assignees

Integrity Orthopaedics Inc

Abstract

Cartridges configured to hold anchors and associated locking sutures and a common suture used in an array of anchors. A suture anchor array is connected in series by a single working suture and each of the suture anchors allows tensioning of the working suture between itself and the prior anchor implanted in the serial string. Further, each anchor includes a suture lock having a free tail that can be pulled to lock the working suture in place subsequent to tensioning. This creates an independently tensioned suture bridge between each implanted suture anchor and the just previously implanted anchor. The cartridges are configured to securely hold an individual anchor and store the tail of the suture lock, while allowing flossing of anchors along the common suture.

Core Innovation

The invention describes an anchor array system for managing and delivering a plurality of toggle type anchors serially connected by a common working suture for affixing soft tissue to bone. A plurality of toggle bodies are provided, each toggle body having an elongate body with a proximal passage and a distal passage extending from a top surface to a bottom surface, with the proximal passage and distal passage located at spaced intervals along the respective elongate body. A plurality of cartridges is provided, including one cartridge for each toggle body, each cartridge having a housing with an open volume therein for holding one of the toggle bodies and a raised boss positioned below the open volume.

The common working suture serially connects the plurality of toggle bodies as releasably disposed in each cartridge. Each cartridge holds a toggle body with the working suture threaded through the proximal passage at the top surface and out at the bottom surface, around the boss, and then back up through the distal passage at the bottom surface to exit the cartridge. This routing enables the cartridge and toggle to floss along the working suture, with the cartridge directing the working suture around the raised boss after exiting the proximal passage and directing it toward the distal passage after passing around the raised boss.

The invention further provides a magazine assembly for managing an array of interconnected toggle-type suture anchors, including a plurality of individual cartridges and a magazine having a platform for releasably securing each cartridge in sequential order for serial implantation. The working suture interconnects the array, and each toggle-type suture anchor has first and second passages through which the working suture passes. Each toggle-type suture anchor is held within a respective cartridge such that the working suture exits the first passage, extends around the boss, and then enters the second passage.

Claims Coverage

The partial claims set includes two independent claims covering serial management of toggle type anchors using cartridges and a magazine, with a common working suture routed through first/proximal and second/distal passages around a raised boss.

Across the independent claims, the core coverage is the serial management of toggle-type suture anchors using cartridge-held toggle bodies routed by a common working suture through first/proximal and second/distal passages with extension around a raised boss, supported by a magazine that secures the cartridges in sequential order for serial implantation.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications