Modified trabecular metal suture anchor implant
Inventors
Walsh, Joseph R. • Krummenacher, Tyler
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12279943-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
An anchor device for attaching suture material to bone includes a body portion having a first end and a second end. The body portion includes a trabecular mesh core that at least partially defines a central bore between the first end and the second end. The trabecular mesh core includes a plurality of openings configured to receive/allow/facilitate bone growth through the trabecular mesh core. The body portion also includes at least one thread extending spirally along an exterior of the trabecular mesh core. The anchor device further includes a post at least partially positioned within the central bore and rotatably coupled to the body portion, wherein the post comprises a fork extending from the second end of the body portion and configured to attach soft tissue to the bone using the suture material. The body portion and the post are additively manufactured from a biocompatible material.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an anchor device for attaching suture material to bone. The anchor device includes a body portion with a trabecular mesh core that at least partially defines a central bore between a first end and a second end, and a solid inner wall extending from the first end and at least partially defining the central bore. The trabecular mesh core circumscribes the solid inner wall and includes a plurality of openings configured to facilitate bone growth through the trabecular mesh core.
At least one thread extends spirally along an exterior of the trabecular mesh core between the first end and the second end. The body portion also includes a rotatably coupled post at least partially positioned within the central bore, and the post includes a fork extending from the second end and configured to attach soft tissue to the bone using the suture material.
The body portion and the post are additively manufactured from a biocompatible material, and the documented examples indicate titanium. The described construction provides an additively formed trabecular metal suture anchor with a rotatable post inside the bore and an integrated fork configuration. Reported structural behaviors include polyaxial rotation and axial movement of the post within the central bore.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes 2 independent claims, both centered on a suture-to-bone anchor device having an additively manufactured trabecular mesh core body with a central bore and a rotatably coupled post carrying a fork for attaching soft tissue, with optional additive manufacturing and biocompatible material limitations in one independent claim.
Trabecular mesh core circumscribing solid inner wall defining a central bore
A body portion having a trabecular mesh core that at least partially defines a central bore between the first end and the second end and a solid inner wall extending from the first end and at least partially defining the central bore, wherein the trabecular mesh core circumscribes the solid inner wall.
Spirally extending exterior thread along trabecular mesh core
At least one thread extending spirally along an exterior of the trabecular mesh core between the first end and the second end.
Rotatably coupled post with fork configured to attach soft tissue using suture material
A post at least partially positioned within the central bore and rotatably coupled to the body portion, wherein the post comprises a fork extending from the second end of the body portion and configured to attach soft tissue to the bone using the suture material.
Openings in trabecular mesh core configured to facilitate bone growth
The trabecular mesh core comprises a plurality of openings configured to facilitate bone growth through the trabecular mesh core.
Additively manufactured body portion and post from biocompatible material
The body portion and the post are additively manufactured from a biocompatible material.
Across the independent claims, the core claim elements are the trabecular mesh core with a central bore and a solid inner wall, optional exterior spirally extending thread, a rotatably coupled post with a fork for attaching soft tissue using suture material, openings configured for bone growth, and in one independent claim the additive manufacture of both the body and the post from a biocompatible material.
Stated Advantages
Osteointegration/bone ingrowth is used to reduce dislodgement and hardware failure.
Improved bone engagement is reported versus PEEK.
An all-in-one fork/post configuration is described to avoid separation.
The device is described as allowing loading of needles/suture prior to insertion.
Documented Applications
The anchor device is used for attaching suture material to bone, with the fork configured to attach soft tissue to the bone using the suture material.
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