Suture anchor insertion assemblies and methods of use
Inventors
Housman, Mark E. • Rogers, Jon-Paul
Assignees
Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG • Smith and Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd • Smith and Nephew Inc
Publication Number
US-12349894-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
2041-04-29
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Abstract
Suture anchor insertion assemblies include needles pre-attached to suture or suture tape, which reside within a housing of an inserter. The suture extends around a suture bridge of a suture anchor having at least one rib extending through the internal volume. An outer surface of the shaft of the inserter includes a groove sized to receive both the rib of the suture anchor and the length of suture while still allowing the suture to slide relative to the inserter.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to suture anchor insertion assemblies that include needles pre-attached to sutures or suture tape housed within a handle of an inserter. The suture extends around a suture bridge of a suture anchor, which has at least one rib extending through its internal volume. The shaft of the inserter features an outer groove sized to receive both the rib of the suture anchor and the length of suture, allowing the suture to slide relative to the inserter during deployment.
The invention addresses problems in the prior art where pre-attached needles cannot be passed through the center of the inserter shaft without requiring an open slot, which weakens insertion properties. Additionally, misalignment of the inserter to the suture anchor or improper sizing of sutures can prevent suture sliding after insertion. The assemblies described allow for the use of a larger cross-sectional area and quantity of sutures or suture tape without external voids in the inserter shaft, thus reducing the risk of insertion failure.
The configuration includes a suture anchor with a body defining an internal volume and at least one rib extending longitudinally through the volume. The inserter has a handle assembly and a shaft with at least one external channel that aligns with the rib(s) of the anchor. A flexible member with at least one leg coupled to a needle extends through the anchor's internal volume and along the shaft channel. The distal shaft features an open slot defined by prongs and a divider member creating passages for the suture, enabling sliding and supporting the suture bridge of the anchor. The handle includes a rotatable central component to release the sutures and needles after implantation.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering the suture anchor insertion assembly, a method of inserting a suture anchor into bone, and a surgical repair kit incorporating the suture anchor insertion assembly. The main inventive features relate to the structural configuration of the suture anchor, the inserter shaft with channels and slots, flexible members with needles, and the operational aspects of insertion and release.
Suture anchor with internal rib and inserter shaft with external channel and open slot
A suture anchor having a body with an internal volume and at least one rib extending through that volume. An inserter shaft having an exterior surface defining at least one channel extending along its length. The shaft ends distally in an open slot defined between proximally extending prongs and a divider member extending proximally from the slot. The suture anchor is disposed on the distal end of the shaft with the rib engaging the channel.
Flexible member with needle coupled to handle and extending through anchor and shaft
A flexible member having at least one leg with an end region coupled to a needle disposed within a proximal component of the handle assembly. This leg extends through the internal volume of the suture anchor and along the shaft channel, extending along an outer surface of the divider member and over a wall between the divider member and the channel.
Suture anchor body thread features and suture bridge configuration
The suture anchor body includes a plurality of turns of threads extending from proximal to distal end with apertures between the turns. It further includes a suture bridge at the distal end around which the flexible member extends, with the bridge housed within the open slot of the shaft such that its proximal end is adjacent to the distal end of the divider member.
Structural features defining suture passage through the inserter shaft and suture anchor
The at least one rib, the divider member, and sidewalls of the distal end of the shaft define at least one passage permitting passage of the flexible member's leg(s) through the internal volume of the suture anchor, including a divider member cross-section having a puzzle-cut.
Handle assembly rotation for release of sutures and needles
A central component of the handle assembly is configured to rotate relative to a proximal component to release the end region of the flexible member and needle from the handle assembly, and/or to release the leg(s) of the flexible member from the shaft channel.
Additional flexible member attachments
Configurations including attachment of an additional flexible member or another leg of the flexible member to the at least one leg of the flexible member for enhanced suture assembly.
Method of inserting a suture anchor using the assembly
A method comprising inserting the suture anchor assembly into bone with the described structural features, rotating the handle's central component relative to the proximal component to release the flexible member and needle, and subsequently removing the inserter.
Surgical repair kit incorporating the suture anchor insertion assembly
A kit including the described suture anchor insertion assembly with its components, another different suture anchor insertion assembly, a drill, and optionally a guide.
The patent claims cover the integrated structural and functional features of a suture anchor insertion assembly including a suture anchor with internal ribs, an inserter shaft with external channels and an open slot, flexible members with pre-attached needles extending through these features, mechanisms for sliding sutures during insertion, and handle rotation for release, as well as related methods and kits for surgical repair.
Stated Advantages
Allows for the use of a larger cross-sectional area and quantity of suture or suture tape compared to current assemblies without requiring external voids in the inserter shaft.
Reduces the risk of insertion failure by avoiding the weakening of the inserter shaft that occurs with open slots required for needle passage in prior art.
Facilitates proper alignment and sliding of the suture relative to the inserter during the repair.
Provides improved insertion performance and rigidity of the suture anchor through rib and divider member configurations.
Documented Applications
Surgical repair of tissue using suture anchors to attach tissue or tissue grafts to bone.
Achilles tendon repair as an example of use with the suture anchor insertion assembly.
Single suture anchor repair requiring fewer needle passes through tissue by attaching additional sutures to the suture legs.
Kits including suture anchor insertion assemblies, drills, and guides for surgical repair procedures.
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