Suture anchor and suture anchor installation tool

Patent 4968315 Issued on November 6, 1990. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 8, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3716058

Anchoring bolt
Patent #: 4657461
Issued on: 04/14/1987
Inventor: Smith

Medical devices incorporating sim alloy elements
Patent #: 4665906
Issued on: 05/19/1987
Inventor: Jervis

Surgical fastener
Patent #: 4669473
Issued on: 06/02/1987
Inventor: Richards , et al.

Method and apparatus for anchoring and manipulating cartilage Patent #: 4741330
Issued on: 05/03/1988
Inventor: Hayhurst

Inventor

Gatturna, Roland F.

Assignee

Mitek Surgical Products, Inc.

Application

No. 308318 filed on 02/08/1989

US Classes:

606/72, Orthopedic fastener606/139, Suture, ligature, elastic band or clip applier606/151, Surgical mesh, connector, clip, clamp or band606/232Suture retaining means (e.g., buttons)

Examiners

Primary: Green, Randall L.
Assistant: Jackson, Gary

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Schiller, Pandiscio & Kusmer

International Class

A61B 017/00

Abstract

A novel suture anchor comprising (a) a coupling member having a first end portion and a reduced second end portion, and a shoulder formed at the junction of the first end portion and the reduced second end portion, (b) at least one barb, the barb having a first end and a second end and being curved in its normal unstressed state and being capable of being elastically deformed to a substantially straight configuration, the barb being attached to the coupling member so that the second end of the barb is substantially displaced from the coupling member when the barb is in its normal unstressed state but is capable of being aligned with the coupling member when the barb is deformed to a substantially straight length, and (c) attachment means for attaching one end of a suture to the suture anchor. The suture anchor is installed in a hole in bone using a suitable installation tool by aligning the second end of the barb with the coupling member, inserting the anchor in the hole, and then permitting the second end of the barb to assume a displaced position whereby the barb and coupling member are driven into engagement with the sidewall of the hole.