Apparatus and method for suture attachment

Patent 5156616 Issued on October 20, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 10, 2012. 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

Connector and insertion tool
Patent #: 4507817
Issued on: 04/02/1985
Inventor: Staffeld

Cannulated fixation screw
Patent #: 4537185
Issued on: 08/27/1985
Inventor: Stednitz

Suture anchor system
Patent #: 4738255
Issued on: 04/19/1988
Inventor: Goble , et al.

Repair tack for bodily tissue
Patent #: 4976715
Issued on: 12/11/1990
Inventor: Bays, et al.

Bone screw
Patent #: 5019079
Issued on: 05/28/1991
Inventor: Ross

Bone anchor and method of anchoring a suture to a bone
Patent #: 5037422
Issued on: 08/06/1991
Inventor: Hayhurst, et al.

Suction drainage-bone screw Patent #: 5047030
Issued on: 09/10/1991
Inventor: Draenert

Inventors

Application

No. 832964 filed on 02/10/1992

US Classes:

606/232, Suture retaining means (e.g., buttons)411/395, Having bore therethrough606/73Threaded fastener element

Examiners

Primary: Pellegrino, Stephen C.
Assistant: Jackson, Gary

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Woodard, Emhardt, Naughton Moriarty & McNett

International Class

A61B 017/00

Abstract

A cannulated bone screw is illustrated that retains a knotted suture and which is anchored to bone. The cannulated bone screw comprises a biocompatible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and the body includes exterior screw threads for inserting and retaining the body into the bone. The body is cylindrical and has a passageway that extends axially therethrough. The passageway includes a central portion, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The central portion has a diameter less then the distal portion and is sized to receive a suture thread therethrough. The distal portion is sized to receive a suture thread knot. The suture thread knot received within the distal portion is retained by the central portion, which is sufficiently small to prevent the knot from being drawn therethrough. The proximal portion includes a hexagonal cavity for cooperating with an external drive tool for rotating the body and thereby driving the body into the bone.