Depth penetration limiter for tissue repair device

Abstract

Depth penetration limiters for tissue repair devices are disclosed. Depth penetration limiters for use with meniscal repair devices having a built-in self-stopping feature to prevent the limiter from dislodging from the device housing. The self-stopping feature is a cantilevered flexure on the bottom surface of the limiter that flexes as it moves through the housing. As the flexure passes the edge of a recess in the housing, the flexure returns to its original shape, thereby causing the flexure to catch on the recess and preventing further distal movement of the limiter / depth tube. A connection feature on the limiter provides increased pull-out resistance of the depth tube from the limiter.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application, with its parent application number being 202180014431.1, the application date being February 12, 2021, and the invention title being "Depth Penetration Limiter for Tissue Repair Device". Background Technology

[0002] Fibrous tissue wounds, such as tears of muscles, ligaments, and menisci, can be repaired arthroscopically using sutures. To close fibrous tissue wounds, surgeons typically insert a needle from a tissue repair device into the tissue to continuously deploy two anchors attached to the same suture on opposite sides of the wound, and reduce the length of the suture between the two anchors to close the wound side. Many such tissue repair devices use a finger-engageable sliding limiter that moves the depth tube to control the penetration depth of the delivery needle. However, currently, there are no features to prevent the limiter from being accidentally removed from the device housing. When pushed or pulled away from the device housing, the surgeon must manually reinsert the limiter into the housing, posing a risk of prolonged surgery duration. Moreover, due to the high surface friction of the mating feature, it can be difficult to attach the limiter to the depth tube. Therefore, a secondary operation is usually required to increase the inner diameter of the depth tube before attaching the limiter to the depth tube. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This document describes a depth penetration limiter for use with a meniscus repair device, the limiter having a built-in self-locking feature to prevent the limiter from detaching from the device housing. The self-locking feature is a cantilevered flexure on the bottom surface of the limiter that flexes as it moves through the housing. As the flexure passes the edge of a recess in the housing, it returns to its original shape, thereby locking the flexure within the recess and preventing further distal movement of the limiter / depth tube. Additionally, a connecting feature on the limiter advantageously provides increased pull-out resistance of the depth tube from the limiter.

[0004] Further examples of the tissue repair apparatus disclosed herein may include one or more of the following in any suitable combination.

[0005] In an example, the tissue repair device of this disclosure includes a shank having a proximal end and a distal end, and a needle assembly at least partially disposed within a channel extending through the shank. A depth tube including a cannula is configured to receive at least a portion of the needle assembly therein. A limiter member includes a housing disposed within the shank and a shaft extending from the distal end of the shank. The shaft is configured to engage the cannula of the depth tube. The limiter member has a finger-engageable actuator for allowing axial movement of the depth tube relative to the needle assembly. The housing of the limiter member includes a flexure configured to engage a recess in the housing to limit movement of the limiter member distally relative to the housing.

[0006] In another example, the proximal side of the flexure includes a cantilever surface configured to allow proximal movement of the limiter member relative to the housing. In another example, the outer surface of the limiter member's shaft has at least one connecting feature for increasing pull-out resistance between the limiter member's shaft and the sleeve of the depth tube. In another example, the at least one connecting feature is at least one circumferential rib formed by a conical segment of the limiter member's shaft. In yet another example, the at least one connecting feature is a plurality of barbs on the outer surface of the limiter member's shaft. In another example, the shank has a hub coupled to the distal end of a tube extending through the shank, and the housing of the limiter member is disposed within the hub. In another example, the top portion of the housing extends through an open slot in the hub. In another example, the proximal portion of the depth tube and the distal end of the needle assembly include coordinated markings for indicating the tissue penetration depth of the needle assembly. In another example, the depth tube is constructed of a flexible material such that the proximal end of the depth tube is configured to stretch around the outer surface of the limiter member's shaft. In the example, the limiter member includes a tab for continuously engaging a groove in the handle as the limiter member moves longitudinally within the handle.

[0007] Another example of the tissue repair device includes a shank having a proximal and a distal end, and a needle assembly at least partially disposed within a channel extending through the shank. A depth tube, including a cannula, is configured to receive at least a portion of the needle assembly therein. A limiter member includes a housing disposed within the shank and a shaft extending from the distal end of the shank. The shaft is configured to engage the cannula of the depth tube. The limiter member has a finger-engageable actuator for allowing axial movement of the depth tube relative to the needle assembly. The outer surface of the shaft of the limiter member includes at least one connection feature for increasing the pull-out resistance between the shaft of the limiter member and the cannula of the depth tube.

[0008] In another example, the housing of the limiter member includes a flexure configured to engage a recess in the housing to limit distal movement of the limiter member relative to the housing. In another example, the proximal side of the flexure includes a cantilever surface configured to allow proximal movement of the limiter member relative to the housing. In another example, at least one connecting feature is at least one circumferential rib formed by a conical segment of the axis of the limiter member. In yet another example, at least one connecting feature is a plurality of barbs on the outer surface of the axis of the limiter member. In another example, the shank includes a needle hub coupled to the distal end of a tube extending through the shank, and the housing of the limiter member is disposed within the needle hub. In another example, the top portion of the housing extends through an open slot in the needle hub. In another example, the proximal portion of the depth tube and the distal end of the needle assembly include coordinated markings for indicating the tissue penetration depth of the needle assembly. In another example, the depth tube is made of a flexible material such that the proximal end of the depth tube is configured to stretch around the outer surface of the axis of the limiter member. In the example, the limiter member includes a tab for continuously engaging a groove in the handle as the limiter member moves longitudinally within the handle.

[0009] These and other features and advantages will become apparent from reading the following detailed description and viewing the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and not intended to limit the claimed aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0010] This disclosure will be more fully understood by referring to the detailed description and the following figures, in which: Figure 1 A perspective view of a tissue repair apparatus is shown, the tissue repair apparatus including the depth penetration limiter of this disclosure; Figure 2A -C is Figure 1 Detailed view of the needle hub of the tissue repair device; Figure 3A and 3B A depth tube for attachment to a depth penetration limiter of this disclosure is shown; Figure 4A -C illustrates an example of a depth penetration limiter of this disclosure; and Figure 4D The needle hub connected to the tissue repair device is shown. Figure 4A -C is an instance of the depth penetration limiter. Detailed Implementation

[0011] In the following description, similar parts have been given the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different instances. To illustrate instances clearly and concisely, the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale, and some features may be shown in a slightly schematic manner. Features described and / or shown with respect to one instance may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other instances, and / or in combination with or in place of features of other instances.

[0012] As used in the specification and claims, for the purposes of describing and defining the invention, the terms “about” and “approximately” are used to indicate the inherent uncertainty attributable to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms “about” and “approximately” are also used herein to indicate the extent to which a quantitative representation may differ from the stated reference without causing a change in the essential function of the subject matter under discussion. The forms “comprising,” “including,” and / or each” are open-ended and include the listed portions and may include additional portions not listed. “And / or” is open-ended and includes one or more listed portions and combinations of listed portions. The use of the terms “above,” “below,” etc., is intended only to aid in the clear description of this disclosure and is not intended to limit the structure, location, and / or operation of the tissue repair device in any way.

[0013] Now go to Figure 1 An example of a tissue repair device 100, including the depth penetration limiter 400 of this disclosure, is shown in an assembled view. The device 100 generally includes a handle 110, a knob 120 coupled to the handle 110, a tube 130 disposed within the knob 120 and the handle 110, and a needle hub 170 coupled to the tube 130. As further described below, the depth penetration limiter 400 of this disclosure is disposed within the needle hub 170 and coupled to the depth tube 300. A needle assembly 180 extends through the depth tube 300 and houses at least one suture anchor (not shown) for deployment from the needle assembly 180 into tissue. Other non-limiting examples of the handle 110, knob 120, tube 130, needle hub 170, and needle assembly 180 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,888,798 to Bourque et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0014] Now go to Figure 2A -C shows an example of pin header 170 in a detailed view. Figure 2A The assembled needle hub 170 is shown, which has a first part 171 ( Figure 2B Part 172 and Part 2 Figure 2CDuring assembly, the first portion 171 and the second portion 172 define a sleeve 176 extending through the needle seat 170. Both the first portion 171 and the second portion 172 include first sections 171a, 172a and second sections 171b, 172b. An open slot 173 communicating with the sleeve 176 extends between the first sections 171a, 172a. The first sections 171a, 172a also include front portions 171a', 172a' and grooves 171a", 172a", the purpose of which will be described in more detail below. Each portion 171, 172 also includes tabs 171d, 172d located on the outer surfaces of the second sections 171b, 172b. The second sections 171b, 172b are received in the tube 130 (… Figure 1 The tabs 171d and 172d are positioned inside the hole 132 of the tube 130, thereby connecting the needle seat 170 to the tube 130.

[0015] Now go to Figure 3A An example of a depth tube 300 is shown in detailed view. The depth tube 300 includes a distal portion 300a, a proximal portion 300b, and a cannula 300c for passage through the needle assembly 180. In this example, the proximal portion 300b of the depth tube 300 includes a marking 300d. As further described below, the depth tube 300 may be made of a flexible material such that the proximal portion 300b of the depth tube 300 can be stretched around the outer surface of the depth penetration limiter 400.

[0016] like Figure 3B As shown, the depth penetration limiter 400 of this disclosure is coupled to the proximal portion 300b of the depth tube 300, while the needle assembly 180 extends from the distal portion 300a of the depth tube 300. The distal end of the needle assembly 180 also includes a mark 182 for indicating the penetration depth of the needle assembly 180 during repair. In use, as the depth tube 300 moves longitudinally along the needle assembly 180, the front portions 171a', 172a' of the needle hub 170 and the front portion 300a' of the depth tube 300 continue to align with the corresponding marks 300d, 182, such that the marks 300d, 182 that the front portions 171a', 172a', and 300a' are respectively aligned with are equivalent to each other. For example, when the front portions 171a', 172a' are aligned with the mark 300d corresponding to 1 mm, the front portion 300a' is also aligned with the mark 182 corresponding to 1 mm.

[0017] Now go to Figure 4A and 4B , in side view ( Figure 4A ) and isometric view ( Figure 4BThe following diagram illustrates a depth penetration limiter 400 of this disclosure. The depth penetration limiter 400 includes a shaft 401, a housing 402 coupled to the shaft 401, and a sleeve 403 for passage of the needle assembly 180 and / or actuator 184. Figure 4D In this example, the flexure 409 is coupled to the inner surface of the sleeve 403 such that the flexure extends below the housing 402, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below. The shaft 401 includes a connecting feature 407 configured to connect the shaft 401 to a proximal portion 300b of the depth tube 300. In this example, the connecting feature 407 is one or more circumferential ribs 404 defined by a conical segment 405 of the shaft 401. Figure 4C In other examples shown, the connecting feature 407 is a plurality of barbs 406 arranged circumferentially around the shaft 401. In these examples, the cross-section of the barbs 406 may be cylindrical, mirror-symmetrical, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, star-shaped, etc. The connecting feature 407 is configured to provide sufficient assembly force and increase the pull resistance of the depth tube 300 from the shaft 401. The depth tube 300 can be assembled to the shaft 401 by stretching the proximal portion 300b of the depth tube 300 around the connecting feature 407 and allowing the depth tube 300 to relax rearward around the surface of the shaft 401.

[0018] This disclosure contemplates other examples (not shown) of the depth tube 300 and / or the connecting feature 407. For example, the depth tube 300 may include a window serving as a snap-fit ​​for the connecting feature 407. Similarly, a plurality of snap-fits may be present on the depth tube 300, serving as a ratchet-pawl mechanism for the connecting feature 407 to the shaft 401. In other examples, the surface roughness, material combination, and various other surface parameters on the depth tube 300 and / or the shaft 401 can be adjusted to achieve the design intent. In other examples, the connecting feature 407 may be an asymmetrical “miniature barb” that requires a greater force to remove from the depth tube 300 than when assembled to it. In yet another example, a circular cross-section of one of the depth tubes 300 or shafts 401 may fit into a square cross-section of the other of the depth tubes 300 or shafts 401. In other examples, the shaft 401 and the depth tube 300 may be screwed together using a screw thread. In another example, the mating surfaces between the depth tube 300 and the shaft 401 can be the inner diameter of the boss on the shaft 401 and the outer diameter of the depth tube 300.

[0019] Now go to Figure 4D In another embodiment of the depth penetration limiter 400 disclosed herein, the housing 402 has a slot 173 for extending through the needle seat 170. Figure 3BThe top portion 402a and the bottom portion 402b connected to the shaft 401. The top portion 402a includes an upper tab 408. The housing 402 is located within the needle holder 170 such that the upper tab 408 is located within recesses 171a” and 172a” of the needle holder 170. The sleeve 403 is configured to allow the actuator 184 to pass through to deploy anchors from the needle assembly 180. The longitudinal movement of the depth tube 300 occurs by pressing the top portion 402a of the housing 402 in the direction toward the bottom portion 402b, so as to remove the upper tab 408” from one of the grooves 171a”, 172a”. Thus, the housing 402 can move longitudinally, and then the top portion 402a can be released, allowing the upper tab 408” to deposit into the other of the grooves 171a”, 172a”. Simultaneously, the flexure 409 deforms within the needle holder 170 and slides along the bottom surface 178 of the sleeve 176 of the needle holder 170. However, once… The upper protrusion 408 reaches the furthest recesses 171a” and 172a”, and the flexure 409 is configured to engage the recess 174 in the bottom surface 178 of the needle holder 170 and return to its original shape, thereby preventing the housing 402 from moving further distally relative to the needle holder 170. It is noteworthy that the proximal side 409a of the flexure 409 is cantilevered, allowing the flexure 409 to slide out of the recess 174 during proximal movement of the housing 402, thus enabling proximal movement of the depth tube 300. Furthermore, the cantilever of the proximal side 409a distributes stress evenly along its length.

[0020] This disclosure envisions other embodiments (not shown) of the depth penetration limiter 400. In one embodiment, the recess 174 may be on the depth tube 300, while the flexure 409 is on the needle assembly 180. In another embodiment, a limiting band may allow the depth penetration limiter 400 to travel within a defined distance, but stop traveling when it extends beyond the band's range. In yet another embodiment, a flexure snap-fit ​​may be integrated into the current flexure 409.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure may be practiced in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the foregoing examples are to be considered illustrative in all respects and not to limit the disclosure described herein. The scope of this disclosure is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and thus all variations in the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A tissue repair device, comprising: The handle (110) has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein; A needle assembly (180) is at least partially disposed within a channel extending through the shank (110); A depth tube (300) including a cannula (176) configured to receive at least a portion therein of the needle assembly (180); as well as A limiter member, which is at least partially disposed within the handle (110) and includes a shaft (401) extending from the distal end of the handle (110) and configured to engage the depth tube (300). The handle includes a needle hub connected to the distal end of a tube extending through the handle, wherein the housing of the limiter member is disposed within the needle hub; The limiter member has a finger-engageable actuator (402a) for allowing axial movement of the depth tube (300) relative to the needle seat. The limiting member is characterized in that it is axially movable by pressing the finger-engageable actuator in order to remove the tab (408) from the groove (171a”, 172a”) of the handle (110). The restrictor component includes a flexure (409) configured to engage a groove in the needle seat to prevent further distal axial movement of the depth tube (300) relative to the needle assembly (180) when the finger-engageable actuator is pressed.

2. The tissue repair device according to claim 1, wherein the restrictor member is configured to flex when the finger-engageable actuator (184) is pressed.

3. The tissue repair apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the shaft (401) of the restrictor member includes at least one connection feature for increasing the pull-out resistance between the shaft (401) of the restrictor member and the depth tube (300).

4. The tissue repair device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one connecting feature is at least one circumferential rib formed by a conical segment of the shaft (401) of the restrictor member.

5. The tissue repair device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one connection feature is a plurality of barbs on the outer surface of the shaft (401) of the restrictor member.

6. The tissue repair device of claim 1, wherein the top of the finger-engageable actuator extends through the slot.

7. The tissue repair apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the depth tube (300) and the distal end of the needle assembly (180) include coordinated markings for indicating the tissue penetration depth of the needle assembly (180).

8. The tissue repair device according to claim 1, wherein the depth tube (300) is made of a flexible material such that the proximal end of the depth tube (300) is configured to be stretched around the outer surface of the axis (401) of the restrictor member.

9. The tissue repair device according to claim 1, wherein the limiter member includes a housing disposed within the handle and coupled to the shaft (401).

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