Fenestrated suture anchor and method for knotless fixation of tissue

Abstract

A fenestrated suture anchor for fixation of tissue to bone. In a preferred embodiment, the suture includes an implant, such a swivel implant with a forked tip for capturing suture. The implant is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, to engage and fully seat the implant. The cannulated fixation device is provided with a plurality of openings or fenestrations of various dimensions and geometries to provide multiple pathways through the anchor (i.e., though the interior of the body and through the fenestrations) to allow blood to flow to increase the healing zone, for example, for rotator cuff repair, while also promoting bone in-growth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 043,008, filed on Mar. 5, 2008, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 802,057, filed on May 18, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 801,097, filed on May 18, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. This application is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 392,798, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 666,518, filed on Mar. 30, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are also incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to surgical fixation and, more particularly, to methods of conducting anatomical tissue repair, such as ligament repair and reconstruction, using a fenestrated suture anchor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention provides apparatus and methods for anatomical tissue repair and reconstruction, using a fenestrated suture anchor for knotless tissue fixation. In one method of tissue fixation, a swivel implant is used to capture a suture chain formed of at least two loops formed of high strength suture. A driver is provided direct the tip of the swivel implant to capture loops of the suture chain. The swivel implant is locked and secured in bone by inserting a cannulated fixation device (for example, an interference plug or screw) over the implant. The cannulated fixation device is provided with a plurality of openings or fenestrations of various dimensions and geometries to provide multiple pathways through the device (i.e., though the interior of the body and through the fenestrations) to allow blood to flow to increase the healing zone, for example, for rotator cuff repair, while also promoting bone in-growth.

Problems solved by technology

Securing suture during surgery can be difficult and demanding.

While it appears that tissue can be bound to bone according to the Thal teachings, it is not evident how to accomplish in situ surgical refinements such as adjustment of the loop length or tension on the repaired tissue.

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