Multi-barrel drill guide

Abstract

To provide a multi-barrel drill guide for drilling a pilot hole at a surgical repair site and inserting a suture anchor into the pilot hole while maintaining alignment of the drill guide with the pilot hole.SOLUTION: A multi-barrel drill guide comprises: an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end; an elongated distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongated body; and a handle extending from the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated body has a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel. The first channel and the second channel intersect at a convergence area at the distal end. A drill bit is movable in a slidable manner within the second channel, and a driver loaded with a suture anchor is movable in a slidable manner within the first channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 15 / 679,641, filed August 17, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 515,074, filed June 5, 2017.

[0002] The present invention relates to a drill guide for drilling pilot holes at a surgical repair site and inserting suture anchors into the pilot holes, and more particularly to a multi-barrel drill guide for drilling pilot holes at a surgical repair site and inserting suture anchors into the pilot holes while maintaining alignment between the drill guide and the pilot holes. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art Many orthopedic and medical procedures require the fixation of one body part to another. Such body parts may include bones, soft tissues, and prosthetic limbs. One body part can be fixed in position relative to another body part using connector devices, such as screws and suture anchors (e.g., cannulated knotless suture anchors and soft all-suture anchors). For example, various orthopedic surgical procedures require the insertion and fixation of a suture anchor into bone. In such procedures, a pilot hole is drilled into the bone before inserting the suture anchor. Traditionally, a standard single-barrel drill guide is placed at the desired pilot hole location on the bone, and a drill is placed through the drill guide to create the pilot hole. The drill is then removed and replaced with a driver preloaded with the suture anchor. Thus, the surgeon must match the alignment of the drill guide with the pilot hole while also completely removing the drill from the drill guide and inserting the driver. Changing tools in the drill guide after creating the pilot hole increases the risk of losing the alignment of the drill guide with the pilot hole. Loss of alignment can require additional surgical time to correct the misalignment, if at all possible, and can cause trauma to the tissue or bone surrounding the pilot hole. Loss of alignment can also result in bending of the anchor inserter rod or an anchor not being fully inserted into the pilot hole, which can add cost and surgical time. To avoid misalignment with a standard single-barrel guide, an assistant may be required to help maintain alignment or attempt realignment.

[0004] Related Art Section Disclaimer Explanation: To the extent that specific patents / publications / products are discussed in this Related Art Section description or elsewhere in this disclosure, these discussions should not be taken as an admission that the discussed patents / publications / products are prior art for purposes of patent law. For example, some or all of the patents / publications / products discussed may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter that developed early enough in time, and / or may not be sufficiently valid to be prior art for purposes of patent law. To the extent that a specific patent / publication / product is discussed above in this Related Art Section description and / or throughout the application, that description / disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention recognize that there are potential problems and / or shortcomings with conventional single barrel drill guides (discussed herein above). For example, removing the drill bit from the drill guide and replacing it with a driver to insert a suture anchor is not possible. This increases the risk of misalignment of the pilot hole and the drill guide, which requires additional surgical time and poses a risk of trauma to the surrounding tissue and bone. Therefore, there is a need for a multi-barrel drill guide configured to simultaneously accommodate both a drill bit and a driver with a suture anchor. Such a structural configuration allows the suture anchor to be positioned with the anchor driver in separate but converging pathways / channels within the drill guide, ready for insertion into the pilot hole immediately after the pilot hole is formed by the drill bit, without the need to withdraw the drill bit from the drill guide before inserting the suture anchor driver into the post-convergence region of the drill guide. Various embodiments of the present invention may be advantageous in that they may solve or reduce one or more of the potential problems and / or disadvantages described herein.

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to the inventive configuration, structure, and resulting function of a multi-barrel drill guide. The multi-barrel drill guide includes an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis having proximal and distal ends, with a handle extending from the elongate body at an angle (either acute or perpendicular from the longitudinal axis) from the longitudinal axis at a location between the proximal and distal ends. The drill guide also includes an elongate distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongate body. According to a preferred embodiment, there are no moving parts on the exterior portion or surface of the elongate body. The drill guide has a first channel and a second channel, each extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The second channel extends at an angle relative to the first channel. The first and second channels intersect at a convergent region at the distal end. The multi-barrel drill guide is configured to accommodate a suture anchor and driver slidably movable within a first channel and a drill bit slidably movable within a second channel, or a drill bit slidably movable within a first channel and a suture anchor and driver slidably movable within a second channel. According to a preferred embodiment, the elongate body is completely sealed except for the proximal inlets of the first and second channels, a distal single outlet in the region after the convergence of the first and second channels, and an optional slot / slit for a suture that is connected to an anchor disposed through the outer surface of the elongate body (and preferably in the channel with the driver and suture anchor) and extends from the proximal end of the elongate body (back to the proximal end of the anchor driver) to the distal end of the elongate body (and the anchor).

[0007] According to another aspect, a method for drilling pilot holes and inserting suture anchors into the pilot holes includes, but is not limited to, the following steps: (i) providing a multi-barrel drill guide including an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the elongate body at an angle from the longitudinal axis (either an acute angle or a perpendicular angle from the longitudinal axis), an elongate distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongate body at a location between the proximal and distal ends, the distal guide tube having no moving parts on an exterior portion or surface of the elongate body, a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle relative to the first channel, and a convergence region at the distal end where the first and second channels intersect; (ii) inserting a driver with a suture anchor into the first channel and a drill bit into the second channel; and (iii) positioning the distal end of the drill guide against bone. (iv) extending a drill bit into the convergence region; (v) drilling a pilot hole in the bone with the drill bit; (vi) retracting the drill bit beyond the convergence region at the distal end of the elongate body of the drill guide; (vii) extending a driver having a suture anchor into the first channel and the convergence region; (viii) embedding the suture anchor into the pilot hole; (ix) pulling a length of suture connected to the suture anchor through a slit disposed in the first channel through the exterior surface of the elongate body; and (x) removing the drill guide from the bone. The above-referenced methods include a drill bit positioned in the first channel and a driver having a suture anchor positioned in the second channel. It can be carried out using:

[0008] Suture material or suture, as that term is used and described herein, includes monofilament or multifilament sutures and any other metallic or non-metallic filament or wire-like material suitable for performing the function of a suture, which may include both bioabsorbable and nonabsorbable materials.

[0009] As used herein, the term "suture anchor" can include both soft and hard suture anchors. Soft suture anchors are formed from filaments of suture material that are retained within a pre-formed bone hole by deforming the filament so that its diameter exceeds the size of the hole, thereby residing within the cancellous bone and subcortically. One such suture anchor is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012 / 0290004, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Because soft anchors are typically made entirely of suture material, they are sometimes referred to as "all-suture" anchors, and generally include a fibrous construct anchoring body portion (or, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,173,652, a fibrous, braided, or woven-type structure, such as a flexible web) and a suture or filament portion. Methods and devices for inserting / deploying such all-suture anchors are known, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,173,652.

[0010] As described in U.S. Patent No. 8,409,252, for example, a "non-soft," "hard," or "rigid" suture anchor generally includes a "hard" anchor body portion (which may or may not include an inner member and an outer member) and a suture / filament portion. The anchoring body of such a suture anchor may be formed of a biocompatible and / or bioabsorbable material. These materials may be of such compositions that are resorbed by the body, for example, during the bone healing process. Exemplary materials suitable for use in the inner and outer members include, but are not limited to, polyetheretherketone ("PEEK"), polylactic acid / β-tricalcium phosphate ("PLA / beta-TCP") composite, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene ("UHMWPE"), and other metallic, non-metallic, and polymeric materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter, to which other equally effective embodiments may be permissible.

[0012] Reference will now be made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional rear view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional rear / proximal view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front / distal view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic, assembled, rear perspective view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional front / distal side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional front / distal side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide in use according to an embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is an assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide in use according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide in use according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide in use according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view of a deployed suture anchor deployed with a multi-barrel drill guide, according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a multi-barrel drill guide 100 according to an embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the drill guide 100 includes an elongate body 102 extending along a central longitudinal axis x-axis having a proximal end 104 and a distal end 106, a handle 108 extending from the elongate body 102 between the proximal end 104 and the distal end 106, and a distal tube or guide tip 128 extending from the distal end 106. The elongate body 102 has a substantially sealed exterior (as described above and shown in the figures). Preferably, the exterior portion of the elongate body 102 does not include any moving parts that would complicate or hinder easy use of the drill guide 100.

[0015] 1, the handle 108 extends generally perpendicularly from the elongate body 102 between the proximal end 104 and the distal end 106 to increase balance and control of the drill guide 100. However, the handle 108 may extend from any position along the elongate body 102 at various angles relative to the central longitudinal axis xx to provide stability when a user grasps the handle 108 to deploy the drill guide 100 at a desired pilot hole location on the bone.

[0016] 1 , the elongate body 102 includes a first channel 110 and a second channel 112 for receiving tools for drilling pilot holes and inserting suture anchors. In the illustrated embodiment, both the first channel 110 and the second channel 112 extend from the proximal end 104 to the distal end 106 of the elongate body 102. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first channel 110 and the second channel 112 have different entry points along the proximal end 104 of the elongate body 102. The first channel 110 extends from an entry point (A) on the proximal end 104, and the second channel 112 extends from an entry point (B) on the proximal end 104. The two separate entry points (A) and (B) accommodate two tools: one for drilling pilot holes and one for inserting suture anchors into the drilled pilot holes.

[0017] 1, the first channel 110 extends substantially straight along a horizontal axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis xx of the elongate body 102. The second channel 112 extends at an angle relative to the first channel 110 and the central longitudinal axis xx. The first channel 110 and the second channel 112 have separate input points (A), (B) and a single convergence region 114 where the channels converge before a single exit point (C) (described below). The separation of the channels 110, 112 allows for the coexistence of placement and storage of two tools within the drill guide 100.

[0018] Although the first channel 110 and the second channel 112 extend from different entry points (A), (B) along the proximal end 104 of the elongate body 102, the first channel 110 and the second channel 112 share a single exit point (C) from the elongate body 102 on the distal end 106 of the elongate body 102. This exit point (C) leads to a single distal tube or guide tip 128. As further shown in FIG. 1 , the first channel 110 and the second channel 112 extend from the proximal end 104 and converge at a convergence region 114 at the distal end 106 of the elongate body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the convergence region 114 extends from the exit point (C) to the distal end 106. Thus, the first channel 110 is separate and distinct from the second channel 112 between the entry points (A), (B) and the convergence region 114. Thus, a user can use a desired tool in either the first channel 110 or the second channel 112 (one at a time) by extending the tool into the convergence region 114, exiting the drill guide 100 through the exit point (C) and into or out of the distal guide tip 128. The other tool can be seated (positioned and not moved) in the opposite channel.

[0019] In additional embodiments, the second channel 112 may include a bent portion 122 that extends at an increased angle relative to the first channel 110. Thus, the bent portion 122 extends at a different angle than the remainder of the second channel 112. The bent portion 122 ensures that there is sufficient distance between the input point (A) and the input point (B) so that the insertion and removal of a tool through the input point (A) does not interfere with the positioning of the tool at the input point (B), and vice versa.

[0020] To drill pilot holes and insert suture anchors, the separation of channels 110, 112 allows both the drill bit 116 and anchor driver 118 to be utilized in drill guide 100 without the risk of movement that could cause misalignment of drill guide 100. In one embodiment, drill bit 116 is placed through second channel 112 until drill bit 116 is at exit point (C) and positioned through distal tube or guide tip 128, while suture anchor is placed through first channel 110. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 , suture anchor is pre-loaded onto driver 118 and placed through first channel 110 up to, but not extending into, convergence region 114. In an alternative embodiment, drill bit 116 is placed in first channel 110, while driver 118 with pre-loaded suture anchor is placed in second channel 112.

[0021] Next, the distal guide tip 128 of the drill guide 100 (or, if no distal tip 128 is present, the distal end 106 of the drill guide 100) is positioned against the bone, and the drill bit 116 is used to drill a pilot hole (a similar method of using a drill guide is shown and described below with respect to drill guide 200). The drill bit 116 is then removed, and the driver 118 is extended through the first channel 110, the convergence region 114, and the distal tip 128 (if present) through an exit point to insert a suture anchor into the pilot hole. Because the first channel 110 and the second channel 112 share a common exit point (C) (and in some embodiments, a common distal tip 128), the driver 118 can be used to push the suture anchor directly into the pilot hole. Thus, after the pilot hole has been drilled, fewer actions are required by the surgeon to insert the suture anchor (i.e., each tool (drill bit, driver with anchor) is present and ready to use). Thus, there is less risk of the drill guide 100 moving out of alignment with the pilot hole.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2 , a side view of the fully assembled multi-barrel drill guide 100 shown in FIG. 1 is shown, according to an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate body 102 includes a slot 120 extending from the proximal end 104 to the distal end 106. The slot 120 can extend through the elongate body 102 into the first channel 110 from a distal portion of the first channel to the distal end 106 of the guide 106. The proximal portion of the slot 120 does not extend into the first channel. Thus, the suture 123 does not interfere with movement of the driver 118 within the first channel 110 (although in some embodiments, the suture extends into the first channel along the entire length of the slot, or between 50 percent and the entire length). A length of suture 123 extending from an anchor (not shown) can be pulled through the slot 120, allowing the drill guide 200 to be pulled from the pilot hole without disrupting the implanted suture anchor. Additionally, slot 120 facilitates anchors with needles being used with drill guide 200. Slot 120 allows the needle and suture 123 to be released from the anchor driver handle and pulled away from guide 100 without requiring the curved suture needle to move through a channel or slot.

[0023] 3-13 relate to an alternative embodiment of drill guide 200. Drill guide 200 includes many of the same elements of drill guide 100 described above. The alternative embodiments include alternative and sometimes additional components, although some of the alternative embodiments function in a similar manner. Accordingly, most of the discussions above regarding the above embodiment with respect to function and some of the basic parts of the drill guide apply equally to the alternative embodiments discussed below.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional side view of a multi-barrel drill guide 200 is provided in accordance with an embodiment. Similar to drill guide 100, drill guide 200 includes an elongate body 202 extending along a central longitudinal axis xx having a proximal end 204 and a distal end 206, a handle 208 extending from elongate body 202 between proximal end 204 and distal end 206, and a distal tube or guide tip 228 extending distally from distal end 206. Elongate body 202 has a substantially sealed exterior (as described above and shown in the figures). The exterior portion of elongate body 202 preferably does not include any moving parts that would complicate or hinder easy use of drill guide 200.

[0025] 3 , the elongate body 202 includes a first channel 210 and a second channel 212 for receiving tools for drilling pilot holes and inserting the suture anchor 10. In the illustrated embodiment, both the first channel 210 and the second channel 212 extend from the proximal end 204 to the distal end 206 of the elongate body 202. The first channel 210 and the second channel 212 have different entry points along the proximal end 204. The first channel 210 extends from an entry point (A) on the proximal end 204, and the second channel 212 extends from an entry point (B) on the proximal end 204. The two separate entry points (A), (B) accommodate two tools: one for drilling the pilot holes (e.g., a drill bit 216) and one for inserting the suture anchor 10 into the drilled pilot holes (e.g., an anchor driver 218).

[0026] The first channel 210 extends along the elongate body 202 with a slight constant curve toward the handle 208 (discussed further with reference to FIG. 7B). Alternatively, there may be a slight bend toward the handle that is not a constant curve, beginning at some point between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate body. The second channel 212 extends at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis xx. This allows the first channel 210 and the second channel 212 to have separate input points (A), (B) and a single convergence region 214 where the channels converge before a single exit point (C) (discussed below). Channel 210 , 212 allows for placement and storage of the two tools within the drill guide 200.

[0027] Although the first channel 210 and the second channel 212 extend from different entry points (A), (B) along the proximal end 204 of the elongate body 202, the first channel 210 and the second channel 212 share a single exit point (C) from the elongate body 202 at the distal end 206 of the elongate body 202. This exit point (C) leads to a single distal tube or guide tip portion 228. In the illustrated embodiment, a convergence region 214 extends from the exit point (C) to the distal end 206. Thus, the first channel 210 is separate and distinct from the second channel 212 between the entry points (A), (B) and the convergence region 214. Thus, a user can use a desired tool in either the first channel 210 or the second channel 212 (one at a time) by extending the tool into the convergence region 214, exiting the drill guide 200, through the exit point (C), and into or out of the distal guide tip 228. The other tool can be seated (positioned and not moved) in the opposite channel. The second channel 212 can include a bent portion 222 that extends at an increased angle relative to the first channel 210. Thus, the bent portion 222 extends at a different angle than the remainder of the second channel 212. The bent portion 222 ensures that there is sufficient distance between the input point (A) and the input point (B) so that the insertion and removal of the tool through the input point (A) does not interfere with the positioning of the tool at the input point (B) (and vice versa).

[0028] 4A-B, cross-sectional rear views of a multi-barrel drill guide 200 are provided, according to an embodiment. A locking mechanism 230 is shown, including a locking pin 230-1 having a stop 230-2 and a passageway 230-3. The locking mechanism 230 is movable between a locked position, shown in FIG. 4A, and an unlocked position, shown in FIG. 4B. In the locked position, the stop 230-2 contacts the shaft of the anchor driver 218, holding the anchor driver 218 in place within the first channel 210. After a pilot hole has been drilled with the drill bit 216, when the user is ready to use the anchor driver 218, the user can activate the locking mechanism 230 by pulling the locking pin 230-3 (from the opposite side of the figure (not shown) to the page) so that the stop 230-2 no longer contacts the locking pin 230-1 and the shaft of the anchor driver 218 is free to move through the passageway 230-3 (as shown in FIG. 4B). Other locking mechanisms are contemplated (as should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure) so long as the locking mechanism is actuable from a locked position to an unlocked position (and vice versa) and can be spring loaded and biased toward the locked or unlocked position to allow for locking and release of the anchor driver 218.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5 , distal guide tube 228 may further include a plurality of teeth 301 on distal end 206. Teeth 301 protrude from the distal end of distal guide tube 228 such that teeth 301 grip bone when drill guide 200 is placed against the bone to create a pilot hole. Thus, the teeth serve to provide additional stability to drill guide 200 and are configured to help maintain alignment of drill guide 200 with the desired pilot hole location on the bone. The teeth can vary in number from one to multiple and can be of any shape and sharpness capable of assisting the above-referenced functions.

[0030] 6, in additional embodiments, teeth 301 on the distal end of distal guide tube 228 may be configured to receive additional force against the bone around the desired location of the pilot hole. In such embodiments, handle 208 of drill guide 200 may further include a mallet section 303 that provides additional surface area at the proximal end of drill guide 200 for striking with a mallet or other similar device. As shown, mallet section 303 extends from handle 108 near where handle 208 extends from elongated body 202. 301 (although mallet section 303 may be positioned anywhere near the proximal end of drill guide 200 and / or handle 208). Mallet section 303 is proximal to elongated body 302 because striking mallet section 303 applies force to elongated body 202 toward teeth 301, driving teeth 301 into the bone around the desired location of the pilot hole. Applying force to teeth 301 via mallet section 303 increases the stability of drill guide 200 against the bone, aiding in drilling the pilot hole and inserting the suture anchor.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 7A , a cross-sectional side view of the distal end of a multi-barrel drill guide 200 is provided, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A illustrates a portion of a drill bit 216 positioned within a second channel 212, through the distal end 206 of the elongate body 202, and within a distal guide tube 228. As shown, the drill bit 216 bends at a point 216-1 near the convergence region 214 (1) to allow it to be manipulated in a straight line through the distal guide tube 228, and (2) to allow it to drill a hole in bone that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis x---x and not angled. The drill bit 216 is preferably bent appropriately and sufficiently to allow it to be manipulated through the convergence region into the distal guide tube 228 and back out again (similar attributes are intended for the anchor driver 218 when positioned through the second channel 212 instead). A cylindrical guide sleeve (not shown) can be disposed within second channel 212, convergent region 214, and / or distal guide tube 228, having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of drill bit 216 and an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameters of second channel 212, convergent region 214, and distal guide tube 228. This guide sleeve can center the tip of drill bit 216 within distal guide tube 228 to further ensure a specific / predetermined trajectory of the pilot hole.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 7B , a cross-sectional side view of a multi-barrel drill guide 200 is provided, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B illustrates a bend 210-1 in a first channel 210 that curves in a direction toward the handle 208. As shown, the first channel 210 curves in a direction toward the handle 208 from a point between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate body 202 to a convergent region 214 (it is contemplated that the curve can begin at any point between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate body 202 and extend to the convergent region just before or just after the convergent region). This bend is structured and configured to position / guide the anchor driver along the same path as the drill bit (substantially straight, along the bottom of the distal drill guide 228) so that the anchor can be more easily inserted into a previously drilled bone hole. In other words, with this bend 210-1 in place, the anchor is less likely to miss a previously drilled hole and is easier to insert into a pilot hole without having to adjust the distal end of the distal guide tube 228 to sufficiently align the hole for anchor deployment. Figure 7C is a schematic side view of the distal end of a multi-barrel drill guide 200, according to an embodiment. Figure 7C shows an anchor driver 218 positioned through a distal guide tube 228 and traveling along the same path as the drill bit (substantially straight along the bottom of the distal guide tube 228). Thus, if the position of the multi-barrel drill guide 200 is maintained relative to the bone after a pilot hole has been drilled, an anchor 10 with a length of suture 223 should be easily delivered into a previously formed pilot hole without having to move or change the angle of the distal guide tube 228 to position the pilot hole.

[0033] Referring to Figure 8, a fully assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide 200 is provided in accordance with an embodiment. From the proximal to distal end of the multi-barrel drill guide 200, Figure 8 shows the anchor driver 218, drill bit 216, elongated body 202, mallet section 303, handle 208, distal end 206 of elongated body 202, distal guide tube 228, and tines 301. The drill bit 216 in this embodiment is inserted into the distal guide tube 228. The distal end of the drill tube 228 is preloaded with the distal tip of the drill bit.

[0034] 9-13 illustrate a method of using a multi-barrel drill guide 200 according to an embodiment. Each figure shows a fully assembled side view of a multi-barrel drill guide 200 according to an embodiment.

[0035] Referring to Figure 9, in a first step, while holding the handle 208, the user / medical practitioner positions the tooth 301 relative to the tooth 400 and obtains a stable grip of the tooth 301 relative to the bone 400. Referring to Figure 10, in a second step, the user advances the drill bit 216 distally to form the pilot hole 402, as shown in Figure 11. After the pilot hole 402 is formed, in a third step, the drill bit 216 is removed from the multi-barrel drill guide 200. Referring to Figure 12, in a fourth step, the anchor driver 218 is advanced distally to deploy the anchor 10 into the pilot hole 402.

[0036] After the anchor is inserted, the suture 223 is pulled from the slot / slit 224 (positioned through the outer surface of the elongate body 202). Prior to deployment, the suture 223 passes through the slot / slit 224 in the side of the body 202 and is partially positioned within the first channel 210 at the distal end of the channel with the driver 218 connected to the suture anchor 10. The slot 120 extends through the elongate body 202 into the first channel 210 from the distal portion of the first channel to the distal end of the guide 206. The proximal portion of the slot does not extend into the first channel 210 so that the suture 223 does not interfere with the movement of the driver 218 within the first channel 210. After the suture 223 is pulled and removed from the slot / slit 224, the multi-barrel drill guide 200 can be removed from the drilling / deployment site (as shown in FIG. 13 ). A medical practitioner may complete the insertion / deployment of the suture anchor 10 (as should be understood by those skilled in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure).

[0037] While embodiments of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, which may be supported by the written description and drawings. Furthermore, when an exemplary embodiment is described with reference to a particular number of elements, it will be understood that the exemplary embodiment may be implemented utilizing any of the particular number of elements or less.

Claims

1. an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body having a handle extending from the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends; an elongate distal guide tube attached to and extending distally from the distal end of the elongate body, an elongate distal guide tube having no moving parts on an exterior portion of said elongate body; a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle to the first channel; a convergent region at the distal end where the first channel and the second channel intersect.

2. The multi-barrel drill guide of claim 1 , further comprising a mallet section extending proximally from the handle.

3. The multi-barrel drill guide of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of teeth on a distal end of the distal guide tube.

4. The multi-barrel drill guide of claim 1 , wherein the converging region extends to a single exit point.

5. The drill guide of claim 1 , further comprising a portion of the second channel extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis that is different from a remainder of the second channel.

6. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 1 , wherein the first channel curves in a direction toward the handle.

7. The multi-barrel drill guide of claim 1 , further comprising a slit on the exterior of the elongated body that extends into the first channel.

8. an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body having a handle extending from the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends; an elongate distal guide tube attached to and extending from the distal end of the elongate body; a first channel extending distally from the proximal end to the distal end; a second channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end at an angle to the first channel; a convergence region at the distal end where the first channel and the second channel intersect; a suture anchor disposed entirely within the first channel and movable in a slidable manner; a drill bit slidably movable within the second channel.

9. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8 , wherein the suture anchor is loaded onto a driver that is slidably movable within the first channel.

10. 10. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the driver in place relative to the first channel.

11. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8 , further comprising a mallet section extending proximally from the handle.

12. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of teeth on the distal end of the distal guide tube.

13. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8 , wherein an exterior portion of the elongated body has no moving parts.

14. 10. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8, further comprising a bent portion of the second channel that extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis different from a remainder of the second channel.

15. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8 , wherein the first channel curves in a direction toward the handle.

16. The multi-barrel drill guide system of claim 8 , further comprising a slit on the exterior of the elongate body that extends into the first channel.

17. 1. A method of drilling a pilot hole and inserting a suture anchor, the method comprising: providing a multi-barrel drill guide having an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body having a handle extending from the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends; an elongate distal guide tube attached to the distal end of the elongate body and extending distally, the elongate distal guide tube having no moving parts on an exterior portion of the elongate body; a first channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and a convergence region at the distal end where the first and second channels intersect; inserting a suture anchor into the first channel and a drill bit into the second channel; positioning the distal end of the distal guide tube relative to a bone; extending the drill bit through the convergence region and the distal guide tube; and drilling a pilot hole into the bone with the drill bit.

18. retracting the drill bit past the proximal end of the convergence region; 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising extending an anchor driver through the first channel and the convergence region.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising implanting the suture anchor into the pilot hole.

20. pulling a length of suture connected to the suture anchor through an exterior slit of the elongate body that extends into the first channel; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: removing the drill guide from the bone.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the drill guide further includes a mallet section extending proximally from the handle and a plurality of tines on the distal end of the elongate body.

22. The step of positioning the distal end of the drill guide relative to the bone comprises:

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising striking the mallet section so that it engages the bone.

23. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of releasing a locking mechanism from the anchor driver so that the anchor driver is free to move through the first channel.

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