# Patent

## Title
Systems and methods for attaching soft tissue to an implant

## Abstract

An implant has a soft tissue attachment structure, and a surface defining a trough. An ingrowth plate spans a portion of the trough and defines a suture tunnel between the ingrowth plate and the trough for receiving suture. The ingrowth plate bows convexly away from the surface and is perforated to facilitate long-term ingrowth and biologic fixation of soft tissue to the implant.

## Background
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,371, filed Sep. 14, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to implants, including orthopaedic implants for joint replacement, and more particularly to features of such implants for fixation of soft tissue thereto.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Many implants, including orthopaedic implants for joint replacement, do not have adequate soft tissue fixation features that allow for successful re-attachment of soft tissue and consequent functionality of the surrounding anatomy after implantation. Some existing limb-salvage systems including proximal tibia and proximal femur replacements have soft tissue attachment features integrated into the implant. Many of these existing systems have suture holes on either side of porous coated areas. An example system is the GMRS® (Global Modular Replacement System) Proximal Tibial Replacement sold by Stryker Orthopedics, Kalamazoo, Mich. Sutures are passed through the suture holes and through or over soft tissue in an attempt to hold the soft tissue against the porous coated areas. The goal is to try to promote ingrowth and fixation of the soft tissue to the porous coating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an embodiment, the present invention includes an implant comprising a joint component, and a soft tissue attachment structure. The soft tissue attachment structure includes a surface defining a spaced pair of troughs; a first fixation bridge spanning a portion of one of the pair of troughs; and a second fixation bridge spanning a portion of the other of the pair of troughs. Each fixation bridge and respective trough defines a suture tunnel for receiving suture.
In another embodiment, the present invention includes an implant comprising a joint component and a soft tissue attachment structure that includes a surface defining a trough and an ingrowth plate spanning a portion of the trough and defining a suture tunnel between the ingrowth plate and trough for receiving suture.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes an implant, comprising a joint component and a soft tissue attachment structure. The soft tissue attachment structure includes a surface defining at least one trough; a first fixation bridge spanning a portion of the at least one trough and defining a first suture tunnel for receiving suture; and a second fixation bridge spanning another portion of the at least one trough and defining a second suture tunnel for receiving suture.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from review of the following specification and the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a front (anterior) view of a proximal tibial component in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a side (lateral) view of the prior art proximal tibial component of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front (anterior) view of a half pelvis having a replacement acetabular cup implanted thereon in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a rear (posterior) view of the half pelvis and replacement acetabular cup of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a tilted side (lateral) view of the half pelvis and replacement acetabular cup of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a side (lateral) view of a replacement distal femoral component in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective cut-away view of a soft tissue fixation portion of the replacement distal femoral component of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a normal view of the soft tissue fixation portion of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an end view of the soft tissue fixation portion of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the soft tissue fixation portion of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a side view of an orthopedic implant in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a front view of the femoral component of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a front view of an assembled mid-section element of an orthopedic implant;
FIG. 14 is a front view of the disassembled mid-section element of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a front view of the femoral component of FIG. 12 connected to the disassembled mid-section element of FIG. 13, which is further connected to a diaphyseal stem; and
FIG. 16 is a front view of the elements of FIG. 15 fully assembled and implanted into bone.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Soft tissue attachment to metal prostheses remains an unsolved issue within the implant space generally; and the orthopedic space more particularly. The present invention solves this unmet need by providing a structure and method to fixate soft tissue to a metal prosthesis using both mechanical and biologic factors. This is advantageous as it leverages soft tissue repair methods and applies such methods to include a system of attachment sites within a metal prosthesis.
A prior art proximal tibial component 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a plurality of anterior-posterior oriented through holes 12a, 12b, and 14a, 14b, disposed medially and laterally of the longitudinal axis of the tibial component 10 and spaced apart along the general direction of the longitudinal axis. A plurality of medial-lateral oriented through holes 16, 18 and 20 are disposed adjacent the anterior face 22 of the tibial component 10 and are spaced apart along the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the tibial component. Through holes 12a, 12b, and 14a, 14b are open at the anterior face 22 and posterior face 24, respectively.
A bridge portion 26 of the anterior face 22 is located between holes 12a, 14a and holes 12b, 14b, respectively. Medial-lateral through holes 16, 18 and 20 form tunnels beneath bridge portion 26, Sutures may be passed through any or all of holes 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 16, 18 and 20 to secure soft tissue to tibial component 10. Sutures passed through any of holes 12a through 14b, or through any of the tunnels formed by holes 16, 18 and 20, can be placed to overlie or pierce soft tissue located adjacent bridge portion 26 with the object of holding the soft tissue in contact with a porous ingrowth surface 30 on the face 22 of bridge portion 26. The intended purpose of such suturing is to encourage growth of the soft tissue into the porous surface 30 for fixation to the tibial component 10.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a replacement acetabular component 100 is shown implanted to a pelvis 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the acetabular component 100 includes a system of suture tunnels 112 set in parallel (or in a matrix array) within a metal body. Together with each system of suture tunnels 112, and between adjacent tunnels, the surface 114 of the metal acetabular component 100 has a porous three-dimensional ingrowth patch 116 with a porous structure having pore spacing that is receptive to soft tissue. The structure allows an approach to attach remaining soft tissue to metal using a suture bridge technique. This construct and technique provides at least two points of fixation, or anchors, and provides compression of soft tissue into the porous ingrowth surface 116 by bridging the suture between two anchor points and over or through the tissue.
Replacement acetabular component 100 is configured for reconstruction of the soft tissue hip capsule during a pelvic reconstruction with a large metal prosthesis. Referring to FIG. 3 in particular, there is a set of parallel suture tunnels 118 and 120, each with one fixation site 122 and 124, respectively, disposed in the anterosuperior aspect of the acetabular rim 126. Similarly (see FIGS. 4 and 5), there is a set of parallel suture tunnels 128 and 130, each with two fixation points 132,134, and 136,138, respectively, disposed in an array in the superolateral aspect of the acetabulum and towards the reconstructed ilium. This placement allows for reconstruction of the pubofemoral ligament and iliofemoral ligament according to their original attachment sites on the native pelvis, as well as any additional muscular attachments that the surgeon desires. A slot may be provided through the acetabular cup to allow for screw placement in various orientations allowing for flexibility of fixation during implantation.
In FIG. 3, suture tunnels 118 and 120 comprise spaced, generally parallel grooves or troughs depressed in the surface 114 of the acetabular component 100 and extending generally parallel to the rim 126. Fixation sites 122 and 124 each comprise a bridge that spans transversely across respective grooves 118 and 120, such that grooves 118 and 120 each form a tunnel beneath respective fixation bridges 122 and 124. Sutures can be looped through each tunnel 118, 120 under the respective bridge 122, 124 such that bridges 122,124 serve as attachment points for the suture. The width of bridges 122, 124 may be sized to correspond to commonly used surgical needles to facilitate easier passing of sutures thereunder. By passing the suture between tunnels 118 and 120, i.e., from attachment point 122 to attachment point 124 and over ingrowth surface 116, soft tissue trapped between the suture and surface 116 can be pressed into contact with porous surface 116 to promote growth thereto and fixation of the soft tissue to acetabular component 100. Additionally, multiple sutures can be accommodated under one bridge, thus enabling for more pressure to be applied to tissue, and for consequently more ingrowth of tissue.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, suture tunnels 128 and 130 comprise spaced, generally parallel grooves or troughs depressed in the surface 114 of the acetabular component 100 and extending generally parallel to the rim 126, Of course, other configurations are also clearly contemplated. Fixation sites 132 and 136 each comprise a bridge that spans transversely across respective grooves 128 and 130, such that grooves 128 and 130 each form a tunnel beneath respective fixation bridges 132 and 136. Similarly, fixation sites 134 and 138 each comprise a bridge that spans transversely across respective grooves 128 and 130, such that grooves 128 and 130 each form a second tunnel beneath respective fixation bridges 134 and 138. Bridges 132 and 134 are spaced such that each provides a separate suture fixation site, respectively, with regard to groove 128. Bridges 136 and 138 are spaced such that each provides a separate suture fixation site, respectively, with regard to groove 130. Sutures can be looped through each tunnel 128, 130 under the respective bridge 132, 136. Similarly, sutures can be looped through each tunnel 128, 130 under the respective bridge 134, 138 such that bridges 134,138 serve as attachment points for the suture, By passing the suture between tunnels 128 and 136, i.e., from attachment point 132 to attachment point 136 and over ingrowth surface 116, soft tissue trapped between the suture and surface 116 can be pressed into contact with porous surface 116 to promote growth thereto and fixation of the soft tissue to acetabular component 100, Similarly, suture can be passed from attachment point 134 to attachment point 138. Alternatively, suture can be passed from anchor points 132 to 138, and from anchor points 134 to 136, in a criss-cross fashion, if desired. The number, size, orientation and spacing of the bridges across grooves 128 and 130 can be changed as desired to provide a multiplicity of suture attachment sites with corresponding multiplicity of options regarding the path of the suture between and among the attachment sites.
Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention includes a replacement femoral component 200 of an orthopedic oncology knee implant having an integrated soft tissue attachment structure 202 on the outside of a prosthetic lateral condyle. One purpose of this structure 202 is to allow for the initial approximation of tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue structures to their original anatomic location when that area of the bone is removed during surgery. The attachment structure 202 also allows for long-term ingrowth and biologic fixation of the soft tissue to the femoral component 200. In addition to providing for areas of ingrowth, structure 202 provides for adequate compression of the soft tissue thereto by suture to promote ingrowth, which is facilitated by the configuration of the attachment structure 202. Major elements of attachment structure 202 include ingrowth plates 204, 206 and 208 that each span a groove or trough 210 depressed below the outer surface 212 of the side of the condyle. In this embodiment, trough 210 runs generally parallel to the curvature of the face of the condyle in an L, C or U configuration. Trough 210 is deep enough to accommodate the size of the suture needle to be used.
Each ingrowth plate 204, 206, 208, of which ingrowth plate 204 may be regarded as representative, bows out convexly from the outer surface 212 of the implant as illustrated in FIGS. 6-10. Plate 204 has a honeycomb, mesh, or otherwise perforated plate portion 214 to encourage soft tissue growth. Plate portion 214 spans trough 210 from a first rim 216 to a second rim 218 at the opening of trough 210. At respective opposite sides of plate portion 214 and integral therewith are reinforcing rods 220 and 222 that likewise span trough 210 from first rim 216 to second rim 218. Rods 220, 222 are convexly curved along with plate portion 214 to bow outwardly from outer surface 212. A pair of depressions 224, 226 is oriented in the outer surface of rod 220 facing away from plate portion 214. Similarly, a pair of corresponding depressions 228, 230 is oriented on the outer surface of rod 222 facing away from plate portion 214 in a direction opposite the direction in which depressions 224, 226 face. The corresponding matching pairs of depressions roughly define lines that are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of trough 210 where it is spanned by plate portion 214. Depressions 224, 226, 228 and 230 at the edges of plate 204 are configured to receive and stabilize sutures to be wrapped around the plate through the trough 210 to overlie and compress soft tissue against plate portion 214 to facilitate ingrowth and fixation. Of course, any number, shapes, sizes and quantities of depressions or other such surface configurations are also contemplated.
Extending outwardly of outer surface 212, adjacent rims 216 and 218 respectively, where plate 204 connects thereto, are a pair of elongated protrusions 232, 234 running generally parallel to rims 216, 218. Each protrusion 232, 234 defines a respective tunnel or bore 236, 238, comprising suture eyelets, running generally parallel to rims 216, 218 and open at opposite ends. The holes in the eyelets are wide enough in diameter and have a radius of curvature adequate to pass the suture needle used for attaching the suture to the implant, whereby soft tissue may be sutured to the implant. Two sutures can be passed through tissue and through each of bore 236 and 238, separately. Alternatively, a single suture can be passed through tissue and through both bores 236 and 238 in a criss-cross fashion, applying increased pressure on tissue against plate 214 to further facilitate ingrowth and fixation.
Plate portion 214 includes a plurality of intersecting rows of walls 240 arranged diagonally with respect to the direction of span of plate 204, such that some of the rows intersect others of the rows at angles to define square, rectangular or diamond-shaped holes 242 that open normally to the convex surface of plate portion 214. Holes 242 are sized and configured to accommodate and facilitate ingrowth of soft tissue for fixation to attachment structure 202 of implant 200. Sutures can be passed both through the suture eyelets and underneath the ingrowth plates.
The sizes and position of plates and suture eyelets and the number, shape and position of each hole 242 can be varied depending on the implant and the anatomy to which the implant 200 is to be affixed. Further, the lattice structure could be made of smaller holes or cells mimicking a porous lattice.
Referring to FIG. 11, yet another embodiment of the invention includes a femoral prosthesis component 300 for replacing a segment of metaphyseal and/or epiphyseal bone of a femur 302 when it is medically feasible to perform a resection that spares the femoral condyle surface 304 of the knee joint. Component 300 includes an integrated soft tissue attachment structure 306 on the outside of a lateral surface of the component. One purpose of this structure 306 is to allow for the initial approximation of tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue structures to their original anatomic location when that area of the bone is removed during surgery. The attachment structure 306 also allows for long-term ingrowth and biologic fixation of the soft tissue to the femoral component 300. In addition to providing for areas of ingrowth, structure 306 provides for adequate compression of the soft tissue thereto by suture to promote ingrowth, which is facilitated by the configuration of the attachment structure 306. Major elements of attachment structure 306 include ingrowth plates 308 and 310 that each span a groove or trough 312 depressed below the curved outer surface 314 of the side of the femoral component 300. In this embodiment, trough 312 runs generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the femur. Trough 312 is deep enough to accommodate the size of the suture needle to be used.
Each ingrowth plate 308 and 310 bows out convexly from the outer surface 314 of the femoral component 300, similarly to the ingrowth plates 204, 206 and 208 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 described above. The description above of ingrowth plates 204, 206 and 208 relative to the implant applies also to ingrowth plates 308 and 310 in this embodiment and is incorporated here. Such features and geometries for soft tissue attachment and ingrowth are applicable to various implants.
FIG. 12 illustrates femoral segment component 300 which is generally shaped as a conical frustum corresponding in anatomical structure to the resected segment of the metaphyseal/epiphyseal bone that it replaces. The wider base surface 316 approximates the dimensions of the cut metaphyseal or epiphyseal bone. Certain dimensions of top surface 318 are configured to mate with those of a second, mid-section element 320 as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The curved outer surface 314 of component 300 is shaped to mimic the outer surface of the resected metaphyseal or epiphyseal bone in order to allow for ideal functioning of the nearby joint, for example to allow for smooth gliding of the patella.
The base 316 of component 300 comprises one or more contiguous planes corresponding to the plane(s) of bone resection. One or more pegs 322 with polygonal outer aspects, or other shapes, and having various lengths extend from the base 316 of component 300. The pegs 322 will be inserted into the remaining metaphyseal or epiphyseal bone (see FIG. 11). This polygonal outer aspect of the pegs 322 promotes an initial interference fit when inserted into corresponding, slightly narrower cylindrical holes 323 in the bone (see FIG. 16). Of course, other configurations of pegs and mating receiving holes are envisioned. AH aspects of component 300 in contact with bone may have porous surfaces or other surface treatments for facilitating bone ingrowth.
Femoral component 300 includes a tapered cylindrical cavity 324 in its top surface 318 to make a secure, reversible connection with mid-section element 320, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15. Of course, other interconnecting geometries are contemplated.
Mid-section element 320 comprises two elongated, partially overlapping elements 328 and 330 that are securely connected to each other at the time of surgery, or otherwise, using one or more bolts 332, 334 or other fastening devices. Element 328 includes a tapered cylindrical portion 336, also known as a Morse taper, that removably connects to the cylindrical cavity 324 of component 300. An upper end 338 of element 330, further from the knee joint, includes another well-known tapered cylindrical cavity (not shown) to make a secure connection with other prosthetic implants that connect to the remaining diaphyseal bone.
In FIG. 15, the upper element 330 of mid-section element 320 is shown connected to a typical diaphyseal stem 340 by way of a known Morse taper connection. Of course, other technologies for the connection, which technologies are well known to those skilled in the art, are contemplated. As further depicted in FIG. 15, the two-part mid-section 320 can be disassociated and removed without distraction of the entire assembly as would otherwise be required to disengage cylindrical connectors (e.g. Morse tapers). Distraction would be especially challenging for an implant that spares the natural joint surface due to the surrounding soft tissues. This mid-section can be exchanged later for a longer one to match a growing contralateral limb. Conversely, a midsection element which can elongate via a telescoping mechanism (not shown) can be utilized.
In order to meet the dimensional requirements discussed above, component 300 is preferably produced using additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. Additive manufacturing allows for complex metallic geometries to be produced that match a single or multi-plane bone resection.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein, Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. It is intended that the embodiments described above be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the appended claims. Moreover, none of the features disclosed in this specification should be construed as essential elements, and therefore, no disclosed features should be construed as being part of the claimed invention unless the features are specifically recited in the claims. In addition, it should be understood that any of the features disclosed on any particular embodiment may be incorporated in whole or in part on any of the other disclosed embodiments.
In any interpretation of the claims appended hereto, it is noted that no claims or claim elements are intended to invoke or be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

## Claims

1. An implant, comprising:
a joint component, and
a soft tissue attachment structure, including:
a surface defining a spaced pair of troughs;
a first fixation bridge spanning a portion of one of the pair of troughs; and
a second fixation bridge spanning a portion of the other of the pair of troughs, the second fixation bridge being separated from and non-continuous with the first fixation bridge;
each fixation bridge and respective trough defining a suture tunnel for receiving suture;

wherein the surface further defines a soft tissue ingrowth patch between the spaced pair of troughs.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the soft tissue ingrowth patch includes a porous structure having pore spacing that is receptive to soft tissue.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the suture tunnel defined by the first fixation bridge and the portion of one of the pair of troughs is parallel to the suture tunnel defined by the second fixation bridge and the portion of the other of the pair of troughs.

4. The implant of claim 1,
wherein the soft tissue attachment structure further includes:
a third fixation bridge spanning a portion of one of the pair of troughs and spaced from the first fixation bridge; and
a fourth fixation bridge spanning a portion of the other of the pair of troughs and spaced from the second fixation bridge.

5. The implant of claim 1, further comprising:
a second soft tissue attachment structure, including:
a second surface defining a second spaced pair of troughs;
a third fixation bridge spanning a portion of one of the second pair of troughs; and
a fourth fixation bridge spanning a portion of the other of the second pair of troughs;

each fixation bridge and respective trough defining a suture tunnel for receiving suture.

6. The implant of claim 5, wherein the second surface further defines a second soft tissue ingrowth patch between the second spaced pair of troughs.

7. An implant, comprising:
a joint component, and
a soft tissue attachment structure, including:
a surface defining a trough; and
an ingrowth plate spanning a portion of the trough, and defining a suture tunnel between the ingrowth plate and trough for receiving suture; and
a pair of reinforcing rods integral with the ingrowth plate and spanning a portion of the trough.

8. The implant of claim 7, wherein the ingrowth plate bows convexly away from the surface.

9. The implant of claim 7, wherein the ingrowth plate is perforated to facilitate long-term ingrowth and biologic fixation of soft tissue to the joint component.

10. The implant of claim 9, wherein the ingrowth plate is configured as a mesh.

11. The implant of claim 10, wherein the perforated ingrowth plate has perforations defined by a plurality of intersecting rows of walls.

12. The implant of claim 11, wherein some of the rows intersect others of the rows at angles to define polygonal-shaped holes.

13. The implant of claim 12, wherein the polygonal-shaped holes are selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular and diamond-shaped holes.

14. The implant of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing rods include depressions that are configured to receive sutures therein.

15. The implant of claim 8, further comprising a pair of protrusions extending outwardly of the surface and located adjacent the ingrowth plate.

16. The implant of claim 15, in which each of the pair of protrusions defines a suture eyelet.

17. An implant, comprising:
a joint component, and
a soft tissue attachment structure, including:
a surface defining a first trough and a second trough;
a first fixation bridge spanning a portion of the first trough and defining a first suture tunnel for receiving suture; and

a second fixation bridge spanning a portion of the second trough and defining a second suture tunnel for receiving suture, the second fixation bridge being separated from and non-continuous with the first fixation bridge;
wherein the surface defines a soft tissue ingrowth patch having a porous structure with pore spacing that is receptive to soft tissue.