Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9750492B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 00:49:53+00:00

Document:
2006-09-07 Assigned to DEPUY MITEK, INC. reassignment DEPUY MITEK, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ZINITI, DONALD, MORIN, ARMAND A., RANUCCI, KEVIN J.
2016-02-24 Assigned to DEPUY MITEK, LLC reassignment DEPUY MITEK, LLC CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DEPUY MITEK, INC.
Methods and devices are provided for attaching soft tissue to bone. In general, a deployment device, insertion assembly, and suture anchor are provided. The insertion assembly is coupled between the deployment device and the suture anchor to allow the deployment device to deploy the suture anchor into bone. Each of the various components disclosed herein can be used alone, in combination with one another, or in combination with various other devices.
The present invention provides various methods and device for attaching soft tissue to bone. In one embodiment, an anchor insertion device is provided and includes a housing having an outer shaft extending distally therefrom and configured to receive an anchor insertion assembly, and a suture retaining element formed on the housing and configured to retain a suture coupled to a suture anchor mated to a distal end of an anchor insertion assembly. A handle assembly is slidably coupled to the housing and it is configured to engage an anchor insertion assembly disposed through the outer shaft and the housing such that the handle assembly and anchor insertion assembly are slidably movable relative to the housing and outer shaft to thereby deploy a suture anchor coupled to a distal end of the anchor insertion assembly.
In another embodiment, a suture anchor assembly is provided and includes a suture anchor having an insert with a suture mated thereto, and a sleeve disposable over the insert and configured to lock the suture between the insert and the sleeve. The suture anchor assembly can also include a deployment device having a housing with a suture tensioning element mated to the suture for tensioning the suture between the insert and the suture tensioning element, and an actuation mechanism movably coupled to the housing and having a distal end mated to the sleeve such that the actuation mechanism is configured to position the sleeve over the insert while the suture remains fixed between the tensioning element and the insert. The suture anchor assembly can also include an inserter shaft extending through the housing and having a proximal end coupled to the actuation mechanism and a distal end coupled to the sleeve. In certain exemplary embodiments, the inserter shaft can extend through an outer shaft extending distally from the housing. The suture anchor assembly can also include a pusher slidably disposed around the inserter shaft and located between a distal end of the outer shaft and a proximal end of the insert. In other embodiments, the actuation mechanism can be slidably movable relative to the housing such that the actuation mechanism and anchor insertion assembly slide relative to the housing and outer shaft to position the sleeve over the insert. The actuation mechanism can be, for example, a handle assembly having a trigger pivotally coupled thereto such that pivoting movement of the trigger is effective to move the handle assembly relative to the housing.
Exemplary methods for deploying a suture anchor are also provided. In one embodiment, the method can include inserting a suture anchor coupled to a distal end of a deployment device into bone, coupling suture between an inner component of the suture anchor and a suture retaining element located on a housing of the deployment device, and actuating a handle assembly to position an outer component of the suture anchor over the inner component of the suture anchor thereby locking the suture between the inner and outer components. The housing and inner component can remain in a substantially fixed position relative to one another as the handle assembly is actuated such that tension applied to the suture extending between the inner component and the housing remains substantially fixed. In certain exemplary embodiments, the handle assembly can slide proximally relative to the housing when the handle assembly is actuated. Actuating the handle assembly can include pivoting a trigger coupled to the handle assembly. In another embodiment, the suture retaining element can be a suture tensioning assembly, and the method can include actuating the suture tensioning assembly to tension the suture between the suture tensioning assembly and the inner component of the suture anchor.
The present invention also provides various suture anchor devices. In one embodiment, a suture anchor device is provided having an insert with a sidewall extending between leading and trailing ends and defining an inner lumen extending through the insert, and at least one bore formed in the sidewall and configured to receive a suture therethrough. The suture anchor device also includes an outer sleeve disposable over the insert and configured to lock a suture between the outer sleeve and the insert. The insert and the outer sleeve can include a snap-lock engagement mechanism formed there between for locking the insert and the outer sleeve together.
FIG. 1 generally illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a suture anchor deployment device 10 having an insertion assembly 100 coupled thereto and extending therefrom, and having a suture anchor 200 coupled to a distal end of the insertion assembly 100. The deployment device 10, which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, generally includes a housing 20 having an outer shaft 22 extending distally therefrom for receiving the insertion assembly 100, and a handle assembly 30 coupled to the housing 20 and configured to engage the insertion assembly 100. The handle assembly 30 and the insertion assembly 100 can move together relative to the housing 20 and outer shaft 22 to deploy a suture anchor 200 coupled to a distal end of the anchor insertion assembly 100. While the type of movement between the housing 20 and the handle assembly 30 can vary, in an exemplary embodiment the housing 20 and handle assembly 30 are slidably movable relative to one another. FIG. 3 illustrates the housing 20 and handle assembly 30 separated from one another. As shown, the handle assembly 30 can include one or more slots formed in a sidewall thereof. FIG. 3 illustrates one slot 32 formed in the sidewall thereof, however a second slot can be formed in the opposed sidewall. The housing 20 can include one or more corresponding bores formed therein and each bore can receive a pin configured to be slidably disposed within a slot. FIG. 3 illustrates a bore 22 a formed in a sidewall of the housing 20 and having a pin 22 b disposed therein. The pin(s) and slot(s) will thus guide sliding movement between the housing 20 and handle assembly 30 in proximal and distal directions. In an exemplary embodiment, actuation of the handle assembly 30 causes the housing 20 to move in a proximal direction and/or the handle assembly 30 to move in a distal direction.
The housing 20 of the deployment device 10, which is shown in FIGS. 2-5, can have a variety of configurations, but in the illustrated embodiment the housing 20 generally includes first and second opposed housing halves 20a, 20b (FIG. 4) that come together to define a generally elongate, hollow body. The housing 20 can, however, be formed from a single component, or from multiple components. An interior portion of the housing 20 can seat a portion of the handle assembly 30, which will be discussed in more detail below. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 20 and handle assembly 30 are configured to slidably move relative to one another in a proximal-distal direction, as previously described above. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the proximal end 20 p of the housing 20 can include an opening 21 a formed therein for slidably receiving a proximal end 30 p of the handle assembly 30. The opening 21 a can be formed by a cut-out formed in the proximal wall of each housing half 20 a, 20 b. The housing 20 can also include a generally elongate, hollow outer shaft 22 that extends through an opening 21 b formed in a distal end 20 d of the housing 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer shaft 22 is fixedly coupled to the housing 20 such that it moves in conjunction with the housing 20. The particular mating location can vary. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the outer shaft 22 is configured to be fixedly captured between one of the housing halves, i.e., housing half 20 b, and a clamp member 24 which is fastened to the housing half 20 b at a distal end 20 d of the housing 20. This allows the outer shaft 22 to move with the housing 20 without interfering with sliding movement of the handle assembly 30 relative to the housing 20.
FIG. 5 illustrates one exemplary suture retaining element, in the form of a suture tensioning assembly 26. In general, the suture tensioning assembly 26 includes a tensioning wheel 27 that is effective to receive a suture there around such that rotation of the tensioning wheel 27 increases or decreases tension applied to the suture. The illustrated tensioning wheel 27 is in the form a cylindrical housing 27 a having a knob 27 b formed on one end thereof for grasping and rotating the tensioning wheel 27, and having a central shaft 27 c extending therethrough. The central shaft 27 c is rotatably disposed through the housing 20, and in particular through one of the housing halves, i.e., housing half 20 b. As shown in FIG. 5, the device includes a bushing 12 that sits within an opening 14 formed in the housing half 20 b, and that rotatably seats a portion of the tensioning wheel 27. The bushing 12 is mated to the housing half 20 b using a spring clip 16 disposed there around and positioned on an interior portion of the housing half 20 b. The suture tensioning assembly 26 can also include a mechanism for maintaining the tensioning wheel 27 in a desired rotated position. As shown in FIG. 5, the tensioning assembly 26 includes a pawl and ratchet mechanism that is coupled to the shaft 27 c of the tensioning wheel 27. The ratchet mechanism is in the form of a wheel 28a that is disposed around the shaft 27 c and that includes teeth 28 b formed there around, and a pawl 29 a that rotatably mates to the housing half 20 b, e.g., using a post 29 b formed on an interior of the housing half 20 b, and that includes an arm 29 c that is configured to engage the teeth 28 b formed around the ratchet 28 a. In use, a length of suture can be wrapped around the tensioning wheel 27 to mate the suture to the wheel 27. When the wheel 27 is rotated in a direction that applies tension to the suture, i.e., further winds the suture around the wheel 27, the pawl 29 a will engage the teeth 28 b on the ratchet 28 a to prevent the wheel 27 from rotating in an opposite direction, thus maintaining the wheel 27 in the desired rotated position and maintaining the tension on the suture.
The suture tensioning assembly 26 can also include a mechanism to release the tension applied to the suture, i.e., to release the pawl 29 a from engagement with the teeth 28 b on the ratchet 28 a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the suture tensioning assembly 26 includes a cam 23 that is disposed around the ratchet 28 a and that is configured to cam the pawl 29 a out of engagement with the ratchet 28 a to allow free rotation of the tensioning wheel 27. The cam 23 can include a lever 23 a formed thereon and extending through a portion of the housing 20 to allow the user to effect movement of the cam 23. Pivotal movement of the cam 23 relative to the housing 20 can release the pawl 29 a from the ratchet 28 a. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the cam and ratchet mechanism can have a variety of other configurations. Moreover, various other suture tensioning or retaining elements can be used.
FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a suture retaining element. In general, FIG. 6A illustrates a deployment device 10′ having a housing 20′ and a handle assembly 30′. In this embodiment, the suture retaining element 26′ is disposed on a back end of the housing 20′, and it is configured to trap a suture, rather than have the suture would there around. In particular, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the components are similar to the previous embodiment however rotation of the cam 23′ causes a moving plate 24′ to slide toward a stationary plate 25′ to trap a suture positioned there between. Once a suture is trapped, the tensioning wheel 27′ can be rotated to adjust the tension applied to the suture.
The stationary member 32 can have various shapes and sizes, but in one embodiment, as shown, it has a generally elongate hollow, rectangular housing portion 32 a and a stationary handle 32 b that extends from the housing portion 32 a and that is configured to be grasped by a user. The housing portion 32 a is effective to receive and mate to the inserter shaft 110 of the insertion assembly 100 (FIG. 10). In particular, the housing portion 32 a can include an opening 33 formed in a distal end 32d thereof for receiving a proximal end of the inserter shaft. The housing portion 32 a can also include a mating element formed thereon for removably engaging the inserter shaft. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing portion 32 a includes a locking member 36 that is disposed through an opening 37 formed in a top surface of the housing portion 32 a, and that includes a bore 36 b formed therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the inserter shaft. The illustrated locking member 36 is in the form of a generally square or rectangular shaped member, however the locking mechanism can have various other shapes and sizes. The locking member 36 can also be biased, e.g., using a spring disposed within the housing portion 32 a, to a locked position such that it will grasp and engage a notch formed in the proximal end of the inserter shaft to prevent the inserter shaft from being removed. In order to release the inserter shaft from the housing portion 32 a, the locking member 36 can be depressed to overcome the biasing force, allowing free sliding movement of the inserter shaft relative thereto. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of other techniques can be used to mate the inserter shaft to the housing portion.
As indicated above, the handle assembly 30 can also include a trigger 34 that is movably coupled to the stationary portion 32 a. While the type of movement of the trigger 34 can vary, in one embodiment the trigger 34 is pivotally coupled to the stationary portion 32 a such that it moves between an open position in which the trigger 34 is spaced apart from the stationary handle 32 b, as shown in FIG. 8, and a closed position in which the trigger 34 is positioned adjacent to the stationary handle 32 b. In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger 34 is pivotally mated to the stationary portion 32 a by a pivot pin 35. The trigger 34 can also be effective to engage the portion of the outer shaft 22 that extends through the housing portion 32 a of the stationary member 32 such that movement of the trigger 34 between the open and closed positions is effective to move the outer shaft 22 between proximal and distal positions relative to the handle assembly 30. As a result, the housing 20, which is coupled to the outer shaft 22, will move with the outer shaft 22, thus allowing a suture anchor to be deployed, as will be discussed in more detail below. While various techniques can be used to allow the trigger 34 to engage and slidably move the outer shaft 22 within the housing portion 32 a of the handle assembly 30, in an exemplary embodiment the handle assembly 30 includes a gear mechanism disposed therein. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the gear mechanism is in the form of a plurality of teeth 37 a formed on a terminal end 34 t of the trigger 34 and effective to engage corresponding teeth 37 b formed on a proximal portion of the outer shaft 22, as will be discussed below. As the trigger 34 pivots from the open position to the closed position, the teeth 37 a on the trigger 34 will engage the teeth 37 b on the outer shaft 22 to move the outer shaft 22 in a distal direction relative to the handle assembly 30. The housing 20 (not shown) of the device 10 will thus move distally with the outer shaft 22. Or, stated another way, the handle assembly 30 and the inserter shaft (not shown) coupled thereto will move in a proximal direction relative to the housing 20 and outer shaft 22.
The trigger 34 can also be biased to the open position, such that a force must be applied to the trigger 34 to overcome the biasing force and move the trigger to the closed position, and such that release of the trigger 34 from the closed position will allow the trigger 34 to automatically return to the open position. While various techniques can be used to bias the trigger 34 to the open position, in one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a spring 38 can be disposed between a proximal portion of the outer shaft 22 and a portion of the housing portion 32 a of the stationary member 32 on the handle assembly 30. In particular, the handle assembly 30 can include a hollow elongate member or barrel 40 disposed therein and configured to slidably seat a proximal housing 42 formed on or disposed around a proximal portion of the outer shaft 22. The spring 38 can be disposed within the hollow barrel 40, and a portion of the spring 38 can be positioned around a portion of the proximal housing 42 of the outer shaft 22. The teeth 37b, previously discussed above, can be formed on an inferior or bottom surface of the proximal housing 42 on the outer shaft 22, and the teeth 37 b can be positioned proximal of the spring 38. Thus, the spring 38 will extend between the distal-most tooth of the proximal housing 42 of the outer shaft 22 and a distal end wall of the barrel 40, as shown in FIG. 8. The barrel 40 can also include an elongate slot or opening formed in an inferior or bottom surface thereof for receiving the terminal end 34 t of the trigger 34.
When the trigger 34 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the proximal housing 42 on the outer shaft 22 will be moved distally, thus compressing the spring 38 between the proximal housing 42 and the distal end of the barrel 40. As a result, when the trigger 34 is released, the spring 38 will force the proximal housing 42 on the outer shaft 22 back to the proximal position, thereby causing the teeth 37 b on the proximal housing 42 of the outer shaft 22 to engage the teeth 37 a on the trigger 34 and pivot the trigger 34 back to the open position. As further shown in FIG. 7, the proximal housing 42 can also include a slot 42 a formed on a superior or top surface thereof for receiving a pin 42 b extending through the housing portion 32 a of the stationary member 32 on the handle assembly 30. The pin 42 b and slot 42 a will allow the proximal housing 42 on the outer shaft 22 to slidably move proximally and distally within the housing portion 32 a of the stationary member 32, while preventing rotation thereof to keep the teeth 37 b on the proximal housing 42 in alignment with the teeth 37 a on the trigger 34. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of other techniques can be used to bias the trigger 34 to an open or a closed position, as may be desired.
The insertion assembly 100 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 9A-10. As shown, the insertion assembly 100 generally includes an elongate shaft, referred to herein as an inserter shaft 110, and a pusher 120 disposed around a portion of the inserter shaft 110. The inserter shaft 110 includes a proximal end 110 a that is adapted to mate to the stationary portion 32 of the handle assembly 30, as discussed above, and a distal end 110 b that is adapted to mate to one component of a suture anchor 200, such as a sleeve 220 as will be discussed in more detail below. While various mating techniques can be used, in one embodiment the distal end 110 b of the inserter shaft 110 can include threads 112 formed around a portion thereof and adapted to engage corresponding threads formed within the sleeve 220. The distal end 110 b can also include a pointed or sharpened tip 114 adapted to facilitate penetration of the insertion assembly 100 into bone.
As indicated above, the inserter shaft 110 can also include a pusher 120 disposed around a portion thereof. The pusher 120 can have various configurations, but in an exemplary embodiment it is configured to be positioned between a distal end 22 b (FIG. 8) of the outer shaft 22 of the deployment device 10 and a proximal end of an anchor, such as a proximal end of an insert 210 of anchor 200 as will be discussed below. The pusher 120 is also preferably slidably movable along a longitudinal axis of the inserter shaft 110. This will allow the pusher 120 to advance the insert 210 into the sleeve 220, or alternatively to maintain the insert 210 in a fixed position as the sleeve 210 is pulled proximally there over. In other words, the insert 210, pusher 120, outer shaft 22, and housing 20 will move in coordination with one another relative to the sleeve 220, inserter shaft 110, and handle assembly 30 to position the insert 210 within the sleeve 220.
As best shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, in one exemplary embodiment the pusher 120 can be in the form of an elongate, hollow tube that is slidably disposed around a distal portion of the inserter shaft 110. An elongate slot or cut-out 121 can be formed in the pusher 120, and a pin 122 can be disposed therethrough and mated to the inserter shaft 110 to allow slidable movement of the pusher 120 relative to the inserter shaft 110 while preventing rotation of the pusher 120 around the inserter shaft 110. Other techniques can optionally be used to slidably mate the pusher 120 to the inserter shaft 110, or alternatively the pusher 120 can merely float around the inserter shaft 110. When the pusher 120 is mated to the inserter shaft 110, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pusher 120 will be positioned just proximal to the insert 210 such that the distal end 120 d of the pusher 120 abuts against the insert 210.
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the outer sleeve 220 of the suture anchor 200 can have a generally elongate hollow configuration with a leading distal end 220 b and a proximal trailing end 220 a. The distal end 220 b can have various shapes and sizes, and it can include a bone-penetrating tip formed thereon, or alternatively it can include a bore or opening 221 formed therein as shown for allowing the tip of the inserter shaft 110 (FIG. 10) to penetrate therethrough and guide the distal end 220 b of the sleeve 220 into a bone tunnel. As further shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the distal end 220 b can also be tapered to facilitate insertion into a bone tunnel. The proximal portion of the sleeve 220 can also vary in shape and size, but in an exemplary embodiment the proximal portion has a generally cylindrical shape for receiving the insert 210 therein. As further shown in FIG. 14, and as previously indicated, the sleeve 220 can also include threads 222 formed therein for mating with corresponding threads formed on the inserter shaft. While the location of the threads 222 can vary, in the illustrated embodiment the threads 222 are located just proximal to the tapered distal end 220 b of the sleeve 220. The sleeve 220 can also include other features that will be discussed in more detail below.
The insert 210 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 15 and 16, and as shown the insert 210 can have a generally elongate cylindrical configuration with a distal leading end 210 b and a proximal trailing end 210 a. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the insert 210 has an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the sleeve 220 such that the insert 210 will deformably expand the sleeve 220 upon insertion of the insert 210 therein. This will allow the sleeve 220 to be embedded within the bone tunnel, thereby anchoring the suture anchor 220 in the bone tunnel. As further shown in FIG. 15, the insert 210 can also have a flared proximal end 210 a that has an increased outer diameter as compared to the remainder of the insert 210. The flared proximal end 210 a can be effective to expand the proximal trailing end 220 a of the sleeve 220 to further facilitate engagement between the sleeve 220 and the bone tunnel within which the sleeve 220 is disposed.
As further shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the insert 210 can also be hollow to allow the inserter shaft 110 (FIG. 10) to extend therethrough and to mate with the sleeve 220, which in this embodiment is positioned distal of the insert 210. As indicated above, the insert 210 is also preferably configured to mate to a suture for anchoring the suture to bone. While the insert 210 can include various features for mating with a suture, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 the insert 210 includes first and second thru-bores 214 a, 214 b formed therein and configured to receive the suture therethrough. The use of two thru-bores 214 a, 214 b is advantageous as it allows the suture to extend into the first thru-bore 214 a and out of the second thru-bore 214 b such that a suture loop is formed and two trailing ends of the suture extend from the anchor 200.
Referring back to FIG. 11, the suture anchor 200 is shown mated to the insertion assembly 100. In particular, the inserter shaft 110 extends through the insert 210 and is threadably mated to the sleeve 220 such that the distal-most tip 114 of the inserter shaft 110 extends through the opening 221 in the distal end 220 b of the sleeve 220. The insert 210 is thus positioned just proximal of the sleeve 220 such that the leading distal end 210 b of the insert 210 is positioned adjacent to or in contact with the trailing proximal end 220 a of the sleeve 220. The protrusions on the proximal end of the sleeve 220 can seat within the detents or bores formed around the distal end of the insert 210 to radially or rotationally align the insert 210 and the sleeve 220. The proximal end 210 a of the insert 210 can be positioned adjacent to or in contact with the distal end 120 d of the pusher 120 such that the cut-out or notch in the proximal end of the insert 210 extends into and is aligned with the cut-out or notch in the distal end of the pusher 120. FIG. 11 also illustrates a suture threaded through the first and second thru-bores to form a suture loop on one side of the anchor. Two trailing ends 300 a, 300 b of the suture 300 extend proximally from the suture anchor 200.
As shown in FIG. 17 and as previously described herein, the insertion assembly 100, with the suture anchor 200 mated thereto, can be mated to a deployment device, such as device 10, for deploying the suture anchor 200 into bone. The trailing ends 300 a, 300 b of the suture 300 can be mated to the suture tensioning element 26 by winding the trailing ends 300 a, 300 b around the tensioning wheel 27, and optionally rotating the tensioning wheel 27 to increase or decrease a tension applied to the suture 300, as may be desired. The suture 300 thus remains taught between the suture anchor 200 and the suture tensioning element 26.
Alternatively, the suture anchor 200 can be implanted by penetrating or “stabbing” the sharp distal end of the inserter shaft 110 into soft tissue (or the like) to be anchored, and positioning it against bone to which the soft tissue is to be anchored. The trailing ends 300 a, 300 b of the suture 300 will remain attached to the suture tensioning element 26. The soft tissue may alternatively be gripped by another instrument (e.g., forceps or the like) and moved into position against the bone whereby the inserter shaft 110 can be forced distally through the tissue and into the bone. Again, it will be appreciated that, as this occurs, suture anchor 200 will be carried into the bone in its pre-deployed configuration, due to the threaded engagement between the sleeve 220 and the inserter shaft 110. In fact, the distal end of the inserter shaft 110 and the tapered distal end of the sleeve 220 will cooperate with one another so as to force an opening in the soft tissue and the bone, without any need for pre-drilling. As indicated above, the bone can, however, optionally be pre-drilled if desired, or a mallet or other device can be used to facilitate insertion into bone.
The inserter shaft 110 can be driven into the bone to various depths, but in an exemplary embodiment the inserter shaft 110 is driven into bone until the proximal trailing end of the insert 210 is approximately even with the outer surface of the bone. More preferably, the inserter shaft 110 can be driven deeper into bone, and the distal end 120 d of the pusher 120 can act as a stop shoulder that limits the penetration depth of the inserter shaft 110. In other embodiments, markings (not shown) may be placed on the outer surface of the inserter shaft 110 so that proper depth penetration can be achieved.
Next, the trigger 34 on the deployment device 10 can be moved from the open position, shown in FIG. 1, to the closed position, shown in FIG. 17 by squeezing the trigger 34. As the trigger 34 pivots to the closed position, the handle assembly 30 will slide proximally relative to the housing 20, thus pulling the inserter shaft 110 proximally relative to the outer shaft 22. The housing 20, outer shaft 22, pusher 120, and insert 210 will remain in a substantially fixed position as the handle assembly 30, inserter shaft 110, and sleeve 220 move proximally. Thus, the suture 300 extending between the anchor 200 and the suture tensioning element 26 will remain fixed so as to not interfere with the tension applied to the suture 300. The tension thus remains unchanged. As the sleeve 220 is pulled proximally over the insert 210, the interference fit between the sleeve 220 and the insert 210 will trap and lock the suture 300 there between, and the insert 210 will be locked within the sleeve 220 using the snap-fit engagement previously discussed. The insert 210 can also cause at least a portion of the sleeve 220 to expand, e.g., the proximal portion, causing the sleeve 220 to engage the bone tunnel. Once fully deployed, the inserter shaft 110 can be unscrewed from the sleeve 220 and removed, leaving the suture anchor 200 behind. The trailing ends 300 a, 300 b of the suture 300 that extend from the suture anchor 200 and through the soft tissue can be knotted, e.g., using a knotting element, or otherwise fastened to secure the soft tissue to the bone.
actuating a handle assembly to draw the outer component of the suture anchor over the inner component of the suture anchor while maintaining the inner component in a fixed position within the bone tunnel thereby locking the suture between the inner and outer components, and wherein tension applied to the suture extending between the inner component and the housing remains substantially fixed, and expanding at least a portion of the outer component to engage the bone tunnel and lock the outer component within the bone tunnel.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly slides proximally relative to the housing when the handle assembly is actuated.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein actuating the handle assembly comprises pivoting a trigger coupled to the handle assembly.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the suture retaining element comprises a suture tensioning assembly, and the method further comprises actuating the suture tensioning assembly to tension the suture between the suture tensioning assembly and the inner component of the suture anchor.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is located at a proximal end of the deployment device, and coupling the suture comprises coupling the suture between the inner component and the suture retaining member located at the proximal end of the deployment device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the suture anchor into the bone tunnel comprises inserting the outer component of the suture anchor into the bone tunnel at a location in the bone tunnel distal to the inner component of the suture anchor.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the outer component slides proximally relative to the housing when the handle assembly is actuated.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly and the outer component slidably move relative to the housing when the handle assembly is actuated.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the inner component is held in the fixed position within the bone tunnel via an abutment adjacent the distal end of the deployment device which remains a fixed distance from the housing during the step of actuating the handle assembly.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the inner component has a tubular outer surface and the outer component has a tubular inner surface and wherein the step of locking the suture between the inner and outer components comprises compressing the suture between the inner component outer surface and the outer component inner surface.
actuating a handle assembly to slide the handle assembly relative to a housing of the deployment device, thereby mating a tubular second component of the suture anchor with the first component of the suture anchor to lock the suture between the first and second components while maintaining the position of the first component relative to the bone tunnel and maintaining substantially fixed tension in the suture, and expanding at least a portion of the second component to engage the bone tunnel.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second component is pulled over the first component when the handle assembly is actuated.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein tensioning the suture comprises coupling the suture between the first component of the suture anchor and a suture retaining element located on a housing of the deployment device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the suture retaining element, first component, and suture remain in a substantially fixed position as the handle assembly is slid relative to the housing.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the suture retaining element comprises a suture tensioning assembly and wherein the method further comprises tensioning the suture between the first component of the suture anchor and the suture tensioning assembly.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the suture retaining element comprises a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and tensioning the suture comprises rotating the wheel.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the housing is located at a proximal end of the deployment device, and tensioning the suture comprises tensioning the suture between the first component and the housing.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein tensioning the suture comprises tensioning the suture between the first component and a proximal end of the deployment device.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the handle assembly and the second component slide proximally relative to the housing when the handle assembly is actuated.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the second component slidably moves relative to the housing when the handle assembly is actuated.
21. The method of claim 11, wherein inserting the suture anchor into the bone tunnel comprises inserting the second component of the suture anchor into the bone tunnel before inserting the first component of the suture anchor into the bone tunnel.
22. The method of claim 11, further comprises actuating a release mechanism coupled to the housing to release tension applied to the suture after the suture is locked between the first and second components.
Co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 11/462,419, filed Aug. 4, 2006.
European Search Report Application No. 07253061.1 dated Mar. 10, 2008.
European Search Report Application No. 07253063.7 dated Nov. 29, 2007.
Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2007-203520, issued Jun. 5, 2012 (English translation).
Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2007-203527, issued Jun. 5, 2012 (English translation).
Japanese Official Action for JP Application No. 2001-351434, prepared Oct. 10, 2007.
JP Application No. 2001-351434 Office Action dated Oct. 12, 2007.
Supplementary Partial EP Search Report for App. No. 00950502.5 dated May 16, 2008.

References: Application No. 07253061
 Application No. 07253063
 Application No. 2007
 Application No. 2007
 Application No. 2001
 Application No. 2001