Abstract:
An apparatus and method for delivering biologic material to a bone hole includes a delivery structure defining a proximal end and a distal end. The delivery structure includes a first longitudinal member defining a first cavity and extending between the distal and proximal end. A second longitudinal member is disposed around the first longitudinal member and extends between the distal and proximal end. The first and second longitudinal members define a second cavity therebetween. The first cavity is adapted to receive a flexible member therethrough. The second cavity is adapted to receive the biologic material and deliver the biologic material out of the distal end into the bone hole. The first longitudinal member precludes the biologic material from contacting the flexible member while the biologic material is delivered to the bone hole.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to suture anchor implantation and more particularly to an assembly for delivering biologic material around a suture anchor implanted in a bone hole. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is often necessary to secure soft tissues, tendons and ligaments to bone during orthopedic surgical procedures in both human and animal patients. One way to attach soft tissue to a bone is to implant an anchor member into a hole formed in the bone. A suture strand is secured to the anchor member and, thus, is available for assisting in the attachment of soft tissues, tendons and ligaments to the bone. 
     Sometimes it is necessary to locate biologic material around the anchor member in the bone hole to enhance the holding ability of the anchor member in the bone hole. In doing so, it may be challenging to locate the biologic material into the bone hole while keeping the suture strand extending from the anchor member away from contact with the biologic material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for delivering biologic material to a bone hole includes a delivery structure defining a proximal end and a distal end. The delivery structure includes a first longitudinal member defining a first cavity and extending between the distal and proximal end. A second longitudinal member is disposed around the first longitudinal member and extends between the distal and proximal end. The first and second longitudinal members define a second cavity therebetween. The first cavity is adapted to receive a flexible member therethrough. The second cavity is adapted to receive the biologic material and deliver the biologic material out of the distal end into the bone hole. The first longitudinal member precludes the biologic material from contacting the flexible member while the biologic material is delivered to the bone hole. 
     According to other features, at least one support member extends between the first and second longitudinal members for maintaining the first and second longitudinal members in the offset relationship. The second longitudinal member defines a port for receiving the biologic material. A plunger is slidably disposed in the delivery structure and communicates with the second cavity. The plunger is operable to urge the biologic material toward the distal end and out of the distal end into the bone hole. 
     A method for implanting an anchor and delivering biologic material into a bone hole includes coupling a flexible member to an anchor. The anchor is positioned in the bone hole. A protective barrier is located relative to the flexible member. The biologic material is delivered around the bone hole wherein the protective barrier substantially precludes the biologic material from contacting the flexible member. 
     According to other features locating the protective barrier includes locating the flexible member through a first cavity defined by a first longitudinal member. The method further includes placing the biologic material into a second cavity defined between the first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member. Placing the biologic material into the second cavity includes injecting the biologic material through a port defined on the second longitudinal member. Delivering the biologic material includes actuating a plunger slidably disposed within the second cavity toward the bone hole whereby the biologic material is forcibly expelled into the bone hole. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of the apparatus for implanting a suture anchor and delivering biologic material according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the delivery structure and plunger of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  shown cooperating with a delivery device for delivering biologic material to the apparatus; 
         FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line  5 A- 5 A of  FIG. 2  shown delivering biologic material into a bone hole around a suture anchor; and 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of an anchor and biologic material delivered to a bone hole according to additional features. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     Referring to the drawings, an apparatus for implanting a suture anchor and delivering biologic material is shown and generally identified at reference  10 . The apparatus  10  generally includes a delivery structure  12  having a distal end  14  for locating with a bone hole B of a bone  15  and a proximal end  16  for receiving the biologic material  18  thereat ( FIG. 5A ). A plunger  20  slidably communicates with the delivery structure  12  to urge the biologic material  18  toward the distal end  14 . The delivery structure  12  according to the present teachings is operable to cooperate with an anchor member  26  ( FIG. 5A ) and suture  30  coupled to and extending from the anchor member  26 . Specifically, as will be described in greater detail herein, the delivery structure  12  facilitates injection of the biologic material  18  around the anchor member  26  in the bone hole B while protecting the suture  30  from contact with the biologic material  18  during injection. The biologic material  18  may comprise a biocompatible adhesive or sealant including homopolymers and copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone, lactide, glycolide, para-dioxanone and trimethylene carbonate or other adhesive composition that is biocompatible. The polymers may be blended with synthetic calcium containing bone regenerating materials such as hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphates and bioactive glasses. 
     The delivery structure  12  generally includes a first or inner longitudinal member  34  defining an inner cavity  36  extending between the distal and proximal ends  14  and  16  and a second or outer longitudinal member  44  disposed around the inner longitudinal member  34  and extending between the distal and proximal ends  14  and  16 . The inner and outer longitudinal members  34  and  44  are offset a predetermined distance by supports  46  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) extending between the inner and outer longitudinal members  34  and  44 , respectively. 
     The inner and outer longitudinal members  34  and  44  define an outer cavity  48  therebetween. The inner and outer longitudinal members  34  and  44  are illustrated as tubular members having circular cross sections and defining an annular space at the outer cavity  48 . As such, the detailed discussion herein is directed to longitudinal members defining circular cross sections. It is contemplated, however, that the longitudinal members may comprise any cross sectional shape, such as, but not limited to rectangular and oval. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3-5A , the distal end  14  of the delivery structure  12  provides an annular shoulder portion  50  formed on the outer longitudinal member  44 . The shoulder portion  50  defines an annular ledge  52  and a radial wall  54 . The shoulder portion  50  provides a relief for the delivery structure  12  to locate properly with respect to the bone hole B during injection of the biologic material  18 . The annular space defined between the radial wall  54  and the inner longitudinal member  34  defines an insert portion  58  ( FIG. 5A ). As will be described, the insert portion  58  is adapted to nest partially into the bone hole B while the shoulder portion  50  rests around the surface surrounding the bone hole B. 
     An inlet port  60  is incorporated on the outer longitudinal member  44  for delivering the biologic material  18  into the outer cavity  48 . The biologic material  18  may be introduced into the outer cavity  48  at the inlet port  60  by a delivery device  64  such as a syringe  66  and plunger  68  assembly. It is appreciated that the biologic material  18  may be introduced into the outer cavity  48  by any other suitable method. For example, the biologic material  18  may be introduced at the opening  70  ( FIG. 1 ) defined between the inner and outer longitudinal members  34  and  44  at the proximal end  16  of the delivery structure  12 . In that scenario, the plunger  20  would be withdrawn from the outer cavity  48  to allow the biologic material  18  to be introduced into the outer cavity  48 . Once the desired amount of biologic material  18  is introduced into the outer cavity  48 , the plunger  20  may be relocated into slidable communication with the delivery structure  12 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the plunger  20  will be described in greater detail. The plunger  20  generally defines a structure suitable for slidable communication within the outer cavity  48 . The plunger  20  includes a main body portion  76 , a handle member  80  formed on a proximal end  82  and an engagement portion  88  formed on a distal end  90 . The engagement portion  88  defines a geometry suitable for cooperating with the shoulder portion  50  defined by the outer longitudinal member  44 . The plunger  20  defines longitudinal wing portions  92  for providing structural support for the delivery structure  12  while slidably communicating with the inner and outer longitudinal members  34  and  44  respectively during operation. It is appreciated that while the plunger  20  is depicted as having four wing portions  92 , any number of wing portions  92  may be included. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 4-5B , a method for implanting a suture anchor  26  and biologic material  18  according to the present teachings will be described. At the outset, a bone hole B,  FIG. 5A  (or B′,  FIG. 5B ) is prepared in the bone  15 . As illustrated, a bone hole B having a consistent diameter, or a bone hole B′ having a reduced diameter at the bone surface is formed. The bone hole B′ illustrated in  FIG. 5B  defines a first inner diameter  94  and a second inner diameter  96 . The first inner diameter  94  presents a radial ledge  98  for providing increased retention properties for the anchor  26  within the bone hole B′. Specifically, an anchor  26  may be selected having ribs  104  extending radially around the anchor  26  a distance defining an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter  94  of the bone hole B′. 
     Once the bone hole B or B′ is prepared, the anchor  26  having a suture  30  extending therefrom is located with respect to the delivery structure  12 . In this regard, the suture  30  is passed through the inner cavity  36  of the delivery structure  12  and the anchor  26  is drawn into engagement with the distal end  14  of the delivery structure  12 . It is appreciated that while the suture  30  is shown passed through an opening at the proximal end  82  of the plunger  20 , the suture  30  may alternately be passed out of the plunger  20  between adjacent wing portions  92  near the distal end  90  of the plunger  20 . Next, the distal end  14  of the delivery structure  12  is located relative to the bone hole B or B′. Specifically, the insert portion  58  is located into a nesting relationship with the bone hole B or B′ while the shoulder portion  50  supports the delivery structure  12  into a substantially upright, stable position relative to the bone  15 . 
     At this point, the biologic material  18  is introduced into the outer cavity  48  of the delivery structure  12 . As previously described, one method for doing so is to inject the biologic material  18  into the outer cavity  48  via the port  60  formed on the outer longitudinal member  44 . Once the desired amount of biologic material  18  is injected into the outer cavity  48 , the delivery device  64  is removed from engagement with the outer longitudinal member  44 . Next, the plunger  20  is slidably actuated toward the bone hole B or B′ whereby the biologic material  18  is expelled from the distal end  14  of the delivery structure  12  and into the bone hole B or B′ around the anchor  26 . 
     The delivery structure  12  is subsequently removed from the bone hole B or B′ allowing the suture  30  to slidably retreat from the inner cavity  36  through the distal end  14  of the delivery structure  12 . At this point, the anchor  26  and biologic material  18  are located within the bone hole B or B′ and the suture  30 , free of biologic material  18 , may be used for its desired function. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5B , the anchor  26  is shown in an implanted position with respect to the bone hole B′. It is appreciated that a delivery structure  12  would be provided having an outer diameter compatible with the inner diameter  94  of the bone hole B′. It is also appreciated that the anchor  26  may be implanted into the bone hole B′ before utilizing the apparatus  10 . In this regard, the suture  30 , extending from a pre-installed anchor  26 , may be passed through the inner cavity  36  of the delivery structure  12 , the delivery structure located for communication with the bone hole B′, and biologic material  18  expelled into the bone hole B′ around the anchor  26 . 
     While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. 
     Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the Forgoing description and the appended claims.