JP2008536622A - Method and apparatus for attaching a suture - Google Patents

Abstract

  An apparatus and method for manipulating a cannula and attached needle to attach a suture. The cannula can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and a needle can be selectively attached and / or detached from the cannula. The cannula and needle may include complementary locking members that engage and allow sutures to be attached using the needle by manipulation of the cannula.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for attaching a suture.

  In surgical procedures, sutures are often attached to materials such as body tissue, artificial substitutes or other medical implants or devices, or combinations thereof. Various methods and devices have been developed for attaching sutures. For example, there are suturing devices for attaching sutures to body tissue or other material. One such device is the SMARTSTICH suture device sold by Opus Medical, San Juan Capistrano, California. This device can be used in arthroscopic techniques to attach a mattress stitch to the rotator cuff tendon when reattaching the tendon to the humerus. After fixing the tendon using a set of jaws that the device has, a pair of retractable needles are fired, the needles are passed through the tendons, the sutures are engaged, and the needles are retracted and sutures are passed through the tendons Pull out.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the humerus 1 and a portion of a rotator cuff tendon 2 usually attached to the distal end of the humerus. In one type of rotator cuff injury, the tendon 2 is separated from the humerus 1 or partially peeled, as schematically shown in FIG. In the case of such damage, the rotator cuff tendon can be reattached to the humerus 1 by suturing or other fixation, and the tendon can be reattached to the bone naturally by the normal healing action of the human body. One repair technique for reattaching the rotator cuff 2 to the humerus 1 includes fixing the anchor 101 with a helicopter between the joint 11 of the humerus 1 and the large humerus 12 of the humerus. It is. Using the above-described suturing device or the like, the suture 102 is fixed to the rotator cuff 2 and fixed to the anchor 101. Thereafter, the suture thread 102 is tensioned so that the rotator cuff 2 is held at a location close to the humerus 1. Thereafter, the rotator cuff 2 can again properly adhere to the humerus 1 in the body.

  In one aspect of the invention, the device includes a cannula having at least one lumen and configured and provided for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Such cannulas can be used in arthroscopic procedures, for example when performing shoulder or knee surgery. A needle having a tissue penetrating part adapted to carry a suture may be attached to the cannula. The suture can be attached to the material by manipulating the needle by movement of the cannula. One feature that may be provided in some embodiments is to provide an endoscopic camera within the cannula lumen to visualize the surgical site through the same cannula used to attach the suture, etc. It can be used for other additional purposes. Additionally / or other surgical instruments may be provided in the cannula, such as a grasping device used to hold the material in place while using the needle to attach the suture to the material.

  In one aspect of the invention, the needle may be selectively attached and / or detached from the cannula. For example, a complementary locking member may be included in the cannula and needle that engage and allow a suture to be attached using the needle by manipulating the cannula. The cannula can be used in minimally invasive procedures, and the cannula and needle can be engaged / separated as needed.

  Aspects of the invention provided cannula and needle construction that can be used to attach stitches to the rotator cuff during surgical repair. However, not all aspects of the present invention are limited to rotator cuff repair applications.

  The present invention is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth or illustrated herein below. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, the wordings and terms used herein are for purposes of explanation and should not be considered limiting.

  Various aspects of the invention are described below in the light of particular embodiments. For example, aspects of the present invention will be described for situations where rotator cuff repair is performed. However, it should be understood that aspects of the present invention are not necessarily limited to rotator cuff repair techniques, and are not limited to surgical techniques that operate on the shoulder. Rather, the various aspects of the invention can be used in any suitable surgical procedure. Also, aspects of the invention are described in procedures that include the formation of a passage through the bone, fixation of a suture within the passage, and the like. However, it will be appreciated that aspects of the present invention, such as those relating to cannulas and attached needles, can be used in any surgical procedure, such as a rotator cuff repair including the use of an anchor as shown in FIG.

  Various aspects of the invention can be used in open surgical procedures or non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopic procedures. Also, the various aspects of the present invention may be directed to any suitable body part, such as bone, muscle, skin, vasculature, digestive structure or other tissue, implant, mesh, or other medical device. Can be used in any suitable surgical or other procedure. Aspects of the invention can be used alone and / or in combination with any other aspect of the invention.

  In another aspect of the invention, a needle used to attach a suture to a material such as a rotator cuff tendon and / or an implant can engage a cannula such as an arthroscopic cannula. Thus, the suture can be attached by operating the needle by manipulating the cannula. The needle and cannula may have complementary locking members or be made so that the needle selectively engages the cannula. Thus, the cannula can be used as a standard arthroscopic cannula and can be engaged with a needle if necessary. Thereafter, a suture may be attached to the selected tissue using a needle and cannula.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a surgical repair according to an embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, for ease of reference and understanding, aspects of the invention have been described with respect to rotator cuff repair, but the aspects of the invention can be used for any surgical or other procedure, It may relate to any suitable body part, such as muscle, other tissues or combinations thereof, brain, medical implants or other devices. Accordingly, aspects of the invention are in no way limited to the specific embodiments and examples described herein.

  In this specific embodiment, the rotator cuff tendon 2 is fixed to the humerus 1 with a suture 3. The suture 3 is attached to the tendon 2 using a mattress stitch or other treatment and passed through the passage 5 formed in the humerus 1. In this embodiment, the passage 5 is formed by the intersecting first and second holes. As shown in FIG. 3, a first hole 51 is formed vertically from a first opening in or near the helicopter between the joint surface 11 and the large nodule 12 of the humerus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the second hole 52 is formed horizontally from the lateral position of the humerus 1. Using the suture fixing device 4 disposed adjacent to the second opening, the suture 3 is fixed at the second opening of the second hole. In the present embodiment, the first and second holes 51 and 52 are provided at substantially right angles. However, the first and second holes may be provided at any appropriate angle, and are collinear (that is, mutually 180 degree angle).

  A wire, other material or suture 3 is manipulated in the passage 5 to cut or crush the relatively soft cancellous bone of the humerus in the passage 5 so that the suture passes from the first opening to the first hole 51. And a relatively straight path between the second opening and the second hole 52 may be followed. Using a wire, the wire is passed through the passage 5 and is operated by pulling between the first opening and the second opening and pulling them out to each other, cutting or crushing the cancellous bone to make the suture 3 relatively straight A relatively straight path can be formed by “flossing” operations such as forming a track.

  When the surgeon determines the location of the first hole 51 in the passage 5, it is often considered to first determine the final position of the tissue relative to the bone. To do so, the surgeon attaches the suture to the tendon 2 and tensions the suture 3 (and thus the tendon 2), for example, based on the position of the tendon 2 relative to the bone at the time of tensioning, preferably in the first hole 51. Will try to determine the position.

  In one aspect of the invention, the use of a hook-type or a needle with a curved end is preferred. 4-6 illustrate an embodiment of a needle 6 having a hook-shaped tissue penetration 61 at the distal end in accordance with the present invention. In this specific embodiment, the tissue penetrating portion 61 of the needle 6 has a semicircular shape, and is provided at an angle such as 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the linear portion 62 of the needle 6. The needle 6 may be formed as a hollow tube so that the suture thread 3 can be passed through the needle 6. The suture may be loaded into the cavity of the needle 6 prior to the start of the surgical procedure, such as, for example, when manufacturing the needle or any suitable time, such as during a surgical procedure. In some cases, the suture may be inserted into the hollow portion of the needle 6 before forming the tissue penetrating portion 61 by, for example, forming a curved end shape by bending the tube.

  By making the needle 6, the distal end of the tissue penetrating portion 61 penetrates the upper surface of the tissue 2 as shown in FIG. 5 and then comes out of the bottom surface of the tissue 2, and then penetrates the tissue 2 upward as shown in FIG. The mattress stitch can be attached to the tissue 2 by rotating the needle so that it comes back to the upper surface as shown in FIGS. At this point, if the suture thread 3 extending from the distal end of the tissue penetrating portion 61 is caught with forceps or another grip device, the needle 6 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the needle 6 is disposed again as shown in FIG. -The suture 3 forming the stitch remains in the tissue 2 and remains. Of course, the needle 6 can be used to attach a suture to any material, such as the tissue including tendons shown here, artificial substitutes or other surgical implants. While passing the suture, tissue or other material may be held or manipulated in place by a grasping device or other device inserted into the cannula lumen. Tissue or other material may be held in place and manipulated by other devices such as grasping devices or clamps located outside the cannula.

  The tissue penetrating portion 61 of the needle 6 only needs to have any appropriate shape, and is provided on a plane that crosses the rotation axis of the tissue penetrating portion 61 at an arbitrary angle when a suture is attached to the tissue. Good. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, the tissue penetrating portion 61 has a semicircular shape on a plane of 90 degrees with respect to the rotation axis of the tissue penetrating portion 61 when the suture is attached. It does not have to have a semicircular shape, and may be any desired angle with respect to the rotation axis. For example, the tissue penetrating portion 61 may be provided so as to attach an inclined mattress stitch to the tissue 2. Furthermore, the needle 6 need not be used only to form mattress stitches, but may be used to form any suitable stitch type. Further, the tissue penetrating portion 61 of the needle 6 need not include a portion on a single plane. Instead, the tissue penetrating part 61 does not have to be on a single plane, such as having a corkscrew type or partially helical structure.

  In one aspect of the invention, all or part of the tissue repair procedure can be performed arthroscopically. In this case, as is well known, one or more cannulas may be provided in one or more portals formed in the patient to provide access to the surgical site. In one aspect of the invention, a needle used to attach a suture to tissue, such as needle 6 of FIG. 4, may be used for arthroscopic procedures. For example, the needle 6 may be fixed to the cannula so that the needle can be operated by manipulating the cannula.

  FIG. 7 shows a specific embodiment of the needle 6 secured to the cannula 7. Cannula 7 assists in placing the cannula in the portal, and / or inadvertent removal of the cannula from one or more valves, fluid pressure or suction opening, to prevent the flow of fluid through the cannula 7 Have any suitable features found in cannulas used in noninvasive or minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as helical threads on the cannula or other features that help prevent That's fine. Cannula 7 can be made for any type of procedure, such as an arthroscopic procedure.

  Needle 6 may be secured to cannula 7 in any suitable manner. For example, the needle 6 may be molded into the body of the cannula 7, inserted into the wall of the cannula, or secured by adhesive, welding, clamps, fasteners, occlusal channels, open channels or any other suitable device. Good. The proximal end of the needle 6 may terminate at any suitable point, such as the midpoint between the proximal end 71 and the distal end 72 of the cannula 7, as shown, or It is more preferable that it terminates at the position. Positioning the proximal end of the needle 6 proximal to the cannula 7 makes it easier for the user to access the suture 3 entering the proximal end of the needle 6. The needle 6 may be axially movable relative to the cannula so that the tissue penetrating portion 61 can be moved axially away from or near the distal end 72 of the cannula 7. Furthermore, although the needle 6 is shown as being disposed on the outer surface of the cannula 7, the needle 6 or at least a portion thereof can be molded into the cannula 7, placed within the lumen of the cannula, It can be placed in the wall or in a groove on the outer surface of the cannula. Although the needle 6 is shown as being made approximately straight along the cannula 7, the needle 6 is in any suitable state, such as following a helical trajectory around the outer surface of the cannula 7. It can be bent, curved or made.

  In one specific embodiment, the tissue penetrating portion 61 of the semicircular shaped needle 6 is provided relative to the cannula 7 such that the center point of the semicircle is on the central longitudinal axis 73 of the cannula lumen. That's fine. Thus, as the cannula 7 rotates about the central longitudinal axis 73, the tissue penetrating portion 61 can move in a circular or arcuate path around the axis 73. However, as a matter of course, the tissue penetrating portion 61 may be provided in any appropriate state with respect to the shaft 73. Further, the plane on which the tissue penetrating portion 61 is present may be provided at an arbitrary angle across the axis 73 (if any), and therefore, it is necessary to be provided at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the axis 73 as shown in FIG. Absent.

  In one aspect of the invention, the needle 6 can be removably engaged with the cannula 7 so that it can selectively engage and disengage with the cannula 7. For example, when using the cannula 7 during a surgical procedure, the needle 6 can be placed in the portal without being attached. At some point during the procedure, the needle 6 can be attached to the cannula 7 and the cannula 7 can be manipulated and the suture can be attached to the material using the needle 6 at the request of the surgeon. The needle 6 may be secured to the cannula while the cannula remains in the portal (eg, by inserting the needle 6 into the cannula lumen), or the cannula may be removed from the portal and the needle attached, It may be inserted into the portal.

  By attaching the needle to the cannula as described above, the cannula lumen can be used for other instruments, such as an endoscope, grasping device or other surgical instrument. However, if the needle is secured to a cylindrical plug that is inserted into the cannula lumen when the needle is engaged with the cannula and plugs all or part of the lumen, the cannula lumen is freed for other uses. There are also embodiments that are not possible.

  FIG. 8 shows one specific embodiment in which the needle 6 can be removably secured to the cannula 7. In this embodiment, the cannula 7 includes a dovetail groove 74 into which a portion of the needle 6 molded in the same shape is inserted. The complementary lock used for the cannula 7 and the needle 6 does not necessarily have the dovetail shape as shown in FIG. 8, and may have any appropriate structure. For example, the cannula 7 need only have an oval groove extending into the wall of the cannula 7, and the needle 6 need only have a complementary oval shape that engages the groove. Accordingly, the needle 6 is selectively secured to the cannula 7 such that rotation of the cannula 7 (e.g., about the longitudinal axis of the cannula lumen) or other manipulation manipulates the needle to attach the suture to the material. sell. The creation of a complementary lock between the needle 6 and the cannula 7 allows the axial movement of the needle 6 relative to the cannula 7 so that, for example, the tissue penetration 61 can be moved relative to the distal end 72 of the cannula 7. It may be a thing.

  FIG. 9 shows another embodiment in which the needle 6 is attached to the sleeve member 63 that has one or more complementary locking shapes that engage or engage with the complementary shapes on the cannula 7. In this embodiment, the complementary lock shape has a tooth or gear-like shape, but the complementary lock shape may be made in any suitable state. Thus, in this embodiment, the needle 6 may be secured to the cannula 7 by sliding the sleeve 63 over the distal end 72 of the cannula 7. Of course, instead of the sleeve 63 fitting over the cannula 7, the sleeve 63 may be fitted within the lumen of the cannula 7, if necessary, or within a slot within the cannula 7. May be.

  Once the suture is attached to the tissue such as the rotator cuff tendon, the tissue may be tensioned to determine the location of the opening of the first hole 51 formed in the bone. When performing a rotator cuff repair, the first hole 51 typically extends along the humerus 1 from the opening formed in the helicopter between the articular surface 11 and the great nodule 12 into the bone. The first hole 51 of the passage 5 is formed vertically from the upper and outer positions. This first hole 51 can be formed using a punch, a punch, such as a punch, a punch, or other suitable device. As with any other procedure, the first hole 51 may be formed in an upper and outer position using an arthroscopic portal or may be formed by open surgical procedures.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a guide device can be used to form the first and / or second holes in the passage (eg, to determine the starting point or opening position of the first and second holes). Use, used to orient the bone punch in making the hole, or used alone to form the first and / or second hole), or a material such as a suture or suture in the passage You can use a guide device to help you get into. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first guide member 81 can be fixed to the first hole 51. The first guide member 81 is one of the guide devices 8 used to guide the formation of the hole used to form the passage in the bone and / or guide the passage of suture or other material through the passage. Part. In the illustrated embodiment, the first hole 51 is formed in the vertical direction along the humerus 1 by, for example, drilling a hole by an arbitrary method. (Alternatively, the first guide member 81 may be press-fitted into the bone with a thousand or similar tools to form the first hole 51.) The first guide member 81 has the first guide member 81 as the first hole. Features that help secure the first guide member 81 relative to the first hole 51 may be included, such as a distal end that is threaded into the bone to a desired depth within 51. However, it will be appreciated that the distal end of the first guide member 81 need not be threaded and instead may be inserted into the first hole 51 without being threaded. Alternatively, the distal end of the first guide member 81 may be disposed adjacent to the outside of the first hole 51 so that the lumen of the first guide member 81 is aligned with the first hole 51. The first hole 51 may be formed deeper than necessary, for example, 0.5 cm deeper than the required hole depth. By over drilling the first hole 51, the first guide member 81 can be more freely disposed at a desired depth in the bone.

  As will be described in detail below, the first guide member 81 is provided via a reference structure 83 that is used to position the first and second guide members 81 and 82 relative to the passageway 5. That's fine. In this specific embodiment, the reference structure 83 is provided such that the first and second guide members 81 and 82 are disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other when engaged with the reference structure 83. Just do it. On the other hand, including providing the first and second guide members 81 and 82 to be collinear, the first and second guide members 81 and 82 are at any desired angle with respect to each other, Reference structure 83 may be provided in any suitable manner. Furthermore, it is only necessary to change the orientation of the first and second guide members 81 and 82 by making the reference structure 83 adjustable. For example, the arc-shaped connecting portion of the reference structure 83 can be adjusted in length so that, for example, one arc-shaped portion slides relative to the other arc-shaped portion to adjust the length of the connecting portion. You can make it as you can. Or, in addition, the engaging portions 84 and 85 of the reference structure 83 that engage with the first and second guide members 81 and 82 may be adjusted in direction with respect to the arc-shaped connecting portion. That is, the reference structure 83 may be provided in any suitable manner so that the orientation of the guide members 81 and 82 can be adjusted.

  In this specific embodiment, the engagement portions 84 and 85 include sleeves that receive at least a portion of the guide members 81 and 82. For example, guide members 81 and 82 may be received in a bore in the sleeve. The guide members 81 and 82 can be moved linearly along the longitudinal axis and rotationally about the longitudinal axis with respect to the engaging portions 84 and 85, but otherwise the range of movement is relatively limited. A sleeve may be provided. When a stop on the first guide member 81, such as a knob 811 on the proximal end of the guide member 81, contacts an engagement surface on the reference structure, such as a portion of the engagement portion 84, the second guide What is necessary is just to arrange | position with the reference structure 83 so that the longitudinal axis of the member 82 may pass the adjacent point of the most distal end of the 1st guide member 81. FIG. Thus, using the second guide member 82, the perforator 9 (e.g., drill, punch, stirrer or other bone drilling device) and the first hole 51 at a point adjacent the distal end of the first guide member 81. The use of the punch 9 can be guided to form the intersecting second holes 52. As described above, the guide member 82 guides the movement of the punch 9 by guiding the movement of the drill or punch inserted into the lumen of the guide member 82 in the figure, or the starting position of the punch 9. The starting position for forming the second hole can be guided, for example, by marking or determining, but otherwise it does not interact with the punch 9. By adjusting the depth of the first guide member 81 in the first hole 51, the place where the second hole 52 is formed can be adjusted to an appropriate position (for example, in the vertical direction in the figure). The surgeon can select where the second hole 52 is to be formed in the bone, for example, by screwing the first guide member 81 into or out of the first hole 51.

  In another embodiment, the second guide member 82 is pulled out of the engaging portion 85, so that the engaging portion 85 itself can function as a punch guide. In this specific embodiment, the engagement portions 84 and 85 are shown as relatively short cylindrical sleeves, but the engagement portions 84 and 85 may be provided in any suitable state, for example, more closely The humerus 1 may be extended so that the perforator 9 and / or the first and second guide members 81 and 82 can be guided better. Further, the first guide member 81 may be provided so as to be held by the engaging portion 84 so that it can be rotated about the vertical axis with respect to the reference structure 83, but cannot be moved in the axial direction. Thereby, when forming the 2nd hole 52, it can assist arrange | positioning the 1st guide member 81 and the reference structure 83 appropriately.

  When the second hole 52 is formed, a stopper on the second guide member 82 such as a knob 821 at the proximal end of the guide member 82 contacts an engagement surface on the engagement portion 85 such as a part of the sleeve. Until then, the second guide member 82 may be screwed into the second hole 52. In this structure shown in FIG. 11 (stops on the first and second guide members 81 and 82 are engaged with respective engaging surfaces on the reference structure 83), the first and second guide members It is only necessary that the most distal ends of 81 and 82 are adjacent in the passage 5 formed by the first and second holes 51 and 52. Therefore, if the first and second guide members 81 and 82 are disposed in the bone and the stoppers on the guide members 81 and 82 are in contact with appropriate engaging surfaces on the guide device 8, respectively, the guide member 81. And the most distal ends of 82 can be positioned adjacent to each other, ensuring that the surgeon. Thus, the surgeon can reliably retrieve the wire 10 or other member contained in one guide member from the other guide member using, for example, a retriever 21 having a hook at the distal end. Such a construction may be beneficial when using the guide device 8 in arthroscopic procedures where visualization of the surgical site is not easy.

  In the above embodiment, the stoppers on the first and second guide members 81 and 82 contact the corresponding engagement surfaces on the engagement portions 84 and 85, but the guide members 81 and 82 are It may be arranged with respect to the reference structure 83 by an appropriate method. For example, there may be instruction marks on the guide members 81 and 82 that can be aligned with parts of the engaging portions 84 and 85, respectively. For example, it is only necessary to confirm that the distal ends of the guide members 81 and 82 are adjacent to each other by using the alignment by the fixed mark on the guide members 81 and 82. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the position of the guide members 81 and 82 relative to the reference structure 83 and relative to each other can be determined in other ways. For example, placing the first and second guide members 81 and 82 so that the distal ends are adjacent in the passageway to assist in inserting suture from one guide member to the other is not necessarily required. Not necessary. Instead, the first and second guide members 81 and 82 may be made to properly communicate with the passageway in any state so that sutures can be easily inserted.

  In this particular embodiment, the first guide member 81 is shown as having a smaller diameter (at least at the distal end) than the second guide member 82. Accordingly, the guide device 8 can be used with the setting that the first hole 51 is smaller than the second hole 52. Relatively small first holes 51 can provide faster recovery and / or provide extra space for other holes in the helicopter as needed. However, it will be appreciated that the holes forming the guide device 8 and / or the passage 5 may be made in any suitable state, for example, even if the first and second holes 51 and 52 have the same diameter. Alternatively, the first hole 51 may have a larger diameter than the second hole 52.

  The guide device 8 is formed in a helicopter substantially parallel to the first hole 51, for example, but a further guide member for providing the formation of a third hole that also intersects the second hole 52 is also necessary. Can be included. Similarly, the guide device 8 may include two pairs of guide members, such as those in a specific embodiment, provided to form parallel passages 5 in a bone or other body part.

  In this specific embodiment, the guide device 8 is used to guide the formation of the second hole 52, but the guide device 8 may not necessarily be used to guide the formation of the second hole 52. . That is, the guide device 8 may be used only to help place the wire 10, suture, or other material into a preformed passage in a bone or other body part. Further, the first and second guide members 81 and 82 may be provided so that the members 81 and 82 can be fixed to a part of the body without forming holes or forming them separately. Thus, in one embodiment, a hole can be formed in a part of the body, eg, pressed into a bone to form a passage 5 and / or a wire, suture or other material is placed in the passage 5. The first and second guide members 81 and 82 may be made in a threader or other device-like shape that can provide a means to assist.

  As shown in FIG. 12, once the wire 10, suture or other material is passed through the passage 5, the suture 3 may be pulled through the passage 5 using the wire 10. Before the wire 10 or other material is used to pull the suture 3 through the passage 5, it forms a path for the suture 3 that is relatively straight when the suture 3 is tensioned and secured in place. Can be used. For example, the wire 10 is tensioned or manipulated between the first and second openings 53 and 54 of the first and second holes 51 and 52 so as to be between the first and second openings 53 and 54. Cut or crush parts of the body, such as bones. Such manipulation of the wire 10 performs a kind of “floss” action in the bone, thereby making the path followed by the suture 3 in the passage 5 straighter, the rotator cuff 2 and the second opening 54. The necessary length of the suture thread 3 is shortened between the fixing point of the suture thread 3 in the vicinity and the like. The wire 10 need only have barbed or other saw-like features to aid in bone cutting and path formation. Of course, a straighter path may be formed by manipulating the suture thread 3 itself, such as tensioning the suture thread 3 when fixing a tendon or other material. If the length of the suture thread 3 in the passage 5 is shortened, for example, the length of the suture thread when it is tensioned is shortened, so that it is easy to maintain appropriate tension on the rotator cuff 2 by the suture thread. Become.

  Once the suture 3 has been passed through the passage 5, the suture 3 may be engaged with the suture anchoring device 4 as shown in FIG. Although the use of a suture fixation device is not necessary, the suture fixation device 4 allows the suture 3 (and tissue 2) to be more firmly fixed to the bone. The suture anchoring device 4 may be made in any suitable manner, but in this particular embodiment has a structure similar to a button. For example, the suture fixing device 4 has two through holes formed in a disk-shaped member, and the guide end of the suture 3 may be passed therethrough. One or more feed members 41 may be used to pass the suture end 3 through each hole of the suture fixation device 4. The feed member 41 only needs to have an elongated shape that is passed through each hole of the suture fixing device 4. The end of the suture 3 may be received by a loop at one end of the feed member 41, and then the suture 3 may be pulled through the hole by pulling the feed member 41 through each hole of the suture fixing device 4. Of course, it will be appreciated that the suture 3 may be threaded through the suture anchoring device 4 by other suitable methods. When this technique is performed arthroscopically, the suture 3 may be passed through the suture fixing device 4 in or outside the body cavity.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the suture 3 is engaged with the suture fixing device 4, the suture 3 is detachably engaged with the suture fixing device 4, and the suture fixing device 4 is arranged as desired. The suture fixation device 4 may be positioned relative to the second opening 54 of the passage 5 using an applier 42 that can be selectively separated from the fixation device. As shown in FIG. 15, the applier 42 has a pair of forks 421 that engage with a recess or other shape on the suture fixation device 4 to removably engage the suture fixation device 4. Just do it. The forks 421 need only be resilient so that the forks are squeezed together when engaged with the suture anchoring device 4. Thus, the resilience on the distant fork can help maintain the fork engagement with the groove 48 of the suture anchoring device 4. Alternatively, the fore end may be pressure fitted into the groove 48 of the suture anchoring device so that engagement is maintained by friction. Of course, it will be appreciated that the applier 42 may be engaged with the suture anchoring device 4 by other suitable methods, such as a screw-in or spring-type structure.

  When the suture fixing device 4 is in an appropriate position with respect to the second opening 54, the suture 3 may be tensioned so that the rotator cuff 2 is properly positioned with respect to the humerus 1. At this point, the suture 3 may be fixed to the suture fixing device 4 by, for example, tying a knot at the suture end. Thus, the suture fixing device 4 not only can provide a structure for supporting the suture knot, but also can apply the force of the suture 3 around the relatively hard cortical bone or adjacent to the second opening 54. Due to the engagement of the suture anchoring device 4 with this cortical bone, the suture anchoring device 4 can provide a relatively stable and secure anchor point of the suture 3. The suture fixing device 4 may include a function for fixing the suture without a knot, such as an interference pin, a locking passage, and a locking cap.

  In the specific embodiment described above, both ends of the suture thread 3 are passed through the passage 5 and fixed at or near the second opening 54 of the passage 5. However, the suture thread 3 can be fixed by other methods. . For example, one end of the suture thread 3 may be passed through the passage 5 and the other end of the suture thread 3 may be passed around the outside of the bone (for example, a part of a large nodule) and fixed to the other suture thread end there. In another embodiment, two passages 5 may be formed in the bone, with one end of the suture 3 passing through one passage and the other end of the suture 3 passing through the other passage. Thereafter, the suture ends may be fixed at or near each second opening of the passage 5 on the side surface of the humerus 1. In still another embodiment, two or more first holes 51 may be formed so as to intersect with one or more second holes 52. The suture thread 3 may be passed through the two or more first holes 51 and fixed at the second openings 54 of the one or more second holes 52. By providing in this way, two or more sutures passing through different first holes 51 using a single second hole 52 and suture anchoring device 4 can be used to create two or more humeral heads. It becomes possible to fix the rotator cuff at the point. Other suture fixation techniques may be used as needed.

  16A-B and 17A-B show a specific embodiment of a suture anchoring device 4 according to the present invention. In these embodiments, the suture anchoring device 4 allows the suture or other material passed through the suture anchoring device to move relatively freely in one direction within the path, but to move in the other direction. Constraints in the path through the suture anchoring device 4 that are prevented are included. For example, suture movement through the suture anchoring device shown in FIGS. 16A and 17A is freely possible to the left in the side view of the suture anchoring device 4, but suture movement to the right is not allowed. It only has to be blocked. This may help to tension the suture 3 because the suture 3 may be pulled from the second hole 52 through the suture fixation device 4 until the rotator cuff or other tissue is properly positioned. it can. Thereafter, the tension of the suture can be temporarily released, for example to prepare for the formation of a knot, but the suture can be prevented from moving back in the suture fixing device 4 so that the knot is tied or fixed to the suture. The rotator cuff or other tissue is maintained in place until

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 16A-B, the suture anchoring device includes an outer end having a flange portion 43. The flange portion 43 is sized so as to contact the cortical bone adjacent to the opening such as the second opening 54 in the passage, and the suture fixing device 4 is disposed. One or more pathways 44 may be formed in the suture anchoring device 4, such as in one or more holes formed through the flange 43 (see also FIG. 15). Instead of having a plurality of holes, the pathway 44 may include a single slot provided to receive one or more sutures. When a knot is formed in the suture thread in the path 44, a recess 49 may be provided in the flange portion 43 in order to receive one or more knots. The pair of hook members 45 at the inner end of the suture fixing device 4 may be formed so as to extend backward from the flange 43 and be disposed in the second hole 54. The heel members 45 may be separated from each other by grooves extending across the inner end of the suture anchoring device 4 and may be resilient toward each other so as to resist the passage of sutures or other material through the path 44. One or both of the heel structures 45 may include saw blades 46 or other features that assist in the engagement of sutures or other materials. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, a groove separating the heel structure 45 extends to the flange portion 43 so that the heel structure 45 can pivot at a point near the flange portion 43.

  The embodiment of FIGS. 17A-B also includes a flange 43 and one or more pathways 44. A saddle structure 45 is also provided. However, in this embodiment, the flange portion 45 is hinged at a point away from the flange 43 rather than being hinged at a point near each connection point with the flange 43. By providing an effective hinge point for the heel structure 45 in this manner, the heel structure 45 and the suture or other material can be moved when the suture is about to be moved from the outer end to the inner end in the path 44. Engagement can be strengthened. That is, when the suture is pulled and moves toward the inner end, the saw blade 46 or other feature engages the suture and the force on the suture is increased, thereby bringing the heel structures 45 closer together and sutured. Strength to tighten the thread further increases. 16 and 17 can be provided with a knot structure or other suitable arrangement for engaging a suture (eg, interference pins, locking caps, etc.) to provide a suture knotless fixation. Alternatively, the structure may help the surgeon's ability to resist suture movement and maintain suture tension while knotting.

  In this embodiment, the flange of the device is depicted as being placed on the outer bone cortical surface, but the flange will hit other bone or tissue that may contact the site during rest or exercise. In order to prevent this, the device may be placed in a hole with a counterbore or countersink. Even when the device is placed in the shape of a counterbore or countersink, the device can contact the cortical bone. Alternatively, the device may contact only the outer bone cortical surface and not into the hole in the bone.

  Of course, the suture anchoring device may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the flange 45 extending from the flange 43 in the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17 may be sized so as to fit closely into a fitting hole formed in the bone. This close fit can help maintain the suture fixation device 4 in the desired position within the bone. Alternatively, the flange structure 45 may be formed so that the outer surface is tapered. Therefore, when the suture fixing device 4 is inserted into the hole in the bone, the tapered surface of the heel structure 45 contacts the side surface of the hole, and the heel structure is brought closer to each other as the suture fixing device 4 is pushed into the hole. . In another embodiment, a portion of the suture anchoring device 4 that is inserted into the hole is made to thread or engage with the hole, and the suture anchoring device is inserted into the hole, such as before the suture is locked in place. You can help prevent it from coming off. There are various forms of mechanisms for maintaining the suture through the device. Some of these shapes may require a knot for final fixation. Other mechanisms for capture do not require suture knots because they can provide sufficient tightening. These are commonly known as “knotless” devices.

  Although several aspects of at least one embodiment of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that various changes, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such changes, modifications and improvements are intended as part of this specification and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are merely examples.

  Various aspects of the invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments, where like numerals correspond to like elements.

It is the schematic of the humeral head and the rotator cuff tendon attached to this. Figure 2 shows prior art for repairing rotator cuff injury. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tissue repair procedure according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a needle to attach a suture to tissue in accordance with the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a needle to attach a suture to tissue in accordance with the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a needle to attach a suture to tissue in accordance with the present invention. FIG. Fig. 5 shows a needle engaged with a cannula, according to one aspect of the invention. In one embodiment, an example of making a needle with a cannula is shown. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a construction for engaging a sleeve and needle assembly with a cannula, according to another embodiment. 2 shows a guide device for use in forming a passage according to the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates the use of a guide device to pass a suture or other member through a passage through bone according to the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates a technique for passing a suture attached to tissue through a passageway. Fig. 5 shows the engagement of a suture and a suture anchoring device according to the present invention. Fig. 4 shows the placement of a suture anchoring device relative to bone according to the present invention. Fig. 3 shows a suture fixation device engagement tool engaged with a suture fixation device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a specific embodiment of a suture anchoring device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a specific embodiment of a suture anchoring device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a specific embodiment of a suture anchoring device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a specific embodiment of a suture anchoring device according to the present invention.

Claims (13)

A cannula (7) having at least one lumen and configured and provided to be placed within an arthroscopic portal in a minimally invasive surgical procedure, the instrument can be passed through the at least one lumen; (6) A device comprising a cannula that is manipulated by movement of the cannula in a state of carrying a suture and engaged so that the suture can be attached to a material. The needle (6) attached to the cannula and having a tissue penetration (61) to carry the suture
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:   The device of claim 2, wherein the needle has a cavity for receiving the suture.   4. The needle of any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the needle has a cannula engagement portion that engages the cannula, and the tissue penetration is disposed distal to the cannula engagement portion. Equipment.   5. The cannula of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cannula has a longitudinal axis (73) and the tissue penetration (61) includes a curved end disposed on a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus according to item 1.   6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the curved end moves along an arcuate trajectory as the cannula rotates about the longitudinal axis.   The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cannula has a longitudinal axis and the tissue penetration includes a semi-circular end on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.   The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cannula has a longitudinal axis (73) passing through the center of the lumen of the cannula and through the center of the semicircular end.   9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cannula is provided such that the needle can be moved axially relative to the cannula while still engaged with the cannula.   The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cannula has at least one locking member (72) complementary and engageable with at least one locking member associated with the needle.   11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the needle can be removably engaged with the cannula.   12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cannula and needle are configured and provided for attaching a suture to a rotator cuff.   13. The device of claim 12, wherein the cannula and needle are configured and provided to form a mattress stitch on the rotator cuff.

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