Surgical fastener

Claim 2

A surgical system for attaching soft tissue to bone, said system comprising (1) a fastener for attaching soft tissue to said bone and (2) delivery means for delivering said fastener to the attachment point, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each of said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis and being isolated from adjacent ones of said ribs, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end of said rib being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end of said rib being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank, said first end of said rib having a smaller circumference than said second end of said rib, further wherein the portion of said shank disposed between the proximalmost one of said at least two ribs and said proximal end of said shank has a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between the distalmost one of said at least two ribs and said distal end of said shank, said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis, and said delivery means comprising flexible guide wire having first and second ends and adapted to have its first end disposed adjacent said attachment point, said bore and said guide wire being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be slidably mounted onto said guide wire by passing said guide wire through said fastener bore.

Claim 3

A surgical system according to claim 1 where each of said ribs is spaced a distance greater than the longitudinal length of one of said ribs from adjacent ones of said at least two ribs.

Claim 4

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein said fastener is formed out of polypropylene, Hytrel (R) copolyester, or homopolymer polyesters, or nylon, or polyethylene, or polycarbonate, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, so as to be substantially non-adsorbable by the human body.

Claim 5

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein said fastener is formed out of homo and copolymers of glycolide and trimethylene carbonate, homo and copolymers of lactide and glycolide, or a blend of these homopolymers and copolymers, so as to be substantially absorbable by the human body.

Claim 6

A surgical system according to claim 4 wherein said fastener is coated with caprolactone and glycolide homo and copolymers, or glycolide and lactide homo and copolymers, so as to delay the absorption of the fastener into the human body.

Claim 7

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein said fastener is formed out of a composite comprising a bone growth promoter.

Claim 8

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein said fastener is coated with a functional pharmaceutical agent to facilitate delivery of the pharmaceutical agent to the implant site.

Claim 9

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein said head comprises at least one projection extending away from said head toward said distal end of said shank, said at least one projection being radially spaced from said shank.

Claim 10

A surgical system according to claim 1 further comprising a fillet attached to and extending between said head and said shank.

Claim 11

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein the proximally facing end of at least one of said at least two ribs is undercut.

Claim 12

A surgical system according to claim 1 wherein each said rib has a first outer surface adjacent said proximal end which extends (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half the length of said rib, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and a second outer surface adjacent said distal end having a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of said first outer surface.

Claim 13

A surgical system for attaching soft tissue to bone, said system comprising hole forming means for forming a hole in said bone when said soft tissue is positioned against said bone (2) a fastener for attaching said soft tissue to said bone and (3) delivery means for delivering said fastener to said hole, said hole forming means comprising a drilling member, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; said shank having at least two discrete, substantially identical ribs disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each of said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis and being substantially longitudinally spaced from adjacent ones of said ribs, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end of said rib being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end of said rib being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank, said first end of said rib having a smaller circumference than said second end of said rib, further wherein the portion of said shank disposed between the proximalmost one of said at least two ribs and said proximal end of said shank has a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between the distalmost one of said at least two ribs and said distal end of said shank, said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis, and said delivery means comprising a guide wire having first and second ends and adapted to have its first end disposed in said hole, said hole forming means and said fastener being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be snugly received in a hole formed in said bone by said hole forming means; and said bore and said guide wire being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be slidably mounted onto said guide wire by passing said guide wire through said fastener bore.

Claim 14

A surgical system for attaching soft tissue to bone, said system comprising hole forming means for forming a hole in said bone when said soft tissue is positioned against said bone (2) a fastener for attaching said soft tissue to said bone and (3) delivery means for delivering said fastener to said hole, said hole forming means comprising a drilling member, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; said shank having at least two discrete, substantially identical ribs disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each of said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis and being substantially longitudinally spaced from adjacent ones of said ribs, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end of said rib being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end of said rib being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank, said first end of said rib having a smaller circumference than said second end of said rib, further wherein the portion of said shank disposed between the proximalmost one of said at least two ribs and said proximal end of said shank has a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between the distalmost one of said at least two ribs and said distal end of said shank, said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis, and said delivery means comprising a guide wire having first and second ends and adapted to have its first end disposed in said hole, said hole forming means and said fastener being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be snugly received in a hole formed in said bone by said hole forming means; and said bore and said guide wire being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be slidably mounted onto said guide wire by passing said guide wire through said fastener bore.

Claim 15

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein said drilling member comprises a cannulated drill having an axial bore adapted to accommodate said guide wire.

Claim 16

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein each of said ribs is spaced a distance greater than the longitudinal length of one of said ribs from adjacent ones of said at least two ribs.

Claim 17

A surgical system according claim 12 wherein said fastener is formed out of polypropylene, Hytrel (R) copolyester, or homopolymer polyesters, or nylon, or polyethylene, or polycarbonate, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, so as to be substantially non-absorbable by the human body.

Claim 18

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein said fastener is formed out of homo and copolymers of glycolide and trimethylene carbonate, homo and copolymers of lactide and glycolide, or a blend of these homopolymers and copolymers, so as to be substantially absorbable by the human body.

Claim 19

A surgical system according to claim 16 wherein said fastener is coated with caprolactone and glycolide homo and copolymers, or glycolide and lactide homo and copolymers, so as to delay the absorption of the fastener into the human body.

Claim 20

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein said fastener is formed out of a composite comprising a bone growth promoter.

Claim 21

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein said fastener is coated with a functional pharmaceutical agent to facilitate delivery of the pharmaceutical agent to the implant site.

Claim 22

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein said head comprises at least one projection extending away from said head toward said distal end of said shank, said at least one projection being radially spaced from said shank.

Claim 23

A surgical system according to claim 12 further comprising a fillet attached to and extending between said head and said shank.

Claim 24

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein the proximally facing end of at least one of said at least two ribs is undercut.

Claim 25

A surgical system according to claim 12 wherein each said rib has a first outer surface adjacent said proximal end which extends (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half the length of said rib, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and a second outer surface adjacent said distal end having a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of said first outer surface.

Claim 26

A surgical fastener for attaching soft tissue to bone, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; said shank having at least two discrete, substantially identical ribs disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each of said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis and being substantially longitudinally spaced from adjacent ones of said ribs, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end of said at least one rib being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end of said rib being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank, said first end of said rib having a smaller circumference than said second end of said rib, further wherein the portion of said shank disposed between the proximalmost one of said at least two ribs and said proximal end of said shank has a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between the distalmost one of said at least two ribs and said distal end of said shank; each said rib having an outer surface which extends parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank along a portion of said rib; said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 27

A surgical fastener for attaching soft tissue to bone, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; said shank having at least two discrete, substantially identical ribs disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each of said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis and being substantially longitudinally spaced from adjacent ones of said ribs, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end of said at least one rib being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end of said rib being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank, said first end of said rib having a smaller circumference than said second end of said rib, further wherein the portion of said shank disposed between the proximalmost one of said at least two ribs and said proximal end of said shank has a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between the distalmost one of said at least two ribs and said distal end of said shank; each said rib having an outer surface which extends parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank along a portion of said rib; said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 28

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein each of said ribs is spaced a distance greater than the longitudinal length of one of said ribs from adjacent ones of said at least two ribs.

Claim 29

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein said fastener is formed out of polypropylene, Hytrel (R) copolyester, or homopolymer polyesters, or nylon, or polyethylene, or polycarbonate, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, so as to be substantially non-absorbable to the human body.

Claim 30

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein said fastener is formed out of homo and copolymers of glycolide and trimethylene carbonate, homo and copolymers of lactide and glycolide, or a blend of these homopolymers and copolymers, so as to be substantially absorbable to the human body.

Claim 31

A surgical fastener according to claim 27 wherein said fastener is coated with caprolactone and glycolide homo and copolymers, or glycolide and lactide homo and copolymers, so as to delay the absorption of the fastener into the human body.

Claim 32

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein said fastener is formed out of a composite comprising a bone growth promoter.

Claim 33

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein said fastener is coated with a functional pharmaceutical agent to facilitate delivery of the pharmaceutical agent to the implant site.

Claim 34

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein said head comprises at least one projection extending away from said head toward said distal end of said shank, said at least one projection being radially spaced from said shank.

Claim 35

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 further comprising a fillet attached to and extending between said head and said shank.

Claim 36

A surgical fastener according to claim 24 wherein the proximally facing end of at least one of said at least two ribs is undercut.

Claim 37

A surgical system according to claim 24 wherein each said rib has a first outer surface adjacent said proximal end which extends (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half the length of said rib, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and a second outer surface adjacent said distal end having a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of said first outer surface.

Claim 38

A surgical fastener for attaching soft tissue to bone, said fastener comprising: a shank having first and second ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end, said first end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head disposed on said second end of said shank, said shank having at least two ribs disposed intermediate its said first and second ends, said at least two ribs extending completely around said shank in a circular configuration; each of said at least two ribs having (1) an equal length, as measured along said longitudinal axis of said shank, and (2) an outer surface which extends parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank along about half of said length of said ribs; the portion of said shank disposed between the one of said at least two ribs closest to said second end of said shank and said second end of said shank having a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between said one of said at least two ribs and said other of said at least two ribs, and said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 39

A surgical fastener for attaching soft tissue to bone, said fastener comprising: a shank having first and second ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end, said first end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head disposed on said second end of said shank, said shank having at least two ribs disposed intermediate its said first and second ends, said at least two ribs extending completely around said shank in a circular configuration; each of said at least two ribs having (1) an equal length, as measured along said longitudinal axis of said shank, and (2) an outer surface which extends parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank along about half of said length of said ribs; the portion of said shank disposed between the one of said at least two ribs closest to said second end of said shank and said second end of said shank having a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between said one of said at least two ribs and said other of said at least two ribs, and said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 40

A surgical fastener for attaching soft tissue to bone, said fastener comprising: an elongate shank having a longitudinal axis, first and second ends, a cylindrical upper portion, a lower portion terminating at said first end, and a cylindrical intermediate portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said upper portion having a larger diameter than said intermediate portion, said lower portion tapering radially inwardly from said intermediate portion to said first end; at least two ribs extending completely around said intermediate portion of said shank, each of said at least two ribs having a predetermined length, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and first and second outer surface portions, said first outer surface portion extending (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half of said predetermined length of said each rib, and said second outer surface portion being configured to taper radially inwardly, as measured along said longitudinal axis from said second end of said shank to said first end of said shank, each of said at least two ribs being isolated from each other and spaced apart a distance greater than said predetermined length from adjacent ones of said at least two ribs, an enlarged head coupled to said second end of said shank; and a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 41

A surgical fastener for attaching soft tissue to bone, said fastener comprising: an elongate shank having a longitudinal axis, first and second ends, a cylindrical upper portion, a lower portion terminating at said first end, and a cylindrical intermediate portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said upper portion having a larger diameter than said intermediate portion, said lower portion tapering radially inwardly from said intermediate portion to said first end; at least two ribs extending completely around said intermediate portion of said shank, each of said at least two ribs having a predetermined length, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and first and second outer surface portions, said first outer surface portion extending (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half of said predetermined length of said each rib, and said second outer surface portion being configured to taper radially inwardly, as measured along said longitudinal axis from said second end of said shank to said first end of said shank, each of said at least two ribs being isolated from each other and spaced apart a distance greater than said predetermined length from adjacent ones of said at least two ribs, an enlarged head coupled to said second end of said shank; and a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 42

A surgical fastener according to claim 36 wherein said fastener is formed out of homo and copolymers of glycolide and trimethylene carbonate, homo and copolymers of lactide and glycolide, or a blend of these homopolymers and copolymers, so as to be substantially absorbable to the human body.

Claim 43

A surgical fastener for attaching an object to bone of the sort comprising a relatively hard outer cortical region and a relatively soft inner cancellous region, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal portions and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal portion to said proximal portion, said distal portion of said shank having a successively narrowing cross-section; means for securing an object to said shank; said shank having at least first and second ribs disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal portions, said first and second ribs extending around said shank in a substantially circular configuration and being isolated from each other, and said first rib comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and said first rib comprising (1) a peripheral portion starting at said proximal end of said first rib and extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank, and (2) an inclined surface portion starting at said distal end of said first rib and extending to said peripheral portion of said first rib, said first rib being formed so that, when said fastener is inserted into bone so that said first rib is disposed within the cancellous region of the bone, said peripheral portion of said first rib will engage and bear against the cancellous region of said bone to secure said fastener to said bone.

Claim 44

A surgical fastener for attaching an object to bone of the sort comprising a relatively hard outer cortical region and a relatively soft inner cancellous region, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal portions and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal portion to said proximal portion, said distal portion of said shank having a successively narrowing cross-section; means for securing an object to said shank; said shank having at least first and second ribs disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal portions, said first and second ribs extending around said shank in a substantially circular configuration and being isolated from each other, and said first rib comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and said first rib comprising (1) a peripheral portion starting at said proximal end of said first rib and extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank, and (2) an inclined surface portion starting at said distal end of said first rib and extending to said peripheral portion of said first rib, said first rib being formed so that, when said fastener is inserted into bone so that said first rib is disposed within the cancellous region of the bone, said peripheral portion of said first rib will engage and bear against the cancellous region of said bone to secure said fastener to said bone.

Claim 45

A surgical fastener according to claim 38 wherein the portion of said shank disposed between said at least first and second ribs has a diameter smaller than the diameter of said proximal portion of said shank.

Claim 46

A surgical fastener according to claim 38 wherein said fastener has a bore extending completely through said shank along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 47

A surgical fastener according to claim 38 wherein said means for securing an object to said shank comprises an enlarged head attached to said proximal portion of said shank, and further wherein said fastener is sized so that when an object is positioned against the bone and said shank passes through said object and into said bone, said first rib will be disposed within said cancellous region of the bone and said shaft will extend through said cortical region of the bone, and said enlarged head will bear against said object.

Claim 48

A surgical fastener according to claim 38 wherein said first and second ribs are sufficiently longitudinally spaced to permit said bone to move radially inwardly between said ribs.

Claim 49

A surgical system for attaching soft tissue to bone, said system comprising (1) a fastener for attaching soft tissue to said bone and (2) delivery means for delivering said fastener to the attachment point, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; said shank having at least two discrete ribs isolated from each other and disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank said first end having a smaller circumference than said second end, each said rib having a first outer surface adjacent said proximal end which extends (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half the length of said rib, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and a second outer surface adjacent said distal end having a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of said first outer surface; said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis, and said delivery means comprising a guide wire having first and second ends and adapted to have its first end disposed adjacent said attachment point, said bore and said guide wire being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be slidably mounted onto said guide wire by passing said guide wire through said fastener bore.

Claim 50

A surgical system for attaching soft tissue to bone, said system comprising (1) a fastener for attaching soft tissue to said bone and (2) delivery means for delivering said fastener to the attachment point, said fastener comprising: a shank having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end of said shank having a frusto-conical configuration, and an enlarged head coupled to said proximal end of said shank; said shank having at least two discrete ribs isolated from each other and disposed intermediate its said distal and proximal ends, each said at least two ribs completely encircling said shank transversely to said longitudinal axis, and each said rib comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, said first end being disposed toward said distal end of said shank, and said second end being disposed toward said proximal end of said shank said first end having a smaller circumference than said second end, each said rib having a first outer surface adjacent said proximal end which extends (1) parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shank and (2) along about half the length of said rib, as measured along said longitudinal axis, and a second outer surface adjacent said distal end having a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of said first outer surface; said fastener having a bore extending completely through said shank and said head along said longitudinal axis, and said delivery means comprising a guide wire having first and second ends and adapted to have its first end disposed adjacent said attachment point, said bore and said guide wire being sized relative to one another such that said fastener may be slidably mounted onto said guide wire by passing said guide wire through said fastener bore.

Claim 51

A surgical system according to claim 43 wherein each of the ribs is spaced a distance greater than the longitudinal length of one of said ribs from adjacent ribs.

Claim 52

A surgical system according to claim 44 wherein the portion of said shank disposed between the proximalmost one of said ribs and said proximal end of said shank has a cylindrical configuration and a greater diameter than the portion of said shank disposed between the distalmost one of said ribs and said distal end of said shank.

Claim 53

A surgical system according to claim 43 wherein said head comprises at least one projection extending away from said head toward said distal end of said shank, said at least one projection being radially spaced from said shank.