US6146406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone anchor
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-12
•
Granted: 2000-11-14
•
Expires: 2018-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A bone anchor includes first and second anchoring legs and a bridge joining the anchoring legs between their proximal and distal ends. Portions of the anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to elastically compress together in response to an insertion force applied to the bone anchor during insertion of the bone anchor into a bone hole, and to plastically splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor. Portions of the anchoring legs on a distal side of the bridge are configured to compress together in during application of the withdrawal force to limit the splaying of the proximal portions of the anchoring legs. A method for attaching soft tissue to bone includes inserting the bone anchor with attached suture into the bone, and deploying the bone anchor within the bone by applying tension to the suture.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan E. Shluzas
- 👤 Steve Reynolds
- 👤 William R. Davis
- 👤 Paul Brophy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0409; A61B2017/0414
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, the anchor having a longitudinal axis and a portion of each of the anchoring legs proximal of the bridge, in a non-deformed state, being oriented outwardly from the longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, the anchor having a longitudinal axis and a portion of each of the anchoring legs proximal of the bridge, in a non-deformed state, being oriented outwardly from the longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to compress together in response to an insertion force applied to the bone anchor during insertion of the bone anchor into a bone hole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bone anchor of claim 2 wherein the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge are configured to undergo elastic deformation when compressed together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bone anchor of claim 4 wherein the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge are configured to undergo plastic deformation when splayed apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bone anchor of claim 4 wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a distal side of the bridge are configured to compress together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The bone anchor of claim 6 wherein the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the distal side of the bridge define a slot therebetween, a width of the slot defining an amount of splaying of the first and second anchoring legs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the bridge is positioned transverse to the first and second anchoring legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the bridge includes an opening oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for placement of the bone anchor over a guidewire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 further including a suture mount for attaching a suture to the bone anchor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the suture mount comprises a through hole in at least one of the first and second anchoring legs oriented transversely to the axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bone anchor of claim 11 wherein the suture mount further includes an axially oriented groove located on an outer surface of the bone anchor, adjacent to and on either side of the through hole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bone anchor of claim 10 wherein the suture mount comprises a first transversely oriented through hole in the first anchoring leg and a second transversely oriented through hole in the second anchoring leg.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said first and second anchoring legs each includes a distal end configured for penetrating bone tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said first and second anchoring legs each includes a flat inner surface for engaging a flattened region of an insertion tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said first and second anchoring legs each includes an outwardly curved proximal end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the first and second anchoring legs other than at the outwardly oriented portion of the anchoring legs proximal of the bridge are oriented substantially parallel to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the bone anchor is formed from metal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the bone anchor is formed from a polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge being configured to elastically compress together in response to an insertion force applied to the bone anchor, and to plastically splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the anchor when the anchor is located in a bone hole, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a distal side of the bridge being configured to plastically compress together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
154 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge being configured to elastically compress together in response to an insertion force applied to the bone anchor, and to plastically splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the anchor when the anchor is located in a bone hole, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a distal side of the bridge being configured to plastically compress together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bone anchor of claim 20 wherein the bridge includes an axially oriented opening for placement of the bone anchor over a guidewire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bone anchor of claim 21 further including a transversely oriented opening for passage of a suture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a plurality of anchoring legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, proximal portions of the plurality of anchoring legs being configured to splay apart during application of a withdrawal force to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole, distal portions of the plurality of anchoring legs being configured to move together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the proximal portions of the plurality of anchoring legs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
83 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a plurality of anchoring legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, proximal portions of the plurality of anchoring legs being configured to splay apart during application of a withdrawal force to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole, distal portions of the plurality of anchoring legs being configured to move together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the proximal portions of the plurality of anchoring legs.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for attaching soft tissue to bone, including inserting a bone anchor with attached suture into the bone, the bone anchor having a first anchoring leg, a second anchoring leg, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, and deploying the bone anchor within the bone by applying tension to the suture.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for attaching soft tissue to bone, including inserting a bone anchor with attached suture into the bone, the bone anchor having a first anchoring leg, a second anchoring leg, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, and deploying the bone anchor within the bone by applying tension to the suture.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step of deploying includes pulling proximally on the suture to plastically splay apart proximal portions of the anchoring legs.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
117 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge being configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole, the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge being configured to undergo plastic deformation when splayed apart.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
117 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge being configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole, the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge being configured to undergo plastic deformation when splayed apart.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
139 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole, and portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a distal side of the bridge are configured to compress together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
139 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole, and portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a distal side of the bridge are configured to compress together during application of the withdrawal force to limit splaying of the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The bone anchor of claim 27 wherein the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the distal side of the bridge define a slot therebetween, a width of the slot defining an amount of splaying of the first and second anchoring legs.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to compress together in response to an insertion force applied to the bone anchor during insertion of the bone anchor into a bone hole.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to compress together in response to an insertion force applied to the bone anchor during insertion of the bone anchor into a bone hole.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bone anchor of claim 29 wherein the portions of the first and second anchoring legs on the proximal side of the bridge are configured to undergo elastic deformation when so compressed together.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, wherein portions of the first and second anchoring legs on a proximal side of the bridge are configured to splay apart in response to a withdrawal force applied to the bone anchor when the bone anchor is located in a bone hole.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, wherein the bone anchor has a longitudinal axis and the bridge includes an opening oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for placement of the bone anchor over a guidewire.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, wherein the bone anchor has a longitudinal axis and the bridge includes an opening oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis for placement of the bone anchor over a guidewire.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, and a suture mount for attaching a suture to the bone anchor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
62 words
A bone anchor, comprising: a first anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second anchoring leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a bridge joining the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the anchoring legs, and a suture mount for attaching a suture to the bone anchor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
38 words
The bone anchor of claim 33 wherein the bone anchor has a longitudinal axis and the suture mount comprises a through hole in at least one of the first and second anchoring legs oriented transversely to the axis.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bone anchor of claim 34 wherein the suture mount further includes an axially oriented groove located on an outer surface of the bone anchor, adjacent to and on either side of the through hole.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
The bone anchor of claim 33 wherein the bone anchor has a longitudinal axis and the suture mount comprises a first through hole in the first anchoring leg oriented transversely to the axis, and a second through hole in the second anchoring leg oriented transversely to the axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |