US20040220615A1 - Device and system for anchoring tissue to bone - Google Patents

Abstract

A device is designed to anchor a tissue to a bone. The device comprises a contractible implant, one or more sutures attached to the implant, and a pasty medicine capable of solidification. The implant is made of a flexible wall and provided with a holding portion and an injection port. The flexible wall is provided with a plurality of pores, each having a diameter smaller than 0.1 millimeter. The pasty medicine is injected into the holding portion of the implant upon completion of insertion of the contracted implant into the bone, thereby resulting in expansion of the contracted implant. The implant is thus securely lodged in the bone upon solidification of the pasty medicine to facilitate the anchoring of the tissue to the bone by suturing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to a surgical method of joining together a bone and a tissue, and more particularly to an anchoring device by which a tissue is firmly held on to a bone.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,566 discloses a system for anchoring tissue to bone. The system comprises an anchorlike implant which is provided with two flukes opposite to each other. The implant is fixed with a bone by means of the two flukes. The anchorlike implant of the prior art system often fails to bring about a good anchoring effect. In another words, the anchorlike implant is vulnerable to being pulled out of the bone in which it is implanted, due to the fact that the pointed flukes are apt to penetrate the bone at the time when the flukes are exerted on by a stress. The stress is bound to concentrate at the pointed end of the flukes of the anchorlike implant as the suturing threads are pulled by the tissue.[0002]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a device for anchoring a tissue to a bone. The device comprises an implant, one or more sutures, and a pasty medicine.[0003]
• The implant of the device is contractibe prior to being implanted in a bone. Upon completion of being implanted in the bone, the implant is filled with the pasty medicine and is therefore caused to expand to lodge in the bone. With the sutures, one or more pieces of the tissue are anchored to the bone. The sutures are fastened at one end with the implant such that other end of the sutures is extended out of the bone so as to join with the tissue pieces.[0004]
• A device for anchoring a tissue to a bone according to one aspect of the present invention comprises:[0005]
• an implant made of a flexible wall and provided with a holding portion and an injection port in communication with said holding portion, with said holding portion being enclosed by said flexible wall which is provided with a plurality of pores, each having a diameter smaller than 0.1 mm whereby said implant is contractible and is contracted prior to being inserted into the bone;[0006]
• one or more sutures fastened with said implant; and[0007]
• a pasty medicine capable of solidification injected into said holding portion via said injection port of said implant in the wake of insertion of said implant into the bone, thereby resulting in expansion of said implant so as to enable said implant to be securely lodged in the bone upon completion of the solidification of said pasty medicine.[0008]
• Preferably, said flexible wall of said implant is of a one-layered construction.[0009]
• Preferably, said flexible wall of said implant is of a laminated multi-layered construction.[0010]
• Preferably, said sutures are fastened at one end with said implant.[0011]
• Preferably, said injection port of said implant is provided with a suture hole for holding said sutures.[0012]
• Preferably, said implant is integrally made of said flexible wall such that said implant takes the form of sac, bag, or ball.[0013]
• Preferably, said pasty medicine is a mixture of a liquid and a bone cement. More preferably, said bone cement is selected from the group consisting of gypsum, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, poly(methylmethacrylate) and hydroxy apatite.[0014]
• It is another objective of the present invention to provide a system by which a tissue is anchored to a bone in a surgical operation.[0015]
• The system of the present invention comprises said implant, said one or more sutures, an injection tool, and said pasty medicine, wherein said injection tool is fastened detachably with said filling member, so that said pasty medicine is injected into said holding portion via said injection tool.[0016]
• Preferably, said injection tool comprises a connection tube and a syringe formed of a barrel and a plunger, said connection tube being fastened detachably at one end with said injection port of said filling member, said connection tube further being fastened at other end with said barrel of said syringe; wherein said pasty medicine is injected into said holding portion of said filling member from said barrel by said plunger via said connection tube.[0017]
• Preferably, said system of the present invention further comprises a sleeve receiving said connection tube and said implant prior to insertion of said implant into the bone, wherein said sutures protrude from said sleeve. More preferably, said sleeve is made of a material having an elasticity and has a longitudinal slit, so that said sleeve can be removed from said connection tube by expanding said longitudinal slit.[0018]
• The pores of the flexible wall of the implant of the present invention allow the bone cells to grow thereinto to help the implant serving as an anchor.[0019]
• The flexible wall of the implant of the device or system of the present invention is made of a biocompatible or biosynthetic material, such as threads made of titanium or goat intestine.[0020]
• The flexible wall of the implant of the device or system of the present invention further contains an image-forming body, which is formed of a metal conductor, or graphite. The image-forming body enables the implant to be located in the bone by a ray imaging system, such as an X-ray machine.[0021]
• If the average diameter of the pores of the flexible wall of the implant of the device or system of the present invention is close to 0.1 mm, the flexible wall is preferably formed of two or more layers which are laminated. Generally speaking, if the particle size of the pasty medicine, such as poly(methylmethacrylate), is relatively large, and the pasty medicine has a high viscosity, the flexible wall can be formed of two layers. If the particle size of the pasty medicine is relatively small, and the pasty medicine has a low viscosity, the flexible wall is preferably formed of three or more layers. In another words, the number of the wall layer depends on the viscosity or particle size of the pasty medicine. If the flexible wall is of a multi-layered construction, the wall layers are laminated in such a manner that the pores of the wall layers are not necessarily corresponding in location to one another.[0022]
• The flexible wall of the implant of the device or system of the present invention is provided with a thread hole dimensioned to allow passage of one end of the sutures. When the implant of the device or system of the present invention is formed of biocompatible or biosynthetic threads by knitting, the thread hole can be formed by knitting near the injection port of the implant. Alternatively, the sutures can be integrally knitted to the flexible wall of the implant without forming the thread hole.[0023]
• This specification contains such words as “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right”. The word “front” refers to a direction in which the device or system of the present invention is moved by a surgeon toward a subject under the surgical treatment. The word “rear” refers to the opposite direction of the “front”. The word “left” refers to a direction in which the device or system of the present invention is moved by the surgeon toward the left arm of the surgeon. The word “right” refers to a direction toward the right arm of the surgeon.[0024]
• The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.[0025]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1[0026]aand1bare perspective view of the implants and the surgical sutures of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 2[0027]aand2bare sectional schematic view of a one-layered wall and a multi-layered wall of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a system embodied in the present invention.[0028]
• FIG. 4[0029]ashows an exploded view of the system is shown in FIG. 3.
• FIG. 4[0030]bshows a perspective view of a sleeve of the system as shown in FIG. 3.
• FIGS. 5[0031]a-5eare a series of schematic views of the system of the present invention at work.
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an implantation-injection device of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• As shown in FIG. 1[0033]a, adevice10 made according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used to anchor a tissue to a bone. Thedevice10 comprises animplant11 which is formed of a plurality of biocompatible orbiosynthetic threads111 by knitting. In the process of forming theimplant11, thethreads111 are first knitted into aflexible wall112 along with one ormore suturing threads21. Theimplant11 is in the form of a bag having a holding portion enclosed by theflexible wall112. In light of theflexible wall112 being formed by knitting, theflexible wall112 is provided with a plurality of meshes (pores)113, each having a diameter smaller than 0.1 mm.
• The[0034]flexible wall112 forming the holdingportion114 is folded or contracted at the top thereof to form an opening, and a ring having threads on its inner surface is fastened to the opening to form aninjection port115.
• A[0035]device10 made according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises animplant11′ which is basically similar to theimplant11 described above, with the difference being that theimplant11′ is provided at aninjection port115 thereof with asuture hole124 for receiving one ormore suturing threads21. In another words, the suturing threads22, theflexible wall112 of the holdingportion114 of theimplant11′ are not integrally formed.
• FIGS. 2[0036]aand2bare two sectional views which are taken along a line2-2 as shown in FIG. 1a. Theflexible wall112 is of a one-layered construction as shown in FIG. 2a, or a laminated multi-layered construction as shown in FIG. 2b. Each layer is provided with a plurality ofpores113 permeable to fluids. The layers are laminated in such a manner that thepores113 of the layers are not corresponding in location to one another, as shown in FIG. 2b, thereby slowing down the passage of the fluids through thepores113.
• As shown in FIG. 3, an anchoring system embodied in the present invention comprises the[0037]implant11, twosuturing threads21 formed integrally with theimplant11, apasty medicine30, an implantation-injection tool40, and asleeve50. Thesleeve50 is provided with aslit51 extending along the longitudinal direction of thesleeve50. The implantation-injection tool40 comprises aconnection tube41 and asyringe42.
• As shown in FIGS. 4[0038]aand4b, theimplant11 is formed of titanium threads or goat intestine threads such that it is contractible. Theinjection port115 is provided with a plurality ofinner threads116. In the meantime, theconnection tube41 is provided at one end with a plurality ofouter threads411 engageable with theinner threads116 of theinjection port115 of theimplant11.
• Depending on the surgical requirement, one or two[0039]suturing threads21 are integrally formed with theimplant11. Thesuturing threads21 are provided with asurgical needle211.
• The[0040]pasty medicine30 is capable of solidification. However, thepasty medicine30 may be existed in the powdered or colloidal form; it is mixed with a liquid, such as water, to become the pasty substance, which is then injected into the implant by theinjection tool40. Thepasty medicine30 is contained in the receivingspace424 of thebarrel421 of thesyringe42. Thebarrel421 has aconnection end423 which is connected with ahose412 of theconnection tube41. Thepasty medicine30 is forced by theplunger422 of thesyringe42 into the holdingportion114 of theimplant11 via theconnection tube41, thereby resulting in expansion of theimplant11. Upon being injected into theimplant11, thepasty medicine30 begins to solidify.
• The[0041]sleeve50 is made of a material having an elasticity, such as titanium, stainless steel, plastic, etc. Thesleeve50 is used to fit around the contractedimplant11 and theconnection tube41 of theinjection device40, so as to facilitate the inserting of the contractedimplant11 into a bone tissue. Thesleeve50 is provided with aslit51 extending along the longitudinal direction of thesleeve50, as shown in FIG. 4b. In light of thesleeve50 being elastic by nature, theslit51 can be forced to widen to enable thesleeve50 to be separated from theconnection tube41 via theslit51.
• The surgical process of anchoring a soft tissue, such as muscular tissue, to a bone tissue is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5[0042]a-5e. In the first place, adrilling tool70 is used to make ahole61 in abone tissue60, as illustrated in FIGS. 5aand5b. Thereafter, the contractedimplant11, thesuturing threads21, and theconnection tube41 of theinjection device40 are fitted into thesleeve50, which is then inserted into thehole61 of thebone tissue60. Thesleeve50 is withdrawn from thehole61. Thepasty medicine30, which is held in the receivingspace424 of thebarrel421 of thesyringe42 of the injection device40 (not shown in FIGS. 5aand5b), is injected into the holdingportion114 of theimplant11, thereby resulting in expansion of theflexible wall112 of theimplant11, as illustrated in FIG. 5c. As a result, theimplant11 is securely lodged in thebone tissue60 upon solidification of thepasty medicine30. By widening theslit51 of thesleeve50, thesleeve50 is separated from theconnection tube41 before theconnection tube41 is disconnected with theinjection port115 of theimplant11, as shown in FIG. 5d. Upon completion of the removal of theconnection tube41 and thesleeve50, the anchorage of twomuscular tissues80 is carried out by suturing, as shown in FIG. 5e. With twosurgical sutures21 along with two suturingneedles211, the twomuscular tissues80 are anchored to thebone tissue60.
• As shown in FIG. 6, the[0043]injection tool40 of the system of the present invention further comprises apackaging sac43 which is integrally formed with theconnection tube41. Thepackaging sac43 is used to hold a medicine and a solution, which are thoroughly mixed to form thepasty medicine30 before the injection of themedicine30 into the contractedimplant11 takes place.
• The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be regarded in all respects as being illustrative and nonrestrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following claims.[0044]

Claims (13)

What is claimed is:

1. A device for anchoring a tissue to a bone, said device comprising:

an implant made of a flexible wall and provided with a holding portion and an injection port in communication with said holding portion, with said holding portion being enclosed by said flexible wall which is provided with a plurality of pores, each having a diameter smaller than 0.1 mm whereby said implant is contractible and is contracted prior to being inserted into the bone;

one or more sutures fastened with said implant; and

a pasty medicine capable of solidification injected into said holding portion via said injection port of said implant in the wake of insertion of said implant into the bone, thereby resulting in expansion of said implant so as to enable said implant to be securely lodged in the bone upon completion of the solidification of said pasty medicine.

2. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said flexible wall of said implant is of a one-layered construction.

3. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said flexible wall of said implant is of a laminated multi-layered construction.

4. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said sutures are fastened at one end with said implant.

5. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said injection port of said implant is provided with a suture hole for holding said sutures.

6. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said implant is integrally made of said flexible wall such that said implant takes the form of sac, bag, or ball.

7. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said pasty medicine is a mixture of a liquid and a bone cement.

8. The device as defined inclaim 7, wherein said bone cement is selected from the group consisting of gypsum, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, poly(methylmethacrylate) and hydroxy apatite.

9. The device as defined inclaim 1, Wherein said implant is provided with an imaging body of a metal conductor or graphite.

10. The device as defined inclaim 1 further comprising an injection tool fastened detachably with said filling member, so that said pasty medicine is injected into said holding portion via said injection tool.

11. The device as defined inclaim 10, wherein said injection tool comprises a connection tube and a syringe formed of a barrel and a plunger, said connection tube being fastened detachably at one end with said injection port of said filling member, said connection tube further being fastened at other end with said barrel of said syringe; wherein said pasty medicine is injected into said holding portion of said filling member from said barrel by said plunger via said connection tube.

12. The device as defined inclaim 11 further comprising a sleeve receiving said connection tube and said implant prior to insertion of said implant into the bone, wherein said sutures protrude from said sleeve.

13. The device as defined in claim17, wherein said sleeve is made of a material having an elasticity and has a longitudinal slit, so that said sleeve can be removed from said connection tube by expanding said longitudinal slit.

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