ARTHROSCOPIC TOOL FOR LABRUM REPAIR PROCEDURE AND A METHOD FOR
USE THEREOF
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/275,415 filed on February 14, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/631,571 filed on February 16, 2018. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to tools for labrum repair procedure, for example arthroscopic tools for hip reconstruction procedure.
Treatment of musculoskeletal disease typically involves reattachment of ligaments, tendons or other tissue to a bone. This requires placement of anchors within the bone. Following insertion of the anchor, the tissue to be repaired is captured by a suture, the suture is pre-attached to the anchor, tension is adjusted, and then the suture is often knotted so that the tissue is secured in a desired position.
In particular, various structural hip abnormalities require hip reconstruction procedures, which involve disattachment of the labrum tissue. The labrum then has to be re-attached to the bone using anchors with sutures. Treatment of the hip joint is especially challenging, since the hip joint is deep, delivery of surgical instruments into the joint space while still allowing control of the surgical instrument from outside the patient’s body can be challenging. Additionally, the working space in the hip joint is minimal and thus there is little room for repairing the joint, such as when reattaching a torn labrum to the acetabular rim
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved arthroscopic tool and method for labrum repair procedure.
Example 1. An arthroscopic tool for a labrum repair procedure, comprising: a cannulated working channel having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the working channel proximal end has a terminal edge and a terminal opening through the working channel proximal end, wherein the terminal edge is located entirely at a location proximal with respect to the working channel; wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along at least a distal portion of the working channel, and wherein the working channel proximal end is arranged at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and a holding element located at the proximal end of the working channel, the holding element including at least one supporting surface for simultaneously: supporting a labrum; and allowing passage of a drill through both the labrum and a bone adjacent the labrum during the arthroscopic labrum repair procedure.
Example 2. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance to example
1, also comprising an anchor cassette adapted to be attached to the working channel.
Example 3. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance to example
2, and wherein the anchor cassette includes at least two anchors, which are linked together by a surgical suture.
Example 4. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the holding element has a distal end adapted to be securely attached to the proximal end of the working channel.
Example 5. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the working channel proximal end defines a slanted edge.
Example 6. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with example 5, wherein the holding element is adapted to be attached to the proximal end of the working channel at the slanted edge.
Example 7. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the holding element includes an upwardly facing raised portion adapted to support treated tissue during the labrum repair procedure.
Example 8. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with example 7, wherein the holding element includes a concave surface distal to the upwardly facing raised portion, the concave surface adapted to support the treated tissue during the labrum repair procedure.
Example 9. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the holding element is selectably positionable at various angles with respect to the working channel. Example 10. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the working channel is adapted for the passage of at least one surgical drill through the working channel.
Example 11. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with example 10, wherein the holding element is positionable relative to the working channel such that the surgical drill passing through the working channel will pass through a portion of the labrum supported on the at least one supporting surface.
Example 12. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with either one of examples 2 and 3, wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along at least a distal portion of the working channel, and wherein the anchor cassette is arranged along the working channel longitudinal axis.
Example 13. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of examples 2-3 and 12, wherein the anchor cassette is mounted onto the working channel.
Example 14. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the arthroscopic tool includes a guide attached to a portion of the working channel, the guide adapted to guide insertion of at least one anchor into the portion of the working channel.
Example 15. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with example 14, wherein the guide has a closed orientation and wherein the working channel is sized and shaped for positioning of the drill inside the working channel when the guide is in the closed orientation.
Example 16. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with either one of examples 14 and 15, wherein, when the guide is in the closed orientation, the at least one anchor is prevented from being released into the working channel.
Example 17. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the working channel is sized and shaped for insertion of a pusher into the working channel, the pusher is proximally displaceable to secure at least one anchor into a bone.
Example 18. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the terminal opening has a shape corresponding to a crosssection of the working channel, the cross-section taken through the working channel longitudinal axis, the cross-section taken at angle relative to the working channel proximal end. Example 19. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein a most proximal end of the working channel defines a plane, and wherein the terminal opening defines a surface parallel with the plane.
Example 20. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the holding element allows aligning the labrum and the bone adjacent the labrum.
Example 21. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, wherein the holding element is rotatable about the working channel longitudinal axis.
Example 22. An arthroscopic tool for a labrum repair procedure, comprising: a cannulated working channel having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the working channel proximal end has a terminal edge and a terminal opening through the working channel proximal end, wherein the terminal edge is located entirely at a location proximal with respect to the working channel; wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along at least a distal portion of the working channel, and wherein the working channel proximal end is arranged at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and a holding element located at the proximal end of the working channel, the holding element including at least one supporting surface for supporting a labrum during the arthroscopic labrum repair procedure; wherein the holding element includes an upwardly facing raised portion adapted to support treated tissue during the labrum repair procedure, and wherein the holding element includes a concave surface distal to the upwardly facing raised portion, the concave surface adapted to support the treated tissue during the labrum repair procedure.
Example 23. An arthroscopic tool for a labrum repair procedure, comprising: a cannulated working channel having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the working channel proximal end has a terminal edge and a terminal opening through the working channel proximal end, wherein the terminal edge is located entirely at a location proximal with respect to the working channel; wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along at least a distal portion of the working channel, and wherein the working channel proximal end is arranged at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and a holding element located at the proximal end of the working channel, the holding element including at least one supporting surface for simultaneously: supporting a labrum; and allowing passage of a drill through both the labrum and a bone adjacent the labrum during the arthroscopic labrum repair procedure; wherein the arthroscopic tool also comprises an anchor cassette adapted to be attached to the working channel, and wherein the anchor cassette includes at least two anchors.
Example 24. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with example 23, wherein the at least two anchors are linked together by a surgical suture.
Example 25. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance to any one of the preceding examples 1-21 and 23-24, wherein the supporting surface allows passage of the drill through both the labrum and one of: an acetabular bone; and a glenoid bone.
Example 26. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples 1-16, wherein the tool is used as a working channel for at least one of the drill, a pusher, a suture passer, and a suture cutter.
Example 27. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of the preceding examples, the tool including a distal tube portion and an attached proximal tube portion, wherein the working channel extends through the distal tube portion and the proximal tube portion.
Example 28. An arthroscopic tool for a labrum repair procedure, comprising: a cannulated working channel having a proximal portion with a proximal end and a distal portion, wherein a continuous bore extends through the working channel proximal and distal portions, wherein the working channel proximal end has a terminal edge and a terminal opening through the working channel proximal end, wherein the terminal edge is located entirely at a location proximal with respect to the working channel; wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along the distal portion of the working channel, wherein the continuous bore includes a distal bore portion formed through the working channel distal portion and a proximal bore portion formed through the working channel proximal portion, and wherein the proximal bore portion is arranged at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and a holding element located at the proximal end of the working channel, the holding element including at least one supporting surface for supporting a labrum during the arthroscopic labrum repair procedure.
Example 29. An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure in accordance with any one of examples 23-28, wherein the holding element includes an upwardly facing raised portion adapted to support treated tissue during the labrum repair procedure, and wherein the holding element includes a concave surface distal to the upwardly facing raised portion, the concave surface adapted to support the treated tissue during the labrum repair procedure.
Example 30. An arthroscopic tool for a labrum repair procedure, comprising: a cannulated working channel having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the working channel proximal end has a terminal edge and a terminal opening through the working channel proximal end, wherein the terminal edge is located entirely at a location proximal with respect to the working channel; wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along at least a distal portion of the working channel, and wherein the working channel proximal end is arranged at a non- zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and a holding element adapted to be attached to the proximal end of the working channel, the holding element including at least one supporting surface for supporting a labrum during the arthroscopic labrum repair procedure.
Example 31. An arthroscopic tool for a tissue repair procedure, comprising: a cannulated working channel having a proximal portion with a proximal end and a distal portion, wherein a continuous bore extends through the working channel proximal and distal portions, wherein the working channel proximal end has a terminal edge and a terminal opening through the working channel proximal end, wherein the terminal edge is located entirely at a location proximal with respect to the working channel; wherein the working channel has a longitudinal axis along the distal portion of the working channel, wherein the continuous bore includes a distal bore portion formed through the working channel distal portion and a proximal bore portion formed through the working channel proximal portion, and wherein the proximal bore portion is arranged at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the working channel is sized and shaped for insertion of a pusher into the working channel, the pusher is proximally displaceable to secure a plurality of anchors into a bone, the plurality of anchors linked together by a surgical suture. Example 32. An arthroscopic tool for a tissue repair procedure in accordance with example 31, wherein the tissue repair procedure is a labrum repair procedure, the tool including: a holding element located at the proximal end of the working channel, the holding element including at least one supporting surface for simultaneously: supporting the labrum; and allowing passage of a drill through both the labrum and a bone adjacent the labrum during the arthroscopic labrum repair procedure.
Example 33. A method for repairing a labrum, the method including: supporting a labrum on a supporting surface of a tool; and passing a drill through a working channel of the tool such that the drill passes through both the labrum and a bone adjacent the labrum.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of typical anatomical structure of the hip joint;
Fig. 2 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a surgical procedure for labrum repair procedure;
Figs. 3A & 3B are simplified exploded and sectional exploded views respectively of a tool for labrum repair procedure constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 4A & 4B are simplified side and sectional views of a distal tube portion of the tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3 A & 3B;
Figs. 5 A & 5B are simplified side and sectional views of a proximal tube portion of the tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3A & 3B; Fig. 6 is a simplified side view of a holding member of the tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3A & 3B1;
Fig. 7 is a simplified partial cutaway illustration of an anchor cassette adapted for attachment to the tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3 A & 3B;
Figs. 8 A & 8B are simplified side and sectional views of the assembled tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3A & 3B;
Fig. 9 is a simplified side view illustration and an enlargement of the tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3 A & 3B with a drill, shown within the bone of a patient;
Fig. 10 is a simplified side view illustration and an enlargement of the tool for labrum repair procedure of Figs. 3A & 3B with a drill, shown within the bone of a patient.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
A tool for labrum repair procedure is disclosed herein, which is particularly useful for attaching a soft tissue to a bone, such as for example attachment of the labrum to the acetabular bone or attachment of a labrum to the glenoid bone.
Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which illustrates typical anatomical structures of the hip joint. A normal hip joint structure is seen in illustration A of Fig. 1, where the femoral bone is partially inserted into the acetabular bone. A pathological structure of the hip joint is seen in illustration B of Fig. 1, where the femoral bone is enlarged and thus the hip joint is prevented from proper functioning. An additional pathological structure of the hip joint is seen in illustration C of Fig. 1, where the acetabular bone is enlarged and thus the hip joint is prevented from proper functioning. Yet additional pathological structure of the hip joint is seen in illustration D of Fig. 1, where both the femoral and the acetabular bone is enlarged and thus the hip joint is prevented from proper functioning.
The surgical procedure currently known in the art involves partially detaching the labrum, which is disposed between the femoral and the acetabular bone, from the bone, repairing the pathological bone structure and then re-attaching the labrum to the bone using sutures that encircle the labrum in order to attach it to the bone. It is known that sutures disposed around the labrum are traumatic for the patient and can cause difficult healing or wear of the joint.
It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that the suture is passed through the labrum instead of encircling the labrum, thus providing for easier healing and proper functioning of the hip joint. It is appreciated that similar surgical procedure may be performed on a labrum disposed between the glenoid and the humerus head bone of the shoulder joint.
Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which is a simplified flow chart illustrating a surgical procedure for labrum repair procedure.
As seen in Fig. 2, a tool 100 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the body of a patient and is adapted to support the labrum. A bore is drilled in the bone through the tool 100 via the labrum, using drilling element, such as K-wire for example.
It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that the tool 100 is used as a working channel for various surgical tools, such as a drill, a pusher, suture passer, suture cutter.
It is further seen in Fig. 2 that a 1st anchor is inserted through tool 100 via the labrum into the bone of the patient. An additional bore is drilled in another location in the bone of a patient. Further, a 2nd anchor is inserted through tool 100 via the labrum into the additional bore in the bone of the patient. It is appreciated that any desired number of anchors may be inserted into the bone of the patient in order to securely attach the labrum to the bone. It is appreciated that each anchors has a suture attached thereto.
It is appreciated that at least four anchors are used during a single procedure, thus steps 2 - 7 of the procedure are repeated as required.
Following insertion of the desired number of anchors, the sutures of the anchors are tightened and the residual suture material is cut.
It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that all steps of the procedure are performed without removing the tool 100 from the initial insertion site, thus enabling the surgeon to perform the entire procedure through a single working channel and obviating the need for re-locating the treatment site following each step in the procedure. The tool 100 preferably operatively engages the labrum during various stages of the procedure.
Reference is now made to Figs. 3A & 3B, which are simplified exploded and sectional exploded views respectively of a tool for labrum repair procedure 100 constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
It is seen in Figs. 3A & 3B that a hollow distal tube portion 102 is adapted to be attached to a proximal tube portion 104, both are adapted to be arranged along a longitudinal axis 105. A guiding element 103 is adapted to be attached to the distal tube portion 102 for guiding insertion of anchors into the distal tube portion 102. A holding member 106 is adapted to be attached to the proximal tube portion 105 for supporting the tissue, for example the labrum, while manipulating various surgical tools at the treatment site.
It is appreciated that proximal tube portion 104 and distal tube portion 102 are alternatively formed as a single integrally made element.
An anchor cassette 110 is adapted to be attached to the distal tube portion 102 and secured thereon using typically two retaining elements 112. A cover 114 is adapted to be partially inserted into the distal end of the anchor cassette 110 for centering surgical tools that are adapted to pass through the tool for labrum repair procedure 100.
Reference is now made to Figs. 4A & 4B, which are simplified side and sectional views of a distal tube portion 102 of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B.
It is seen in Figs. 4A & 4B that the distal tube portion 102 is preferably an integrally made element arranged along longitudinal axis 105 and having a longitudinal bore 120 extending therethrough. It is further seen that an opening 122 is formed on the circumference of distal tube portion 102 for insertion of surgical anchors into the longitudinal bore 120.
Reference is now made to Figs. 5A & 5B, which are simplified side and sectional views of a proximal tube portion 102 of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B.
It is seen in Figs. 5A & 5B that the proximal tube portion 104 is preferably an integrally made element partially arranged along longitudinal axis 105. A proximal end 126 thereof is preferably arranged at an angle with respect to a main portion 128 of the proximal tube portion 104. A longitudinal bore 130 is formed through main portion 128 and bore 132 is formed through proximal end 126. The proximal end 126 defines a slanted edge 134.
Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which is a simplified side view of the holding member 106 of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B.
It is seen in Fig. 6 that the holding element 106 is preferably an integrally made element. Holding element 106 preferably has a concave surface 140 and an upwardly facing raised portion 142 disposed proximally thereto for supporting the treated tissue. The distal end 144 of the holding element 106 is adapted to be securely attached to the proximal tube portion 104 of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100.
It is appreciated that the holding element 106 may be rotatably attached to the proximal tube portion 104 of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100.
Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which is a simplified partial cutaway illustration of an anchor cassette 110 adapted for attachment to the tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B. It is seen that anchor cassette is arranged along longitudinal axis 105 and includes a longitudinal bore 148 adapted for mounting of the anchor cassette onto the distal tube portion 102.
In this particular example shown in Fig. 7, anchors 150, 152 and 154 are disposed within the anchor cassette, alternatively any other number of anchors can be disposed within the anchor cassette and at least two of the anchors are attached by a surgical suture (not shown). Preferably the anchors 150, 152 and 152 are supported by a spring (not shown).
It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that typically two linked anchors, such as 150 and 152 are disposed within the anchor cassette, the anchors 150 and 152 are attached one to another by a suture. Alternatively, each of the anchors is disposed separately in the anchor cassette 110.
It is appreciated that the anchor cassette is disposable and once anchors are removed therefrom, a new anchor cassette 110 is adapted to be mounted onto the tool for labrum repair procedure 110.
Reference is now made to Figs. 8A & 8B, which are simplified side and sectional views of the assembled tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B.
It is seen in Figs. 8A & 8B that distal tube portion 102 is attached to proximal tube portion 104 or integrally made therewith and the holding element 106 is in turn attached to proximal tube portion 104. The holding element 106 can be rotatably adjustable with respect to the proximal tube portion 104, such that the holding portion 106 can be positioned at various angles with respect to the proximal tube portion 104.
The cover 114 is securely attached to the distal end of the distal tube portion 102 for centering surgical tools that are adapted to be entered into the tool 100.
It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present invention that longitudinal bore 120, bore 130 and bore 132 form a working channel through which surgical tools can be passed and the holding element 106 is integrally formed therewith, so that the soft tissue may be retained and supported by the concave surface 140 and raised portion 142.
The anchor cassette 110 is preferably secured around the distal tube portion 102, such that anchors 150, 152 and 154 are disposed adjacent guiding element 103 and slightly distally thereto. Guiding element 103 is closed when a surgical tool is inserted through the working channel, and once the surgical tool is removed from the working channel, the guiding element 103 is allowed to be opened and at least one of anchors 150, 152 and 154 are released and guided into the working channel defined by bores 120, 130 and 132. Reference is now made to Fig. 9, which is a simplified side view illustration and an enlargement of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B with a drill, shown within the bone of a patient.
It is seen in Fig. 9 that a drill 202, such as a K-wire, is passed through the working channel of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100. The proximal tip of the drill 202 extends through the labrum into the bone 200 of the patient while the holding element 106 supports the labrum.
It is noted that as long as the drill 202 is positioned within the working channel the guiding element 103 is closed and anchors are prevented from being released into the working channel.
Reference is now made to Fig. 10, which is a simplified side view illustration and an enlargement of the tool for labrum repair procedure 100 of Figs. 3A & 3B with a pusher, shown within the bone of a patient.
It is seen in Fig. 10 that a guiding element 103 allows releasing of a single or a plurality of anchors, such as anchors 150, 152 and 154 to be released into the working channel and then a pusher 204 is inserted into the working channel and displaced proximally in order to secure the anchors into the bone 200 of the patient while passing through the labrum.
It is appreciated that each of the anchors can be inserted into each drilled bore separately. Alternatively, two anchors or more can be linked by a suture, thus one suture is adapted to be inserted into a first bore and another suture is adapted to be inserted into a second bore and then the suture is tightened to provide for a footprint, providing greater pressure exerted on the labrum, thus attaching the labrum to the rim of the acetabular or the glenoid bone.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which are not in the prior art.
In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety