Absorbable anchor for hernia mesh fixation

Abstract

A method of forming and deploying an improved absorbable anchor for hernia mesh fixation is disclosed. The absorbable anchor of the present invention functions to securely fasten tough, non macro-porous, and relative inelastic mesh to soft tissue. The anchor is formed from co-polymers of lactide and glycolide.

1 . An anchor for penetrating mesh and tissue and for fixing the mesh to the tissue, the anchor comprising:
 a threaded head section defines an outer periphery having a helical thread formed thereon and a pair of notches formed therein, wherein the pair of notches extend an entire length of the head section in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchor, the anchor being configured to be independently driven by a rotatable actuator engaging the pair of notches formed in the head section; and   a distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section being tapered and having a helical thread on at least a distal portion thereof, wherein a distal tip of the helical thread includes a tapering defining an angled blade configured to penetrate the mesh.   
     
     
         2 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh retention section disposed between the distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section and the threaded head section, the mesh retention portion having a diameter less than a diameter of a proximal-most thread of the distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section, wherein the mesh retention section inhibits longitudinal movement of a surgical mesh located therewithin. 
     
     
         3 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is configured to be independently driven by a rotatable actuator having a pair of elongate drivers that are configured to extend through the pair of notches. 
     
     
         4 . The anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the helical thread of the threaded head section causes the anchor to move axially upon a rotation of the rotatable actuator and due to an engagement of the helical thread of the threaded head section with an internal thread of an elongate tube of an applier. 
     
     
         5 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the helical thread of the threaded head section has a pitch that is smaller than a pitch of the helical thread of the threaded non-cannulated tissue snaring section. 
     
     
         6 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the angled blade comprises a point that is off set a radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section. 
     
     
         7 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a bio-absorbable polymer, either a homo polymer of either polylactide or polyglycolide or co-polymer of polylactide and polyglycolide. 
     
     
         8 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is comprised of a polymer that exhibits a young's modulus in the range of 150,000 to 2,000,000 PSI. 
     
     
         9 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor exhibits a tensile strength in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 PSI. 
     
     
         10 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is comprised of a polymer that exhibits an absorption time in vivo between 1.5 and 14 months. 
     
     
         11 . The anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor exhibits a glass transition temperature in the range of 40 to 60 degrees centigrade. 
     
     
         12 . An anchor for penetrating mesh and tissue and for fixing the mesh to the tissue, the anchor comprising:
 a threaded head section having a proximal end, a distal end and a periphery, the periphery having a helical thread projecting radially outward thereform and a pair of diametrically opposed notches formed therein, wherein the anchor is configured to be independently driven by a rotatable actuator having a pair of elongate drivers that are configured to extend through the pair of diametrically opposed notches; and   a distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section being tapered and having a helical thread on at least a distal portion thereof, the distal end of the helical thread tapering inwards to form an angled blade   
     
     
         13 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , further comprising a mesh retention section located between the distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section and the threaded head section, the mesh retention section having a diameter less than a proximal-most thread of the helical thread of the distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section, wherein the mesh retention section inhibits longitudinal movement of a surgical mesh located therewithin. 
     
     
         14 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the helical thread of the threaded head section causes the anchor to move axially upon a rotation of the rotatable actuator and due to an engagement of the helical thread of the threaded head section with an internal thread of an elongate tube of an applier. 
     
     
         15 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the helical thread of the threaded head section has a pitch that is smaller than a pitch of the helical thread of the threaded non-cannulated tissue snaring section. 
     
     
         16 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the angled blade comprises a point that is off set a radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the distal non-cannulated tissue snaring section. 
     
     
         17 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the anchor comprises a bio-absorbable polymer, either a homo polymer of either polylactide or polyglycolide or co-polymer of polylactide and polyglycolide. 
     
     
         18 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the anchor is comprised of a polymer that exhibits a young's modulus in the range of 150,000 to 2,000,000PSI. 
     
     
         19 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the anchor exhibits a tensile strength in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 PSI. 
     
     
         20 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the anchor is comprised of a polymer that exhibits an absorption time in vivo between 1.5 and 14 months. 
     
     
         21 . The anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the anchor exhibits a glass transition temperature in the range of 40 to 60 degrees centigrade. 
     
     
         22 . An anchor for penetrating mesh and tissue and for fixing the mesh to the tissue, the anchor comprising:
 a head section having a proximal end, a distal end and an edge, the edge having a helical thread projecting radially therefrom, the head section having notches formed therein and extending from the distal end to the proximal end thereof,   a non-cannulated body section connected to and extending from the distal end of the head section, the body section including a threaded portion and a retention portion, the threaded portion being tapered and having a helical thread projecting radially therefrom, and the retention portion located between the threaded portion and the head, the retention portion having a diameter less a proximal-most thread of the helical thread of the threaded portion, wherein the retention portion inhibits longitudinal movement of a surgical mesh located therein; and   a distal tip at a distal end of the threaded portion of the body section, wherein the helical thread of the threaded portion of the body section tapers inwardly towards the distal tip.   
     
     
         23 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor is configured to be independently driven by a rotatable actuator having a pair of elongate drivers that are configured to extend through the pair of notches. 
     
     
         24 . The anchor according to  claim 23 , wherein the helical thread of the threaded head section causes the anchor to move axially upon a rotation of the rotatable actuator and due to an engagement of the helical thread of the threaded head section with an internal thread of an elongate tube of an applier. 
     
     
         25 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the taper of the body section is one of linear, convex and concave. 
     
     
         26 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the helical thread of the head section has a pitch that is smaller than a pitch of the helical thread of the threaded portion of the body section. 
     
     
         27 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor comprises a bio-absorbable polymer, either a homo polymer of either polylactide or polyglycolide or co-polymer of polylactide and polyglycolide. 
     
     
         28 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor is comprised of a polymer that exhibits a young's modulus in the range of 150,000 to 2,000,000 PSI. 
     
     
         29 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor exhibits a tensile strength in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 PSI. 
     
     
         30 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor is comprised of a polymer that exhibits an absorption time in vivo between 1.5 and 14 months. 
     
     
         31 . The anchor according to  claim 22 , wherein the anchor exhibits a glass transition temperature in the range of 40 to 60 degrees centigrade.