Method and device for fixating a suture anchor with a suture in hard tissue

Abstract

A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for fixating a suture anchor with a suture in a hard tissue opening, the device comprising:
 the suture anchor having a proximal face, and   a securing element comprising a proximal face and a material having thermoplastic properties and being an element separate from the suture anchor or integrated in the suture anchor formed as a thermoplastic sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing element has an eyelet for retaining the suture. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the suture anchor has at least two axial grooves and a transversal groove at its distal end for accommodation of the suture. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring tool capable of being energized in a way suitable for liquefaction of the material having thermoplastic properties and having a distal face adapted to the proximal face of the securing element for transmission of energy to the securing element and for moving the securing element in an axial direction relative to the suture anchor, and
 a pusher tool having a distal face adapted to the proximal face of the suture anchor for engaging the suture anchor and for transmitting a pushing force to the suture anchor and/or for holding the suture anchor in a hard tissue opening during fixation of the suture anchor.   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , having a cannulated anchoring tool through which the pusher tool extends and wherein the pusher tool is fastened to the suture anchor by a push-on connection. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the suture anchor has at least one axial channel and the thermoplastic sleeve has an axial channel for retaining the suture. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the suture anchor comprises a proximal tube-shaped protrusion reaching into the axial channel of the securing element. 
     
     
         8 . A method for fixating a suture anchor with a suture in a hard tissue opening, the method comprising:
 introducing and temporarily holding the anchor with the suture in the hard tissue opening by a pusher tool, wherein the suture is retained by the suture anchor,   securing the anchor within the wall hard tissue opening with the aid of in situ liquefaction of a material having thermoplastic properties being part of a securing element separate from the suture anchor or integrated in the suture anchor and being formed as a sleeve, and   removing the pusher tool and the anchoring tool.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein, the suture anchor is forced into the hard tissue thereby producing the hard tissue opening. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the anchor has an eyelet for retaining the suture. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8  using an anchoring tool capable of being energized in a way suitable for liquefaction of the material having thermoplastic properties and having a distal face adapted to a proximal face of the securing element for transmission of energy to the securing element and for moving the securing element in an axial direction relative to the suture anchor, and using a pusher tool having a distal face adapted to a proximal face of the suture anchor for engaging the suture anchor and for transmitting a pushing force to the suture anchor and for holding the suture anchor in a hard tissue opening. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  using a cannulated anchoring tool through which the pusher tool extends and wherein the pusher tool is fastened to suture anchor by a push-on connection. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the suture anchor has at least one axial channel and the securing element has an axial channel for retaining the suture. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the suture anchor comprises a proximal tube-shaped protrusion reaching into the axial channel of the securing element. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 2 , having a cannulated anchoring tool through which the pusher tool extends and wherein the pusher tool is fastened to the suture anchor by a push-on connection.