System and method for securing tissue to bone

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue capture anchor is described that includes an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and spreader and inside surfaces of a bone hole to secure the tissue within the hole. A bone anchor is described that includes an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. The spreader captures tissue via a suture loop at the distal end of the bone anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the anchor into bone and move the spreader within the anchor to expand the anchor and capture the tissue between the anchor and the bone. Methods are described that allow the use of bone anchors to secure tissue to bone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue capture anchor and inserter combination comprising:
 an anchor comprising: an expandable anchor body; and a spreader configured for displacement along an axis of the anchor body between a first position and a second position, the spreader comprising: a plurality of spikes configured to engage with tissue; and an angled portion configured to expand the anchor body as the spreader is advanced from the first position to the second position;   a handle;   an outer tube coupled to the handle;   an inner rod or tube positioned within the outer tube and coupled to the spreader;   an actuator shaft positioned within the handle and coupled to the inner rod; and   a deployment knob coupled to the handle and the actuator shaft and configured to move the actuator shaft relative to the handle and the inner rod or tube relative to the outer tube;   wherein the inserter tool is configured to draw the spreader into the bone anchor to fully deploy the tissue capture anchor and secure tissue to the bone.   
     
     
         2 . A method of attaching soft tissue to bone, comprising:
 engaging the soft tissue with a bone anchor, wherein the anchor comprises:
 a spreader having a tissue engaging element, wherein the tissue engaging element comprises a plurality of spikes; and 
 an anchor body comprising expandable tines; 
 inserting the anchor and engaged tissue into the bone; and 
 deploying the anchor to secure it and the soft tissue in the bone. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises making a clearance hole for the tissue capture anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the clearance hole is made in the bicipital groove. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the clearance hole is made inferior to the bicipital groove. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the clearance hole is sized to receive an anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises making a bone hole for the tissue capture anchor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bone hole is made with a drill. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bone hole is made with a reamer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bone hole is made with the tip of the spreader. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising clearing the bone of any soft tissue in the region of the bone hole. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the tendon is folded around the anchor longitudinally. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein deploying the anchor additionally comprises expanding the anchor body to secure the tissue to the bone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expandable tines comprise teeth configured to engage the bone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the tissue is secured without the use of sutures or knots. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method is conducted arthroscopically. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method comprises a sub-pectoral procedure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein engaging the tissue and inserting the anchor comprises moving the anchor into the bone so as to capture the soft tissue into the bone. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the soft tissue is secured within the bone by forcing the anchor within the bone after the tissue has been engaged by the anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the tissue becomes secured within the tissue capture anchor once the anchor is deployed. 
     
     
         21 . A method of attaching soft tissue to bone in a sub-pectoral procedure, comprising:
 creating an incision on an inferior border of the pectoralis major muscle;
 engaging the soft tissue with a bone anchor through the incision, wherein the anchor comprises:
 a spreader having a tissue engaging element; and 
 an anchor body comprising expandable tines; 
 
 inserting the anchor and engaged tissue into the bone; and 
 deploying the anchor to secure it and the soft tissue in the bone. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises making a clearance hole for the tissue capture anchor. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the clearance hole is made inferior to the bicipital groove. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the clearance hole is sized to receive an anchor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises making a bone hole for the tissue capture anchor. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the bone hole is made with a drill. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the bone hole is made with a reamer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the bone hole is made with the tip of the spreader. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising clearing the bone of any soft tissue in the region of the bone hole. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tendon is folded around the anchor longitudinally. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein deploying the anchor additionally comprises expanding the anchor body to secure the tissue to the bone. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the expandable tines comprise teeth configured to engage the bone. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue is secured without the use of sutures or knots. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein engaging the tissue and inserting the anchor comprises moving the anchor into the bone so as to capture the soft tissue into the bone. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the soft tissue is secured within the bone by forcing the anchor within the bone after the tissue has been engaged by the anchor. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the tissue becomes secured within the tissue capture anchor once the anchor is deployed. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue engaging element comprises a single pointed tip. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue engaging element comprises a suture loop. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue engaging element comprises a plurality of spikes.