US 12,268,381 B2
Method for creating a tensionable and lockable suture anchor array for anatomical attachment of tissue to bone
Zak Zenz-Olson, Ham Lake, MN (US); Nathaniel Van Tran, Lakeville, MN (US); Thomas A. Westling, Orono, MN (US); David M. Crompton, St. Paul, MN (US); Howard W. Harris, Southlake, TX (US); and Patrick M. Connor, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to Integrity Orthopaedics, Inc., Maple Plain, MN (US)
Filed by Integrity Orthopaedics, Inc., Orono, MN (US)
Filed on Feb. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/681,490.
Application 17/681,490 is a continuation of application No. 17/551,779, filed on Dec. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,382,612.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/281,411, filed on Nov. 19, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/172,614, filed on Apr. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0323058 A1, Oct. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0401 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/0409 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0414 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for repairing a partial thickness or mixed partial thickness and full thickness tendon tear that includes creating an implanted serial array of tensioned and independently locked anchor to anchor suture stitches, the method comprising:
providing a first anchor having an end of a length of working suture affixed thereto;
providing a plurality of subsequent anchors, including a last subsequent anchor, pre-strung on the length of working suture, the plurality of subsequent anchors each having at least one passage therethrough with the working suture slidably and serially threaded through the at least one passage of each subsequent anchor, at least the last subsequent anchors further including a separate locking loop, wherein the separate locking loop encircles a portion of the length of the working suture adjacent the last subsequent anchor, the locking loop having a first position allowing the working suture to slide through the locking loop and a second position preventing the working suture sliding within the locking loop;
implanting the first anchor through a tendon and in a bone at a location in an original tendon footprint where there is not a full thickness tear;
implanting a first subsequent anchor in the bone spaced a selected distance from the first anchor, then applying tension to the working suture extending from the first anchor and passing through the first subsequent anchor;
implanting a second subsequent anchor in the bone spaced a selected distance from the first subsequent anchor, then applying tension to the working suture extending from the first subsequent anchor and passing through the second subsequent anchor to create a first serial single suture stitches;
repeating the implanting and tensioning steps for each subsequent serial anchor in the implanted serial array, except the last subsequent anchor, to create additional serial single suture stitches; and,
implanting the last subsequent anchor in the original tendon footprint at a location where there is not a full thickness tear, then tensioning the working suture extending from the last subsequent anchor to form a tensioned stitch, then applying tension to the separate locking loop to lock the working suture under tension, thereby locking the first serial single suture stitches.