United States Patent m
Hayhurst et al.
[54] LOCKING MECHANISM FOR USE WITH A SLOTTED SUTURE ANCHOR
[75] Inventors: John O. Hayhurst, Milwaukie, Oreg.;
Alan A. Small, Needham; Jeffrey C.
Cerier, Franklin, both of Mass.
[73] Assignee: American Cyanamid Company,
Wayne, N.J.
[21] Appl. No.: 681,129
[22] Filed: Apr. 5,1991
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 548,383, Jul. 2, 1990.
[51] Int. CI.' A61B 17/00
[52] U.S. CI 606/232; 606/220;
606/151
[58] Field of Search 606/72, 144, 145, 220,
606/151, 232; 411/508, 509, 510, 512; 24/136,
543
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,664,345 5/1923 Dabbs et al 128/335
3,745,772 11/1974 Smith 128/335
3,910,281 10/1975 Kletschka 128/335
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
US005269809A
[ii] Patent Number: 5,269,809 [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 14,1993
3,976,079 8/1976 Samuels et al 128/335
4,235,238 11/1980 Ogiu et al 606/145
4,532,926 8/1985 O'Holla 606/232
4,669,473 6/1987 Richards et al 606/220
4,688,561 8/1987 Reese 128/92
4,705,040 11/1987 Mueller et al 128/334
4,741,330 5/1988 Hayhurst 606/86
4,750,492 6/1988 Jacobs 128/335
4,898,156 2/1990 Gatturna et al 606/232
5,046,513 9/1991 Gatturna et al 606/232
5,078,731 1/1992 Hayhurst 606/232
5,100,417 3/1992 Cerier et al 606/232
Primary Examiner—Stephen C. Pellegrino
Assistant Examiner—Gary Jackson
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Douglas E. Denninger
[57] ABSTRACT
A locking mechanism having a locking element carried by one or more strands of suture material. One end of the suture is attachable to an anchor having a slot extending from a trailing end of the anchor toward a leading end. A portion of the suture is at least partially disposable in the slot. A separate locking member engages the locking element to secure tissue relative to the anchor.
37 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
