An integrated device for anchor replacement and biologic cement injection during rotator cuff repair.

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint (humerus). When rotator cuffs tear due to injury, suture anchors are typically employed to reattach the torn rotator cuff tissue back on to the humerus. However, for patients with bone abnormalities—namely, osteoporosis— current devices often lack fixation strength, ultimately causing postoperative loosening out of the suture anchor. Moreover, the use of biologic cement to augment anchor strength is uncommon due to difficulties associated with current suture anchor designs and the risk of releasing excess bone cement, which can lead to inflammation.

To improve the weak attachment of suture anchors in osteoporotic bones, the inventor designed a novel integrated device that implants an anchor and injects bone cement (calcium phosphate) during rotator cuff repair. Design of suture anchor and efficient injection of bone cement at same time improved the pull-out strength significantly relative to the existing anchors in saw bone model system.

• Addresses the issue of anchor pullout and loosening
• Improves safety and reliability of calcium phosphate injection for rotator cuff repair
• Uses a single device that integrates anchor driving and bone cement injection