Improved slotted suture anchor

Abstract

Abstract A suture anchor (10) for securing a suture (20) to body tissue (38) in an arthroscopic surgical procedure. The suture anchor is an elongated tubular member (12) having first and second ends (14,16). The distal or terminal end (24) of the suture is secured to the first or leading end (14) of the suture anchor (10) with the suture (20) extending through the suture anchor (10). A slot (18) is formed on the suture anchor (10) which extends from the second or trailing end (16) of the suture anchor (10) toward the leading end (14) of the suture anchor (10). The suture anchor (10) is inserted in a first position with the suture (20) extending through the suture anchor (10) from the leading end (14) of the suture anchor (10) to the trailing end (16). The suture (20) shifts from the first position approximately 90 degrees to a second position wherein the suture (20) extends from the leading end (14) of the anchor to the base (26) of the slot (18) with the length of the suture anchor (10) extending transverse to the free end (25) of the suture (20) located outside of the suture anchor (10). The method disclosed includes the steps of inserting the suture anchor (10) with the suture (20) extending longitudinally through the anchor (10) and shifting the orientation of the anchor (10) until the suture (20) extends through a slot (18) in the anchor (10) with the anchor (10) disposed in the body tissue (38) generally transverse to the free end (25) of the suture. A series of stop members, such as spheres, ribs or ridges (50, 72, 92), can be molded or placed on the suture (20) for mating with a locking member (52, 74, 90) in order to hold torn or fractured pieces of body tissue together until they are reattached or healed. <IMAGE>

Inventors

• 👤 John O. Hayhurst
• 👤 Alan A. Small
• 👤 Jeffrey C. Cerier

Bibliographic Details