Patent ID: 6660008
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
Apparatus for attaching connective tissue to bone, comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, which is adapted to be inserted into a bone, said body having an outer peripheral wall extending substantially completely about said longitudinal axis and defining an inner lumen, said body including a plurality of spaced slits disposed about said outer peripheral wall, each of said slits having a length and lying at an acute angle relative to said longitudinal axis, wherein a distance x between two adjacent slits at a first location along the length of each of the slits is smaller than a distance y between said two adjacent slits at a second location along the length of each of the slits, and further wherein said plurality of spaced slits is sufficient in number such that when an axial length of said body is shortened, thereby causing a plurality of ribs which are disposed between each of said plurality of slits to each expand radially to form respective petals, each of said petals overlap adjacent ones thereof.