Patent ID: 8753372
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A tissue anchor formed of a material which is compatible for location in human and/or animal muscle and/or ligament tissue and/or tissue, the anchor comprising: a base and a head, the head including a plurality of tapered prongs that form a barbed configuration to facilitate insertion of the head into the tissue and retention of the anchor following insertion of the head in the tissue, the base including an aperture having a longitudinal length between a first side and a second side and a locking element, said locking element extending from said first side of the aperture to terminate at a free end closely adjacent to said second side of the aperture to define a space between the free end of the locking element and the second side of the aperture for receiving a filamentary element, the locking element arranged to flex in a first direction out of the plane of the aperture and be resistant to movement in a second direction out of the plane of the aperture, the locking element having a first face facing the first direction and a second face facing the second direction, the locking element further including a set of teeth arranged to engage with the filamentary element when it is pulled in the second direction through the space, the set of teeth are defined by spaced slots extending from the first face to the second face, the set of teeth and flexure of the locking element thereby permitting the filamentary element to be pulled in the first direction through the space whilst preventing the filamentary element from being pulled in the second direction through the space, wherein the free end of the locking element has a convex arcuate configuration and the space is annular.