Patent ID: 6139565
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
A surgical suture anchor assembly, comprising:an elongated, generally cylindrical member extending along a central axis and having a maximum outer diameter D, said member including a threaded anchor portion at a first end thereof rigidly coupled to a suture/drive portion at a second end thereof, said second end being opposite said first end,wherein said anchor portion has a tip which tapers to a point, and a self-tapping threaded pattern on the outer surface thereof, said pattern extending at least from points near said first end, and:A. includes at least one eyelet through said suture/drive portion, said eyelet having a central aperture, whereby a suture path extending between two end points is defined by a region adjacent to said second end, through said aperture of said eyelet and back to said region adjacent to said second end, wherein the end points of said suture path are less than a distance equal to D'/2 from said central axis, where D' is less than or equal to said maximum outer diameter D; andB. is adapted for insertion into a distal tip of a cannulated driver rotatable about a drive axis,whereby said cylindrical member and said distal tip are mechanically coupled for mutual rotation with said drive axis and said central axis being coaxial when said suture/drive portion is inserted into said distal tip of said driver.