Patent ID: 8267963
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suture anchor member loading device, comprising: an anchor loading body having first and second portions shaped to prevent operator contact with a tip of a needle when manually loading a suture anchor member into a lumen of the needle; an anchor receiving portion disposed in the first portion of the body, the anchor receiving portion being shaped to receive and restrain the suture anchor member; a suture receiving portion disposed in the first portion of the body, the suture receiving portion extending from a first end in mechanical communication with the anchor receiving portion and a second end disposed on an outer surface of the body, the suture receiving portion extending away from the anchor receiving portion at an angle, wherein the suture receiving portion is shaped to receive a suture connected to the suture anchor member such that when the suture is tensioned the suture anchor member is translationally and rotationally restrained within the anchor receiving portion; a needle receiving portion disposed in the second portion of the body, wherein the needle receiving portion is shaped to slidably receive and guide the needle such that the suture anchor member is received into the lumen of the needle when the needle is slidably advanced through the needle receiving portion, wherein the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body are movably connected to each other, the body having a first configuration wherein the first and second portions are displaced from each other and a second configuration wherein the first and second portions are disposed adjacent each other such that the anchor receiving portion is disposed adjacent the needle receiving portion thereby allowing the suture anchor member to be inserted into the lumen of the needle when the needle is slidably advanced through the needle receiving portion.