Patent ID: 7713286
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suture anchor for insertion into a cylindrical bone hole to anchor a suture to bone, the suture anchor comprising: a distal body portion defining a longitudinal axis, the distal body portion having a diameter sufficient to fit in said bone hole, being insertable into the bone holes and defining a radially outwardly projecting anchoring member operable to retain the suture anchor in the bone hole; and a proximal body portion integrally formed with and extending longitudinally from the distal body portion, the proximal body portion having opposed gripping portions moveable transversely between an open position and a closed position, the gripping portions defining a transverse, suture receiving aperture between them for receiving a transversely oriented section of at least one suture, wherein the aperture is relatively larger and able to receive the suture, in two-way, free sliding relationship when the gripping portions are in the open position, wherein the aperture is relatively smaller and able to grip the suture in gripping relationship so the suture is prevented from moving in any direction when the gripping portions are in the closed position, wherein the proximal body portion is responsive to insertion into the bone hole to move the gripping portions from the open to the closed position as the suture anchor is pushed into the bone hole, wherein the proximal body portion has a maximum transverse dimension in the open position, the proximal body portion has a smaller maximum transverse position in the closed position, and the anchoring member has a maximum transverse dimension smaller than the maximum transverse dimension of the proximal body portion in the open position, wherein the gripping portions form a top surface portion of the transverse aperture that encloses a portion of the transverse aperture in the proximal direction, and wherein the gripping portions extend over and beyond the transverse aperture while the suture anchor is in the open position so the transversely oriented section of each suture is prevented from exiting the aperture longitudinally.