Abstract:
The present invention relates to a threaded suture anchor for use in securing tissue to bone. The present invention further relates to the combination of a suture anchor and a suture without the need to tie a knot in the suture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a threaded suture anchor for use in securing tissue to bone. The present invention further relates to the combination of a suture anchor and a suture without the need to tie a knot in the suture. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Prior art suture anchors used in orthopedic surgery fall into two different categories. The first category is screw in suture anchors. The second category is suture anchors which are hammered into the bone. Prior art screw in suture anchors require a surgeon to tie knots in the suture. Such knot tying often requires arthroscopic techniques. It is often extremely difficult and time consuming to tie a secure knot using arthroscopic techniques. 
   The other category of suture anchors are hammered into a hole that is predrilled into the bone. The suture anchors are impacted or hammered into the glenoid. One of these “hammered in” suture anchors is a knotless anchor. The term “knotless anchors,” as used herein, refers to a suture anchor that can be securely affixed to a suture and the suture affixed to tissue without tying a knot in the suture. 
   The present invention eliminates the need to tie knots in the suture and takes advantage of the superior fixation strength inherent in a screw in type of suture anchor. The present invention is thus easier to use and appropriate for use in the humeral head or other areas of cancellous bone. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed toward a suture anchor. The suture anchor comprises an outer conical member comprising a first end region comprising a top annular surface having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The outer conical member further comprises a second end region opposite the first end region, screw like threads mounted on the conical member and a central channel extending longitudinally through the entire length of the conical member. The diameter of the first end region is greater than the diameter of the second region of the outer conical member. 
   The invention further comprises an anchoring member rotatably affixed in the central channel. The anchoring member has an upper end region extending out of the channel. The upper end region comprises a suture securing receptacle. The anchoring member further comprises a lower end region opposite the upper end region and extending beyond the second end region of said outer conical member. Multiple suture anchors of the design of the present invention may be employed to secure tissue to bone. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is top view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is cross sectional view of the outer conical member of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a hexagonal head. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is directed toward a suture anchor. The suture anchor of the present invention comprises an outer conical member  10  comprising a first end region  11  comprising a top annular surface  12  having an inner diameter  13  and an outer diameter  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In a preferred embodiment, the top annular surface comprises a first groove  17  extending across the diameter of the top annular surface, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In another preferred embodiment, the top surface comprises the second groove  19  extending across the diameter of the top annular surface and oriented perpendicular to the first groove, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   In other embodiments, the top surface can be shaped and sized to mate with a wrench. Applicable shapes include a square and a hexagon. An open end or box end wrench can be used to apply torque to the outer conical member in order screw it into or out of a bone. 
   The outer conical member further comprises a second end region  16  opposite the first end region, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Screw like threads  18  are mounted on the conical member, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The outer conical member further comprises a central channel  20  extended longitudinally through the entire length of the conical member, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In a preferred embodiment, the threads are large enough to purchase cancellous bone. In a preferred embodiment, these threads have a spread of 5–6 millimeters. 
   The invention further comprises an anchoring member  22  rotatably attached in the central channel. This rotational affixation allows the anchoring member to rotate freely, thereby permitting the outer conical member to be advanced into the bone without twisting a suture attached to the anchoring member. The anchoring member has an upper end region  21  extending out of the channel, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The upper end region has a suture securing receptacle  24 . In one preferred embodiment, the suture securing receptacle is a hook, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, the hook has a diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the top annular surface, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In another preferred embodiment, the suture securing receptacle is an eyelet, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, a suture is manufactured as a closed loop affixed to the suture securing receptacle. 
   The anchoring member further has a lower end region  23  opposite the first end region and extending beyond the second end region of said outer conical member. 
   The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.