Patent ID: 7217280

Claim:
A system for anchoring a suture to live human bone through a substantially cylindrical bone hole having a longitudinal axis, said system comprising: an insertion tool having a substantially straight elongated body, and a flexible insertion end flexibly insertable inside a bore of a suture anchor and having properties for returning to an initial configuration, said insertion tool being provided with structure demarcating the insertion end from the body to prevent the body from entering the bore, a diameter of the insertion end being sufficient to provide secure fit within the bore of the suture anchor, and the diameter of the demarcating structure being larger than the bore to limit movement of the insertion end through the bore; and a substantially rigid suture anchor having a bore through which the insertion end of said insertion tool is positionable; wherein said suture anchor is shaped and the bore is oriented such that the insertion end of said insertion tool bends away from its initial configuration during insertion of said suture anchor through cortical bone tissue and returns to its initial configuration when said suture anchor is positioned within cancellous bone tissue.