Corkscrew suture anchor and driver
US5626613A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 6, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/4695
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A corkscrew suture anchor has a spiral-shaped body having a hollow central core, a distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end of the spiral body terminates in a sharp point, and the proximal end of the spiral-shaped body has an eye for receiving suture. The suture anchor expands resiliently during installation, and contracts to securely grip the bone once the installation force is relaxed. A driver for the suture anchor is provided, the driver including a shaft having a central axis, a length, a distal end, and a proximal end. The shaft is provided at its distal end with a stud aligned with the central axis of the shaft, for insertion into the hollow, central axis of the spiral-shaped body of the suture anchor, and a notch disposed adjacent to the stud for driveably engaging the proximal end of the spiral-shaped body. Suture threaded through the suture eye is threaded through the hollow tubular shaft, and an elastic plug pushed into the proximal end of the hollow tubular shaft holds the threaded suture in place under tension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.