Suture anchor assembly and methods
US5649963A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S606/916
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A suture anchor assembly is described which includes an elongated insertion stem and an approximately cylindrical anchoring dement having an axial channel for receiving the insertion stem. In its nonexpended state, the anchoring dement can be placed into a pre-drilled opening in a bone. An expander dement loaded onto the insertion stem is engaged with a proximal end of the anchoring element. The proximal end of the anchoring element is capable of talescoping movement over the distal end of the expander element so that resilient proximal portions of the anchoring element are forced outward against the expander element, causing the resilient proximal portions of the anchoring element to expand into the bone hole, fixing the anchoring element in a pressure fit firmly within the opening. A kit for emplacing and removing the suture anchor is also provided as well as methods for attaching a suture to a bone using the present assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.