Patent · US Expired

Suture anchor assembly and methods

US5797963A · kind A · utility

293Cited by
55References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 1995
Grant dateAug 25, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 6, 2015

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 element having an axial channel for receiving the insertion stem. In its nonexpended state, the anchoring element can be placed into a pre-drilled opening in a bone. An expander element 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 telescoping 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.