Knotless suture anchor

摘要

Methods and apparatus described herein provide for a knotless suture anchor that captures and secures a suture by pinching on an inserted suture with a flexible element disposed within the knotless suture anchors body. The knotless suture anchor has an integrated flexible element that is formed as a plastic part within the knotless suture anchor's body. The free end of the flexible element terminates near a suture eyelet and can be compressed by a driver rod that is inserted into the knotless suture anchor to allow for insertion of a suture. With the flexible element compressed by the driver rod, the suture can be passed through the eyelet(s). When the driver rod is withdrawn, the flexible element expands thereby pinching the suture against the eyelet(s). If the driver rod is reinserted, the flexible element is recompressed and the suture can thereby be released or adjusted.

主权项

1. A method for securing at least a portion of a suture to a suture anchor, the method comprising:
providing a suture anchor body including an internal cavity and a flexible member housed within the internal cavity, the flexible member including a spring element and a suture engagement element, proximal end of the spring element mechanically attached to the suture engagement element, the suture engagement element positioned in close proximity to a proximal edge of at least one suture slot when the spring element is in an uncompressed state, and a distal end of the spring element coupled to a distal portion of the internal cavity, the spring element comprising one from a group comprising: a helical coil spring element; and a zig-zag spring element, a distal end of the suture anchor body including an insertion tip, wherein the at least one suture slot is formed longitudinally in the body; threading the suture through the suture anchor body via the suture slot inserting a driver rod in the internal cavity and compressing the flexible member; and upon releasing the flexible member from a state of compression, securing the suture between the flexible member in a state of expansion and the suture slot; wherein at least one barb extends from an external surface of the suture anchor.