Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A suture anchor comprising: (a) a substantially frusto-conical device having first and second axial ends and a side surface extending therebetween, said first axial end having a diameter larger than said second axial end; and (b) a passage within said device for allowing suture to be threaded therethrough, said passage extending from said second axial end to said side surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A suture anchor comprising: (a) a substantially frusto-conical device having first and second axial ends and a side surface extending therebetween, said first axial end having a diameter larger than said second axial end; and (b) a passage within said device for allowing suture to be threaded therethrough, said passage extending from said second axial end to said side surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suture anchor according to claim 1, wherein said passage opens on said side surface closer to said second axial end than to said first axial end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A suture anchor according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said side surface is corrugated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suture anchor according to claim 3, wherein a bore is provided within said first axial end for receiving driver means for embedding said anchor in bone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A suture anchor according to claim 4, wherein said bore is internally threaded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A suture anchor according to claims 1 or 2, wherein a bore is provided within said first axial end for receiving driver means for embedding said anchor in bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A suture anchor according to claim 6, wherein said bore is internally threaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A suture anchor according to claim 6, wherein said side surface is corrugated.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of anchoring suture to a bone so that tissue may be secured to the bone by the suture, comprising the steps of: (a) passing a length of suture through the tissue; (b) delivering the ends of the suture to a suture anchor of the type comprising: (1) a substantially frusto-conical device having first and second axial ends and a side surface extending therebetween, said first axial end having a diameter larger than said second axial end; and (2) a passage within said device for allowing suture to be threaded therethrough, said passage extending from said second axial end to said side surface; (c) threading the suture ends through said passage in a direction from the second axial end of the device towards said side surface; (d) grasping the suture ends and applying tension thereto to draw the tissue against said bone; (e) inserting the suture anchor, second axial end first, into a bore in said bone, the bore having a diameter greater than that of the second axial end and less than that of said first axial end; and (f) forcing the anchor into the bore until the suture is captured between the bone and the side surface of the suture anchor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of anchoring suture to a bone so that tissue may be secured to the bone by the suture, comprising the steps of: (a) passing a length of suture through the tissue; (b) delivering the ends of the suture to a suture anchor of the type comprising: (1) a substantially frusto-conical device having first and second axial ends and a side surface extending therebetween, said first axial end having a diameter larger than said second axial end; and (2) a passage within said device for allowing suture to be threaded therethrough, said passage extending from said second axial end to said side surface; (c) threading the suture ends through said passage in a direction from the second axial end of the device towards said side surface; (d) grasping the suture ends and applying tension thereto to draw the tissue against said bone; (e) inserting the suture anchor, second axial end first, into a bore in said bone, the bore having a diameter greater than that of the second axial end and less than that of said first axial end; and (f) forcing the anchor into the bore until the suture is captured between the bone and the side surface of the suture anchor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the tissue is located on an opposite side of the bone from the bore into which the anchor is inserted, said suture ends being delivered to the suture anchor through a hole in the bone which is coaxial with said bore.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
31 words
A method according to claims 9 or 10, further comprising the step of cutting the suture ends proximate said first axial end of the anchor after said suture has been captured.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
34 words
A method according to claims 9 or 10, further comprising the step of tying a knot in the suture ends proximate the first axial end of the anchor after said suture has been captured.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
35 words
A method according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the suture anchor is inserted and forced into the bore by a driver adapted to be removably secured to said first axial end of the anchor.