Knotless suture anchor and method for knotlessly securing tissue

Claim 2

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining two suture portions in the retaining portion with a loop formed between the two suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of at least one of the two suture portions in the suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop in the suture retaining portion and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor.

Claim 3

The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes clamping of the two suture portions in the suture retaining portion.

Claim 4

The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein the suture retaining portion comprises a first clamping member, and wherein the shaft includes a distal head portion secured for proximal movement with the first clamping member, the first clamping member surrounding the shaft, the first clamping member being spaced from the shaft by a spacing sufficient to frictionally engage the at least one of the two suture portions.

Claim 5

The suture anchor of claim 3 , wherein the distal head portion includes at least one path therethrough for providing a convoluted path for the at least one of the two suture portions through the head portion to assist in securement of the at least one o the two suture portion in the suture retaining portion.

Claim 6

The suture anchor of claim 4 , wherein the distal head portion includes at least two paths therethrough for providing a convoluted path for the two suture portions through the head portion.

Claim 7

The suture anchor of claim 5 , wherein the two paths are disposed angularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and intersecting substantially along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 8

The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion includes at least one set of proximally directed deformable fingers which upon deformation are directed radially into the wall of the borehole.

Claim 9

The suture anchor of claim 1 , further comprising a frangible connection in the shaft for separating the anchor from a discardable portion of the shaft upon provision of a preset force to the shaft.

Claim 10

The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein the suture retaining portion comprises an opening in the shaft through which the two suture portions are routed and further comprising a clamping member clamping the two suture portions between the opening in the shaft and the clamping member.

Claim 11

The suture anchor of claim 9 , wherein when the shaft moves proximally to cause deformation of the deformable portion, the two suture portions are clamped between a distal wall of the opening and the clamping member disposed proximally with respect to the deformable portion and coaxially about the shaft.

Claim 12

The suture anchor of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is threaded to the deformable portion.

Claim 13

The suture anchor of claim 1 , further comprising at least one proximally disposed stop member directed proximally on a first concentric member surrounding the shaft for engagement with a shoulder on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft and the concentric member after deformation of the deformable portion.

Claim 14

The suture anchor of claim 1 , further comprising a cam surface for engagement with the deformable portion to cause deformation of the deformable portion upon proximal movement of the shaft.

Claim 15

The suture anchor of claim 13 , wherein the deformable portion comprises a plurality of proximally directed fingers for outward radial movement in the wall of the borehole upon proximal movement of the shaft and wherein the cam surface engages the fingers to move the fingers radially outwardly upon movement of the shaft.

Claim 16

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining two suture portions in the retaining portion with a loop formed between the two suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of at least one of the two suture portions in the suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop in the suture retaining portion and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor, wherein the suture retaining portion comprises a first retaining portion wherein one suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor and a second retaining portion wherein a second of the suture portions is clamped between first and second clamping portions.

Claim 17

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining two suture portions in the retaining portion with a loop formed between the two suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of at least one of the two suture portions in the suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop in the suture retaining portion and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor, wherein the suture retaining portion comprises a first retaining portion wherein one suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor and a second retaining portion wherein a second of the suture portions is clamped between first and second clamping portions.

Claim 18

The suture anchor of claim 15 , wherein the first and second clamping portions comprises the shaft and a concentric member surrounding the shaft, respectively, whereby upon proximal movement of the shaft to deform the deformable portion, the second suture portion is clamped between said concentric member surrounding the shaft and said shaft.

Claim 19

The suture anchor of claim 16 , wherein a spacing is provided between the shaft and concentric member sized so as to clamp the second suture portion therebetween.

Claim 20

The suture anchor of claim 17 , wherein the spacing is such that the second suture portion is compressed between the shaft and concentric member.

Claim 21

The suture anchor of claim 16 wherein the shaft and the concentric member each have aligned openings through which the second suture portion is routed prior to proximal movement of the shaft and wherein, after proximal movement of the shaft, the opening in the shaft is moved so that said opening in said shaft is at least partly obstructed by said concentric member to clamp the second suture portion between the concentric member and the shaft.

Claim 22

The suture anchor of claim 19 , wherein the opening in the shaft is covered by said concentric member upon proximal movement of the shaft thereby to clamp the second suture portion between the shaft and concentric member in a convoluted path.

Claim 23

The suture anchor of claim 20 , wherein the convoluted path is U-shaped.

Claim 24

The suture anchor of claim 15 , wherein the first retaining portion comprises a recess in the shaft for receiving a knot in the end of the suture, the knot being retained in the recess between the shaft and a retainer member surrounding the shaft.

Claim 25

The suture anchor of claim 22 wherein the retainer member comprises the deformable portion.

Claim 26

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining two suture portions in the retaining portion with a loop formed between the two suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; at least one proximally disposed stop member directed proximally on a first concentric member surrounding the shaft for engagement with a shoulder on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft and the concentric member after deformation of the deformable portion; and a cam surface on a second concentric member for engagement with the stop member to crimp said stop member radially inwardly securely against the shaft and in abutment with the shoulder, wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of at least one of the two suture portions in the suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop in the suture retaining portion and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor.

Claim 27

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining two suture portions in the retaining portion with a loop formed between the two suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; at least one proximally disposed stop member directed proximally on a first concentric member surrounding the shaft for engagement with a shoulder on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft and the concentric member after deformation of the deformable portion; and a cam surface on a second concentric member for engagement with the stop member to crimp said stop member radially inwardly securely against the shaft and in abutment with the shoulder, wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of at least one of the two suture portions in the suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop in the suture retaining portion and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor.

Claim 28

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a first suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a first suture portion; a second suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a second suture portion; whereby a loop is formed in a suture between the first and second suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; the first suture retaining portion comprising a first retaining portion wherein the first suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of the second suture portion in the second suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop between the first and second suture retaining portions and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor.

Claim 29

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a first suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a first suture portion; a second suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a second suture portion; whereby a loop is formed in a suture between the first and second suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; the first suture retaining portion comprising a first retaining portion wherein the first suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of the second suture portion in the second suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop between the first and second suture retaining portions and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor.

Claim 30

The suture anchor of claim 25 , wherein the first retaining portion comprises a recess in the shaft for receiving a knot in the end of the suture, the knot being retained in the recess between the shaft and a retainer member surrounding the shaft.

Claim 31

The suture anchor of claim 26 , wherein the retainer member comprises the deformable portion.

Claim 32

The suture anchor of claim 25 , further comprising at least one proximally disposed stop member directed proximally on a first concentric member surrounding the shaft for engagement with a shoulder on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft and the concentric member after deformation of the deformable portion.

Claim 33

The suture anchor of claim 25 , further comprising a cam surface for engagement with the deformable portion to cause deformation of the deformable portion upon proximal movement of the shaft.

Claim 34

The suture anchor of claim 29 , wherein the deformable portion comprises a plurality of proximally directed fingers for outward radial movement in the wall of the borehole upon proximal movement of the shaft and wherein the cam surface engages the fingers to move the fingers radially outwardly upon movement of the shaft.

Claim 35

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a first suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a first suture portion; a second suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a second suture portion; whereby a loop is formed in a suture between the first and second suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; the first suture retaining portion comprising a first retaining portion wherein the first suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of the second suture portion in the second suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop between the first and second suture retaining portions and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor, wherein the second suture retaining portion comprises first and second clamping portions, the first and second clamping portions comprising the shaft and a concentric member surrounding the shaft, respectively, whereby upon proximal movement of the shaft to deform the deformable portion, the second suture portion is clamped between said concentric member surrounding the shaft and said shaft.

Claim 36

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a first suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a first suture portion; a second suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a second suture portion; whereby a loop is formed in a suture between the first and second suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; the first suture retaining portion comprising a first retaining portion wherein the first suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of the second suture portion in the second suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop between the first and second suture retaining portions and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor, wherein the second suture retaining portion comprises first and second clamping portions, the first and second clamping portions comprising the shaft and a concentric member surrounding the shaft, respectively, whereby upon proximal movement of the shaft to deform the deformable portion, the second suture portion is clamped between said concentric member surrounding the shaft and said shaft.

Claim 37

The suture anchor of claim 31 , wherein the shaft and the concentric member each have aligned openings through which the second suture portion is routed prior to proximal movement of the shaft and wherein, after proximal movement of the shaft, the opening in the shaft is moved so that said opening in said shaft is at least partly obstructed by said concentric member to clamp the second suture portion between the concentric member and the shaft.

Claim 38

The suture anchor of claim 32 , wherein the opening in the shaft is covered by said concentric member upon proximal movement of the shaft thereby to clamp the second suture portion between the shaft and concentric member in a convoluted path.

Claim 39

The suture anchor of claim 33 , wherein the convoluted path is U-shaped.

Claim 40

The suture anchor of claim 31 , where a spacing is provided between the shaft and concentric member sized so as to clamp the second suture portion therebetween.

Claim 41

The suture anchor of claim 35 , wherein the spacing is such that the second suture portion is compressed between the shaft and concentric member.

Claim 42

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a first suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a first suture portion; a second suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a second suture portion; whereby a loop is formed in a suture between the first and second suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; the first suture retaining portion comprising a first retaining portion wherein the first suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of the second suture portion in the second suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop between the first and second suture retaining portions and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor, further comprising at least one proximally disposed stop member directed proximally on a first concentric member surrounding the shaft for engagement with a shoulder on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft and the concentric member after deformation of the deformable portion, further comprising a cam surface on a second concentric member for engagement with the stop member to crimp said stop member radially inwardly securely against the shaft and in abutment with the shoulder.

Claim 43

A suture anchor comprising: a deformable portion for engaging with a wall of a borehole in a first tissue member; a shaft for providing a force to the deformable portion to deform the deformable portion to cause the deformable portion to engage the wall of the borehole; a first suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a first suture portion; a second suture retaining portion in at least one of the deformable portion and the shaft for retaining a second suture portion; whereby a loop is formed in a suture between the first and second suture portions, the loop adapted to traverse a second tissue member to be attached to the first tissue member; the first suture retaining portion comprising a first retaining portion wherein the first suture portion comprising an end of the suture is fixedly secured to the anchor; and wherein application of the force to deform the deformable portion causes engagement of the deformable portion with the borehole to secure the suture anchor to the first tissue and clamping of the second suture portion in the second suture retaining portion thereby to secure the suture forming the loop between the first and second suture retaining portions and secure the second tissue to the suture anchor, further comprising at least one proximally disposed stop member directed proximally on a first concentric member surrounding the shaft for engagement with a shoulder on the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft and the concentric member after deformation of the deformable portion, further comprising a cam surface on a second concentric member for engagement with the stop member to crimp said stop member radially inwardly securely against the shaft and in abutment with the shoulder.