Knotless suture anchor system and method of use

Abstract

A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, a first loop of suture thread attached to the suture anchor, a suture needle, and a second loop of suture thread which is attached to the suture needle. The first and second suture loops are interlocked with one another. The suture anchor is preferably bioabsorbable, and it has a flared feature on one side of the second or proximal end thereof. The flared feature renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the anchor. A method for anchoring soft tissue is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for anchoring tissue to bone, comprising: 
 a suture anchor having a longitudinal axis, a first leading end and a second, trailing end, the second end having a flared portion that renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis;    a first loop of suture thread attached to the suture anchor;    a second loop of suture thread attached to the first loop, wherein the first loop and the second loop are interlocked with one another; and    a suture needle having a first, tissue penetrating end and a second, trailing end, wherein the suture needle is attached to the second loop.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suture anchor includes two substantially flat, opposed sides between the first end and the second end.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a threaded bore is formed in the suture anchor, extending therein from the second, trailing end.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a suture anchor insertion tool, the tool being in the form of an elongate member having a proximal, handle end and a distal end.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the distal end of the insertion tool includes an externally threaded insertion tip for engaging the threaded bore of the suture anchor.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the insertion tool further includes a flexible portion that allows the tool to bend.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a suture thread-engaging groove is formed in the first end of the suture anchor.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the groove is about 1 to 2.5 mm in depth and has an inner diameter of about 0.5 to 1 mm.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flared portion has a shape effective to penetrate into hard cortical bone.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the flared portion is a chamfered flare.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the flared portion includes a sharp edge.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the flared portion includes a knife edge with a flat proximal end.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is about 2.5 to 5 mm at its widest portion.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second loop comprises a suture loop closure and a length of suture thread having two free ends, the two free ends being attached to and secured within the suture loop closure.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second loop is attached to the second end of the suture needle.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second loop is attached to the suture needle by securing two free ends of suture thread within a hollow formed within the second end thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the first loop is in the range of about 0.25 to 2 inches.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the second loop is in the range of about 6 to 40 inches.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first loop comprises a length of suture thread having two ends, the two ends being attached to each other by a suture loop closure.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suture anchor has a hole, extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, having an inner diameter adapted to allow the first loop to pass through the hole while preventing the suture loop closure from passing through the hole.