Suture screw

Abstract

A two part suture screw for anchoring tissue and bone is disclosed. The suture screw includes a threaded outer sleeve having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough. A pin having a conical insertion tip is provided and includes a proximally extending shaft configured for insertion in the longitudinal bore of the outer sleeve. The shaft includes a transverse bore through the pin for slidingly receiving a length of suture. A pair of channels extend from the transverse bore proximally along the outer surfaces of the shaft. The sleeve is provided with corresponding channels which extend proximally from a point adjacent the throughbore to form a complete bore for free sliding receipt of the suture within the suture screw. The suture contemplated for use with the disclosed suture screw has a diameter smaller than that of the transverse bore and the bores formed by the channels of the pin and sleeve to allow the suture to freely slide therein. A method of using the suture anchor to anchor tissue to bone is also disclosed.

1 . A suture screw comprising: 
 a sleeve having a threaded outer surface and a longitudinal bore; and    a pin having a tip and a shaft extending proximally from the tip, the shaft having at least one transverse bore extending from a first side of the shaft to the second side of the shaft, wherein the shaft is positioned within the longitudinal bore of the sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The suture screws recited in  claim 1  wherein the pin has channels in the first and second sides extending from the transverse bore along the first and second sides to a proximal end of the shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 2  wherein the sleeve has channels formed on an inner surface of the longitudinal bore and extend in complimentary fashion with the channels in the shaft of the pin.  
   
   
       4 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 3  wherein the shaft has a hexagonal cross-section and the longitudinal bore of the sleeve has a hexagonal cross-section to receive the shaft such that the shaft cannot rotate within the sleeve.  
   
   
       5 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the threads of the sleeve are interrupted at the distal end of the sleeve.  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tip of the pin has a smooth conical surface.  
   
   
       9 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 3  further comprising a length of suture having a diameter less than that of the transverse bore and positioned through to the transverse bore and within channels of the shaft and the channels of the sleeve such that the suture is freely slidable therethrough.  
   
   
       10 . A suture screw for receipt of a length of suture to secure tissue to bone comprising: 
 an outer sleeve having a longitudinal bore there through, the longitudinal bore having a predetermined cross-sectional shape; and    a pin having a distal tip and a shaft extending proximally from the tip and has a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the throughbore such that when the shaft is inserted into the throughbore, there is minimal rotation between the pin and the sleeve.    
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 10  wherein an outer surface of the sleeve is threaded.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . The suture screw as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the outer surface of the tip is smooth and conical.  
   
   
       16 . A method of anchoring tissue to bone comprising: 
 providing a two part suture screw having a threaded outer sleeve and a longitudinal bore and a pin, having a distal insertion tip and a proximal shaft having a transverse bore, attached to the sleeve such that the shaft is positionable within the longitudinal bore and at least one length of suture extending through the transverse bore and freely slidable therein;    threading the suture screw into bore;    attaching one end of the suture to tissue;    tensioning the suture to draw the tissue adjacent the bone; and tying the suture to secure the tissue to bone.    
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 16  further including the step of drilling a pilot hole in the bone.