Suture anchor

Abstract

An improved suture anchor is formed from body tissue. The body tissue is shaped to a desired configuration for the anchor and defines a passage through the anchor. A suture is inserted into the passage in the body tissue of the anchor. The anchor is then positioned in a patient's body with a suture extending into the passage in the anchor. The anchor may be formed of osseous body tissue, hard compact bone, dense connective body tissue, or other body tissue. The body tissue may be dried so that it absorbs fluid and expands upon being inserted into a patient's body

1 . A method of anchoring a suture in a body of a patient, comprising: 
 forming an anchor of body tissue including molding the body tissue about an elongated member and removing the elongated member from the molded body tissue to form an axial passage there through;    inserting a suture into the axial passage in the anchor; and    positioning the anchor in the body of the patient.    
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein molding the body tissue about an elongated member including positioning the body tissue in a mold defining a mold chamber, the elongated member extending through the mold chamber.  
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mold chamber defines a cylinder.  
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor of osseous body tissue.  
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor of dried body tissue.  
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein positioning the anchor in the body of the patient includes positioning the anchor at a location in the body of the patient where the anchor is exposed to body fluid to enable the dried body tissue of the anchor to absorb body fluid.  
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the anchor expands as it absorbs the body fluid.  
     
     
         8 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor of body tissue which includes collagen.  
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor of interarticular fibrocartilage.  
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor from an allograft or xenograft.  
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor of connective body tissue.  
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the connective body tissue includes cartilage, tendons, or ligaments.  
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein forming an anchor of body tissue includes forming the anchor from body tissue removed from a donor.  
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the donor is the patient.  
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein positioning the anchor in the body of the patient includes moving the anchor into the body of the patient, and thereafter pivoting the anchor relative to the body of the patient.  
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein pivoting the anchor includes tensioning the suture to apply force to the anchor.  
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the anchor formed of body tissue includes first and second end portions and an outer side surface extending between the first and second end portions, wherein the passage axially extends through the first and second end portions  
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein positioning the anchor in the body of the patient includes inserting the first end portion into the body of the patient and applying a force against the second end portion of the anchor.