Suture loop anchor

Abstract

A suture anchor is provided having a body with at least one suture-receiving channel that extends distally from a proximal end of the body. The suture-receiving channel can include a cavity formed in a distal-most end of the body, or it can terminate at a transversely-extending bore formed through the body. The suture anchor can also include a suture loop that is positioned within the suture-receiving channel and cavity or bore, and that includes a proximal portion that extends proximal of the proximal end of the body.

1 . A suture anchor adapted to be disposed within bone, comprising: 
 an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a transversely-extending suture tunnel formed in a proximal portion of the body such that the distal end of the body has a substantially solid distal tip;    at least one bone-engaging surface feature formed thereon;    a continuous suture-receiving channel formed therein and extending proximally from the transversely-extending suture tunnel, the suture-receiving channel being adapted to seat a suture therein; and    a first loop of suture thread freely-slidably disposed around the elongate body within the suture-receiving channel.    
   
   
       2 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the suture-receiving channel is adapted to seat the suture loop flush or sub-flush with an outer surface of the body.  
   
   
       3 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially solid, elongate body includes a plurality of bone-engaging surface features formed thereon.  
   
   
       4 . The suture anchor of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of bone-engaging surface features is disposed proximal to the transversely-extending suture tunnel and at least one of the plurality of bone-engaging surface features is disposed distal to the transversely-extending suture tunnel.  
   
   
       5 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bone-engaging surface feature is longitudinally extending.  
   
   
       6 . The suture anchor of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending bone-engaging surface feature extends substantially between proximal and distal ends.  
   
   
       7 . The suture anchor of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending bone-engaging surface feature has a substantially triangular cross-section.  
   
   
       8 . The suture anchor of  claim 7 , wherein the triangular bone-engaging surface feature has a height that increases in a distal-to-proximal direction.  
   
   
       9 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the suture-receiving channel is adapted to seat and engage the suture loop, yet allow slidable movement of the suture loop.  
   
   
       10 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the suture-receiving channel includes a substantially concave cavity formed in a distal-most end of the body, the cavity being adapted to seat a knot formed in the suture loop.  
   
   
       11 . The suture anchor of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity is adapted to seat the knot flush or sub-flush with an outer surface of the body.  
   
   
       12 . The suture anchor of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity has a substantially hemi-spherical shape.  
   
   
       13 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bone-engaging surface feature comprises at least one ridge.  
   
   
       14 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bone-engaging surface feature comprises at least one discrete pyramid-shaped surface feature.  
   
   
       15 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is substantially cylindrical and includes a distal tip portion that tapers in a distal direction.  
   
   
       16 . The suture anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a driver-receiving element formed in the proximal end of the elongate body.  
   
   
       17 . A suture anchor adapted to be disposed within bone, comprising: 
 an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a substantially concave cavity formed in a distal-most end of the body;    first and second suture-receiving channels formed therein and extending proximally from the concave cavity along opposed sides of the elongate body, the suture-receiving channels being adapted to seat a suture therein;    at least one bone-engaging surface feature formed thereon and extending parallel to the suture-receiving channels; and    a first loop of suture thread freely-slidably disposed around the elongate body within the suture-receiving channels.    
   
   
       18 . The suture anchor of  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body includes a plurality of discrete bone-engaging surface features formed thereon and extending parallel to the first and second suture-receiving channels.  
   
   
       19 . The suture anchor of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one bone-engaging surface feature is longitudinally extending.  
   
   
       20 . The suture anchor of  claim 17 , wherein the suture loop includes a knot that is positioned within the concave cavity.  
   
   
       21 . The suture anchor of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second suture-receiving channels are adapted to seat the suture loop flush or sub-flush with an outer surface of the body.