Anchor for securing a suture

Abstract

An anchor for securing a suture relative to bone. The anchor includes a generally cylindrical body portion formed of a first material, a suture passage proximate the trailing end of the generally cylindrical body portion formed of a different second material, and at least one bone engaging projection to engage the anchor to the bone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anchor for securing a suture relative to bone, the anchor comprising:
 a first material forming a generally cylindrical body portion, a leading end, and a trailing end, the body portion being configured for insertion into an aperture in the bone;   a second material forming a suture passage proximate to the trailing end of the generally cylindrical body portion, the second material being different than the first material, the suture passage being configured to receive a portion of the suture therein; and   at least one bone engaging projection to engage the anchor with the bone.   
     
     
         2 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material and the second material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric material is a copolymer. 
     
     
         4 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric material is a dipolymer. 
     
     
         5 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric material is one selected from the group consisting of cellulose, petroylglutamic acid, high purity carboxymethylcellulose, a collagen, and polylactide. 
     
     
         6 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a ceramic. 
     
     
         7 . The anchor of  claim 6 , wherein the ceramic is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyapatite composites with polyethylene, polylactide and polyhydroxybutyrate. 
     
     
         8 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end includes a generally flat surface transverse to a central longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body portion. 
     
     
         9 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the leading end of the generally cylindrical body portion of the first material has an axially tapering configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is further configured to be insertable in soft tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bone engaging projection comprises a rib projecting radially from the cylindrical body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first material and the second material is configured to change size after insertion into the bone. 
     
     
         13 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end is configured to be engaged by a driver. 
     
     
         14 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the second material extends away from the trailing end and the anchor.