Partial thickness rotator cuff repair system and method

Abstract

A method and system is provided for of attaching a rotator cuff tendon to its associated humeral head. The method includes the steps of passing a positional guide through the tendon toward the humeral head at a target site and positioning a suture anchor between the humeral head and the tendon at the target site by passing the suture anchor under the tendon. The suture anchor is driven into the humeral head and suture is passed from the suture anchor and through the tendon to attach the tendon to the humeral head at the target site.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A suture anchor kit comprising:
 a suture anchor having at least one suture limb extending therefrom, the suture anchor comprising a distal end for entering bone, an opposite proximal end and a side between the distal end and proximal end;   a suture anchor passing tool adapted to grasp the suture anchor side.   
     
     
         17 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 16  wherein the passing tool has a height adjacent the suture anchor and over a length thereof sufficient to pass the suture anchor under a tendon in a rotator cuff and wherein the height is less than a length of the suture anchor between its distal end and proximal end. 
     
     
         18 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 16  wherein the suture anchor has an aperture in its side and wherein the tool has a distal tip sized to fit within the aperture whereby to grasp the anchor. 
     
     
         19 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 16  and further comprising instructions for use which include an instruction to pass the suture anchor under a tendon in a rotator cuff. 
     
     
         20 . A suture anchor kit comprising:
 a positional guide adapted to pass through a rotator cuff tendon;   a suture anchor;   a driver adapted to drive the suture anchor into the humeral head; and   instructions for positioning the suture anchor a target site by passing the suture anchor laterally underneath a rotator cuff tendon to intercept the positional guide which is passed through the rotator cuff tendon.   
     
     
         21 . A suture anchor kit comprising:
 a positional guide adapted to pass through a rotator cuff tendon;   a suture anchor;   a driver adapted to drive the suture anchor into the humeral head; and   wherein the driver engages laterally with the suture anchor whereby to allow the suture anchor and the driver to be placed at a target site under a rotator cuff tendon by passing them laterally underneath the rotator cuff tendon.   
     
     
         22 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 21  and wherein the driver comprises a ratchet mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 21  wherein the driver comprises a powered rotational drive head adapted to rotate the suture anchor about a central axis thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A suture anchor kit comprising:
 a positional guide adapted to pass through a rotator cuff tendon;   a suture anchor having a central bore through a central axis thereof, the bore being open laterally whereby to be engageable laterally with the positional guide at a target site beneath the rotator cuff tendon; and   a driver adapted to drive the suture anchor into the humeral head.   
     
     
         25 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 24  wherein the suture anchor comprises a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and second lateral portion engageable with each other laterally at a target site beneath a rotator cuff tendon with the positional guide within the central bore. 
     
     
         26 . A suture anchor kit comprising:
 a longitudinally extended positional guide having a sharp distal tip adapted to pass through a rotator cuff tendon;   an awl head threadably engageable with the distal tip of the positional guide and adapted to form a bone hole in a humeral head;   a suture anchor; and   a driver adapted to insert the suture anchor into the bone hole.   
     
     
         27 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 26  and further comprising a manipulator engagable laterally with at least one of the suture anchor and awl, whereby to allow insertion thereof underneath the rotator cuff tendon. 
     
     
         28 . A suture anchor kit according to  claim 26  and further comprising a suture extending from the anchor and a suture engaging notch in one of the driver or the positional guide whereby to allow capture of the suture in the suture engaging notch and passage of the suture through the rotator cuff tendon.