Anchor Element For Knotless Fixing Of Tissue To A Bone

Abstract

An anchor element serves for knotless fixing of a tissue to a bone by means of at least one suture threaded through said anchor element. A body of that anchor element has an outer surface with projections. A transverse bore is arranged in a distal end section of said body for receiving a threading passing therethrough. A clamp element serves for clamping the suture threaded transversely through the bore. The clamping element has a portion arranged within the body and is movable within the body towards that transverse bore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An anchor system, comprising
 an anchor element comprising:
 a body having an outer face, 
 projections projecting from said outer face, 
 a distal end section of said body being rounded, 
 a proximal end of said body defining a bearing surface, 
 a transverse bore arranged in said distal end section of said body, said transverse bore extending through said body, 
 and an axial bore, said axial bore opening into said transverse bore and extending from the proximal end of said body up to said transverse bore, said axial bore having an inner thread; 
 said transverse bore and said axial bore being positioned perpendicular to one another; 
 an axially extending pin having an outer thread meshing with said inner thread and being housed axially movable in said axial bore, an outer diameter of said pin corresponding to an inner diameter of said axial bore, said pin, when turned in, adapted to move in a direction towards the transverse bore and into the latter, said pin having a distal end configured to clamp an object inserted through said transverse bore against a distal wall of said transverse bore, and said pin having a recess provided in a proximal end thereof; and 
   a driver device comprising:
 a proximal end adapted to be manipulated by a user of the anchor system and a distal end engaging said anchor element, 
 the distal end of said driver device comprising a shoulder and a pin engagement member, the shoulder of the driver device defining a bearing surface configured to mate with the bearing surface of said anchor element such that axial force exerted on the proximal end of the driver device is transmitted to the anchor element through the shoulder of the driver device, and 
 the pin engagement member of said driver device and the recess of said pin being configured so as to provide rotational engagement therebetween while allowing for relative axial movement therebetween such that rotation of the pin engagement member of said driver device causes rotation of said pin and consequently axial movement of said pin within the axial bore of said anchor element and such that axial force exerted on the proximal end of the driver device is not transmitted to anchor element through said pin, 
 whereby one and the same driver device is adapted to be used for both insertion of the anchor element and also clamping of the object inserted through the transverse bore in such a manner that the outer thread on said pin and inner thread in said axial bore are protected from potential damage caused by axial force being exerted on said pin. 
   
     
     
         12 . The anchor system of  claim 11 , wherein said distal end of said pin is rounded. 
     
     
         13 . The anchor system of  claim 12 , wherein opposite to said rounded distal end of said pin, a gentle hollow is provided in said transverse bore, said gentle hollow approximately corresponds to said rounded distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The anchor system of  claim 11 , wherein said pin is designed as a headless screw.