Self-punching soft anchor

Abstract

A self-punching soft suture anchor insertable into bone without preforming a hole in bone. The soft suture anchor is formed entirely of suture and is mounted on an inserter with a sharp tip for forming a hole in bone without pre-drilling. The inserter, with the soft suture anchor mounted thereon, is advanced into the bone. As the inserter is withdrawn, the soft suture anchor is released and thereby remains in the bone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly, comprising:
 an insertion device for forming a hole in bone; and   a soft suture anchor mounted on the insertion device, the soft suture anchor being formed entirely of a flexible material.   
     
     
         2 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is suture. 
     
     
         3 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the suture is a high-strength suture. 
     
     
         4 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion device comprises a shaft in the form of a spear with a sharp tip at a distal end of the shaft for forming the hole in bone. 
     
     
         5 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the soft suture anchor is wrapped around the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the soft suture anchor fits into a groove on the shaft of the insertion device. 
     
     
         7 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft of the insertion device comprises a plurality of spikes to grip the soft suture anchor. 
     
     
         8 . The self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 1 , mounted on a gun-type device. 
     
     
         9 . A method of inserting a soft suture anchor into bone without preforming a hole in the bone using a self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly comprising an insertion device and a soft suture anchor mounted on the insertion device, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. forming a hole in the bone by advancing the insertion device with the soft suture anchor mounted thereon into the bone, the insertion device comprising a shaft in the form of a spear with a sharp tip at the distal end of the shaft for forming the hole in bone; and   b. withdrawing the insertion device from the hole in the bone, leaving the soft suture anchor in the hole.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the soft suture anchor is released from the shaft of the insertion device as the insertion device is withdrawn from the hole in bone. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the soft suture anchor is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible material comprises suture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the suture is a high-strength suture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising an initial step of mounting at least one said self-punching soft, suture based anchor assembly on a gun-type device, and using the gun-type device to insert the soft anchor into the hole in bone without preforming the hole. 
     
     
         15 . A soft, suture based anchor assembly, comprising:
 an insertion device for a soft, suture based anchor, the insertion device comprising an elongated member configured for insertion in a hole in bone; and   a soft suture anchor mounted on the insertion device, the soft suture anchor being formed entirely of a flexible material.   
     
     
         16 . The soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible material is suture. 
     
     
         17 . The soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the suture is a high-strength suture. 
     
     
         18 . The soft, suture based anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion device comprises a shaft with a forked tip at a distal end of the shaft for receiving and engaging the soft, suture based anchor.