Suture anchor and related method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone can include loading a suture through an eyelet of a suture anchor. The suture anchor can have a longitudinal axis and a distal tip. An anchor inserter assembly can be positioned in contact with the suture anchor. The anchor inserter assembly can include a sleeve portion and an impacting portion. The suture can be engaged with a suture engaging member on the suture inserter assembly at a location adjacent to the eyelet. The sleeve portion can be translated relative to the impacting portion from an alignment position to an insertion position thereby moving the suture a first distance offset from the eyelet in a direction away from the distal tip. The anchor insert assembly can be advanced to a driven position thereby advancing the suture anchor into the bone. The suture engaging member can be released from the suture.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, the suture anchor comprising:
 an anchor body having an outer wall extending along a longitudinal anchor body path, the anchor body including:
 an eyelet that extends through the anchor body from a first opening at the outer wall of the anchor body to a second opening at an opposing outer wall of the anchor body; and 
 a first longitudinal opening and a second longitudinal opening, wherein the first and second longitudinal openings connect with the eyelet. 
   
     
     
         3 . The suture anchor of  claim 2 , the anchor body comprising a proximal terminal end surface arranged opposite a distal tip portion, wherein the first and second longitudinal openings are located in the proximal terminal end surface. 
     
     
         4 . The suture anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the first longitudinal opening intersects the eyelet at a distal end of the first longitudinal opening. 
     
     
         5 . The suture anchor of  claim 4 , wherein the second longitudinal opening intersects the eyelet at a distal end of the second longitudinal opening. 
     
     
         6 . The suture anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor body includes a central opening in a proximal terminal end surface arranged opposite a distal tip. 
     
     
         7 . The suture anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor body includes a solid anchor portion and a porous anchor portion. 
     
     
         8 . The suture anchor of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second longitudinal openings and the eyelet are located in the solid anchor portion. 
     
     
         9 . The suture anchor of  claim 7 , the anchor body comprising a proximal terminal end surface arranged opposite a distal tip portion, and a central opening extending into the proximal terminal end surface, and wherein the first and second longitudinal openings, the eyelet and the central opening are located in the solid anchor portion. 
     
     
         10 . A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, the suture anchor comprising:
 an anchor body having an outer wall extending along a longitudinal anchor body path, the anchor body including a proximal body portion and a distal tip portion, the proximal body portion including:
 a proximal terminal end surface, wherein the proximal terminal end surface is arranged opposite the distal tip portion; 
 an eyelet that extends through the proximal body portion from a first opening at the outer wall of the anchor body to a second opening at an opposing outer wall of the anchor body; 
 a first longitudinal opening and a second longitudinal opening in the proximal terminal end surface, wherein the first and second longitudinal openings connect with the eyelet. 
   
     
     
         11 . The suture anchor of  claim 10 , wherein the first longitudinal opening and the second longitudinal opening intersect the eyelet at distal ends of the first and second longitudinal openings. 
     
     
         12 . The suture anchor of  claim 10 , wherein the anchor body includes a solid anchor portion and a porous anchor portion. 
     
     
         13 . The suture anchor of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second longitudinal openings and the eyelet are located in the solid anchor portion. 
     
     
         14 . The suture anchor of  claim 12 , further comprising a central opening extending into the proximal terminal end surface, and wherein the central opening is configured to receive an insertion tool. 
     
     
         15 . A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, the suture anchor comprising:
 an anchor body having an outer wall extending along a longitudinal axis, the anchor body including a proximal body portion and a distal tip portion, the proximal body portion including:
 a proximal terminal end surface, wherein the proximal terminal end surface is arranged opposite the distal tip portion; 
 an eyelet that extends through the proximal body portion from a first opening at the outer wall of the anchor body to a second opening at an opposing outer wall of the anchor body; and 
 a first longitudinal opening and a second longitudinal opening located in the proximal terminal end surface, wherein the first and second longitudinal openings extend from a first end portion in the proximal terminal end surface and through the proximal body portion along the longitudinal axis to a distal end portion that connects with the eyelet. 
   
     
     
         16 . The suture anchor of  claim 15 , wherein the first longitudinal opening and the second longitudinal opening intersect the eyelet at distal ends of the first and second longitudinal openings. 
     
     
         17 . The suture anchor of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor body includes a solid anchor portion and a porous anchor portion. 
     
     
         18 . The suture anchor of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second longitudinal openings and the eyelet are located in the solid anchor portion. 
     
     
         20 . The suture anchor of  claim 15 , further comprising a central opening extending into the proximal terminal end surface, and wherein the central opening is configured to receive an insertion tool. 
     
     
         21 . The suture anchor of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor body includes a solid anchor portion and a porous anchor portion,
 wherein the first longitudinal opening and the second longitudinal opening intersect the eyelet at distal ends of the first and second longitudinal openings,   wherein the anchor body includes a central opening extending into the proximal terminal end surface, the central opening configured to receive an insertion tool, and   wherein the first and second longitudinal openings, the eyelet and the central opening are located in the solid anchor portion.