Cannula system and method for partial thickness rotator cuff repair

Abstract

A trans-soft tissue anchor implantation system in one embodiment includes a positioning wire having a tissue penetrating distal tip, a cannula for passage through the soft tissue and a suture anchor. The cannula has an axial lumen therethrough sized to accommodate at least the positioning wire, a thin-walled distal portion and a tissue engaging feature, such as an arcuate groove, on at least a portion of an outer surface of the cannula proximal of and adjacent to the distal portion. Tissue, such as a tendon, expands into the groove allowing a surgeon to manipulate the tissue with the cannula. Also featured is a cannula having a first curved section having a first thin-walled distal portion and a second curved section having a second thin-walled distal portion, the first and second curved sections capable of being moved relative to each other from an initial, low-profile configuration, with the second section nesting at least partially within the first section to present less than a full circumference of cannula to the soft tissue, to a second, larger configuration defining an axial cannula lumen therethrough.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A trans-soft tissue anchor implantation system comprising:
 a cannula sized for passage through a rotator cuff, the cannula comprising a distal end and an axial lumen therethrough sized to accommodate a suture anchor, a sharpened edge on the distal end, a bevel formed across a portion of the distal end so as to form a pair of points on the distal end whereby to engage the distal end against a bone; and   
       an inserter with a distal tip, the inserter being receivable within the cannula and having the suture anchor mounted to the distal tip. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23  wherein the bevel is formed at about a 45 degree angle with respect to an axis of the cannula. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 23  wherein a second bevel is formed across the distal end so as to present an angled cutting surface at the distal end. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25  wherein the second bevel is formed at about a 20 degree angle with respect to an axis of the cannula. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 23  and further comprising an arcuate groove around at least a portion of an exterior surface of the cannula adjacent the distal end to allow manipulation of a rotator cuff while the cannula is deployed through the rotator cuff. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein the groove encircles the cannula. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 23  wherein the suture anchor is less than 4 mm in diameter and the cannula is sized to just pass the suture anchor.