Knotless suture anchor

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a suture anchor to fixate sutures and tissue to bone. The suture anchor comprises an elongate member to be inserted into a bone hole. Barbs along the length of the elongate member engage with an inner wall of the bone hole. An eyelet in a distal aspect of the elongate member is configured to receive a suture. First and second channels extend helically along opposite sides of the elongate member. The eyelet includes first and second openings on opposite sides of the distal aspect. The first opening and the first channel enable applying tension to the suture after implantation into the bone hole. The second opening enables placing the suture into a final position along the barbs after implantation into the bone hole. A proximal aspect of the elongate member receives an instrument for implanting the suture anchor into the bone hole.

1 - 21 . (Canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A suture anchor, comprising:
 an elongate member for implantation into a drilled bone hole;   a distal eyelet for receiving a suture;   one or more channels for receiving portions of the suture;   a plurality of barbs for engaging the suture with the drilled bone hole; and   a proximal end of the elongate member for engaging the plurality of barbs with the drilled bone hole.   
     
     
         23 . The suture anchor of  claim 22 , wherein the distal eyelet comprises a first opening and a second opening on opposite sides of the elongate member. 
     
     
         24 . The suture anchor of  claim 23 , wherein the one or more channels comprise a first channel and a second channel extending along opposite sides of the elongate member. 
     
     
         25 . The suture anchor of  claim 24 , wherein the first opening is oriented with respect to the first channel to enable applying tension to the suture after the suture anchor has been inserted into the bone hole. 
     
     
         26 . The suture anchor of  claim 24 , wherein the second opening is configured to enable placing the suture into a final position with respect to the plurality of barbs after implantation of the suture anchor into the bone hole. 
     
     
         27 . The suture anchor of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more channels include a beveled surface and are helically disposed along the elongate member so as to graduate compression of the suture between the plurality of barbs and an inner wall of the drilled bone hole during rotation of the elongate member within the bone hole. 
     
     
         28 . The suture anchor of  claim 27 , wherein the distal eyelet and the plurality of barbs cooperate to compress the portions of the suture between the plurality of barbs and the bone hole after rotation of the elongate member. 
     
     
         29 . The suture anchor of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of barbs are configured to engage with an inner wall of the bone hole upon turning of the suture anchor through a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         30 . The suture anchor of  claim 29 , wherein the predetermined angle comprises an angle of substantially 90-degrees clockwise with respect to the proximal aspect. 
     
     
         31 . A suture anchor, comprising:
 an elongate member for implantation into a drilled bone hole;   a distal eyelet for receiving a suture;   one or more channels for receiving portions of the suture;   a plurality of barbs for engaging the suture with the drilled bone hole;   a proximal end of the elongate member for engaging the plurality of barbs with the drilled bone hole; and   a depth line disposed on the elongate member.   
     
     
         32 . The suture anchor of  claim 31 , wherein the depth line is configured to indicate a proximal end of the one or more channels. 
     
     
         33 . The suture anchor of  claim 32 , wherein the depth line indicates a depth to which the elongate member may be inserted into the drilled bone hole that allows for final tensioning of the suture. 
     
     
         34 . The suture anchor of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more channels extend from the distal eyelet to the depth line. 
     
     
         35 . The suture anchor of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of barbs comprise one or more circular barbs disposed proximal of the one or more channels. 
     
     
         36 . The suture anchor of  claim 35 , wherein the one or more circular barbs extend continuously around a circumference of the elongate member. 
     
     
         37 . The suture anchor of  claim 36 , wherein the one or more circular barbs are configured to fixate the suture between the suture anchor and an interior wall of the drilled bone hole. 
     
     
         38 . A method for anchoring a suture to a bone, comprising:
 drilling a bone hole into the bone to receive a suture anchor;   looping a length of suture through a distal eyelet of the suture anchor;   extending portions of the suture along one or more channels comprising the suture anchor;   inserting the suture anchor into the bone hole;   tensioning the suture; and   pushing a proximal aspect of the suture anchor below a cortical surface of the bone.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein pushing the proximal aspect includes rotating the suture anchor to fixate the suture between the suture anchor and an interior wall of the bone hole. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein inserting includes inserting the suture anchor until a depth line is flush with the cortical surface of the bone. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein pushing the proximal aspect includes causing the suture to be compressed between one or more circular barbs comprising the suture anchor and an interior wall of the bone hole.