Tissue anchoring system and method

Abstract

A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor affixed to an end of a cable and supported for insertion on a delivery device, the manipulation of which permits placement of the anchor on a far side of the tissue. A tensioning, crimping and cutting tool designed for use along the cable's longitudinal axis, thus reducing the number of incisions required. A suture anchoring system is also described for introducing a loop of suture into a surgical site and anchoring it, for instance, across a tear in soft tissue.

1 - 65 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         66 . A bone opening protector, comprising: 
 a first portion having an opening therein, said first portion adapted to engage a surface surrounding a bone opening; and    an anchoring extension connected to said first portion, said anchoring extension adapted to extend into bone to inhibit movement of said first portion.    
     
     
         67 . The bone opening protector of  claim 66  wherein said anchoring extension includes a roughened exterior surface.  
     
     
         68 . The bone opening protector of  claim 67  wherein said roughened exterior surface is threaded.  
     
     
         69 . The bone opening protector of  claim 67  wherein said roughened exterior surface includes a series of circular projections, each projection having an inclined leading edge.  
     
     
         70 . The bone opening protector of  claim 66  wherein said opening of said first portion leads to a bore through said anchoring extension.  
     
     
         71 . The bone opening protector of  claim 70  wherein said opening of said first portion includes a rounded surface leading to said bore through said anchoring extension.  
     
     
         72 . A system for protecting a bone from damage, the system comprising: 
 a bone opening protector including, 
 a first end portion,  
 a generally cylindrical body extending from the first end portion, the body including 
 a lumen extending through the first end portion, and  
 a roughened exterior surface,  
 
 a rounded surface connecting an opening in the first end portion to the lumen; and  
   a cable extending through the bore.    
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72  wherein the roughened exterior surface is threaded.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 72  wherein the roughened exterior surface includes a series of circular projections, each projection having an inclined leading edge.  
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 72  wherein the first end portion includes a bone surface engaging portion.  
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 75  wherein the lumen defines a longitudinal axis and wherein the bone surface engaging portion extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 72  further including an eyelet anchor secured to the cable.  
     
     
         78 . A method of establishing a connection through a bone, the method comprising: 
 forming a passage through the bone, the passage having proximal and distal openings on the bone surface;    inserting a cable through a bore in a bone protector;    inserting the bone protector into the passage, wherein a portion of the bone protector projects from the proximal opening; and    applying tension to the cable.    
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein inserting a bone protector into the passage includes threading the bone protector into the passage.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 78  wherein inserting a bone protector into the passage includes anchoring the bone protector to the passage.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 78  further comprising: 
 preventing contact between the cable and the proximal opening on the bone surface.    
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the portion of the bone projector that projects from the proximal opening includes a rounded surface leading into the bore.  
     
     
         83 . A bone opening protector for protecting a bone comprising: 
 a first end surface for preventing wear at a surface opening of the bone;    an anchoring portion extending from the first end surface for engaging a passage in the bone, wherein the anchoring portion includes a through bore that extends through the first end surface;    a rounded interface between the bore and an aperture in the first end surface.    
     
     
         84 . The bone opening protector of  claim 83  wherein the anchoring portion includes a roughened external surface for engaging the passage in the bone.  
     
     
         85 . The bone opening protector of  claim 84  wherein the roughened external surface includes a set of threads.