Apparatus and method for securing suture to bone

Abstract

A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, including a body and a continuous suture loop. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, and has an external threaded portion extending coaxial with the axis, and a bore extending from the second end towards the first end. The continuous suture loop is secured within the bore of the body so that at least a portion of the loop extends from the second end of the body to form an eyelet.

1 . A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising: 
 A) a body extending along a longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, and having, 
 an external threaded portion extending coaxial with the axis,  
 a bore extending from the second end towards the first end; and  
   B) a continuous suture loop secured within the bore of the body to form an eyelet.    
     
     
         2 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the suture loop is bonded to an inner surface of the bore of the body.  
     
     
         3 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the suture loop is secured in the bore by a retainer secured to the body and extending through the loop generally laterally with respect to the axis.  
     
     
         4 . A suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the loop is movable between the body and the retainer.  
     
     
         5 . A suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the retainer is unitary with the body.  
     
     
         6 . A suture anchor according to  claim 5 , wherein the body and the retainer are formed about the suture loop from at least two longitudinal portions.  
     
     
         7 . A suture anchor according to  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal portions of the body are ultrasonically bonded.  
     
     
         8 . A suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the body includes a second bore extending generally laterally with respect to the axis, and wherein the retainer is received in the second bore, and at least a portion of an outer surface of the retainer is secured to an inner surface of the second bore.  
     
     
         9 . A suture anchor according to  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the retainer is ultrasonically bonded to an inner surface of the second bore.  
     
     
         10 . A suture anchor according to  claim 3 , further comprising a pulley supporting the suture loop on the retainer.  
     
     
         11 . A suture anchor according to  claim 10 , wherein the pulley is rotatably mounted on the retainer.  
     
     
         12 . A suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the bore extends between the first and the second ends of the body and the retainer is wedged within an inner wall of the bore.  
     
     
         13 . A suture anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the bore includes a shoulder facing towards the first end and the retainer contacts the shoulder.  
     
     
         14 . A suture anchor according to  claim 12 , wherein the suture loop passes through channels in an outer surface of the retainer.  
     
     
         15 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the continuous suture loop is braided.  
     
     
         16 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further includes a drive head at the second end.  
     
     
         17 . A suture anchor according to  claim 16 , wherein the drive head has a hexagonal engagement surface facing laterally outwardly from the axis.  
     
     
         18 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the external threaded portion includes a self-tapping threads.  
     
     
         19 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the external threaded portion includes a self-drilling tip at the first end of the body.  
     
     
         20 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein the external threaded portion extends from the first end of the body.  
     
     
         21 . A suture anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said continuous suture loop has a substantially constant diameter.  
     
     
         22 . A suture anchor according to  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the suture loop is bonded to an inner surface of the bore of the body.  
     
     
         23 . A suture anchor according to  claim 21 , wherein the suture loop is secured in the bore by a retainer secured to the body and extending through the loop generally laterally with respect to the axis.  
     
     
         24 . A suture anchor according to  claim 23 , wherein the loop is movable between the body and the retainer.  
     
     
         25 . A suture anchor according to  claim 23 , wherein the retainer is unitary with the body.  
     
     
         26 . A suture anchor according to  claim 25 , wherein the body and the retainer are formed about the suture loop from at least two longitudinal portions.  
     
     
         27 . A suture anchor according to  claim 26 , wherein the longitudinal portions of the body are ultrasonically bonded.