Devices and methods for repairing soft tissue

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for securing soft tissue to bone, and particularly for axially anchoring suture which attaches the soft tissue to adjacent bone structure.

1 . A suture anchoring device, comprising: 
 an anchor housing having an outer wall;    a compressible plug member disposed within said housing and extending proximally of said housing;    a channel extending through said plug member for accommodating a length of suture; and    a cap member for enclosing a proximal end of said housing;    wherein said plug member is compressed in order to anchor the length of suture when said cap member is engaged with said housing.    
   
   
       2 . A suture anchoring device, comprising: 
 an anchor body having an interior threaded wall;    a suture return member associated with said body for returning a distally extending length of suture in a proximal direction;    a length of fiber having a first end secured to a distal portion of said body, and a second end extending from an end of said body, said fiber being wrapped about the interior threaded wall of said body a plurality of times;    whereby when said length of fiber is pulled in a predetermined direction, the wrapped fiber becomes tightly engaged about said suture to anchor said suture.    
   
   
       3 . The suture anchoring device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first end of said fiber is secured to said suture return member.  
   
   
       4 . The suture anchoring device as recited in  claim 3 , and fuirther comprising a pin disposed on a proximal end of said body about which the second end of fiber is disposed. 
 a first plate having a suture receiving aperture disposed therein;    a second plate having a suture receiving aperture disposed therein, and    a connection between said first and second plates which is designed to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto;    wherein axial displacement of one of said plates relative to the other of said plates creates a tortuous path for a length of suture passing therethrough.    
   
   
       5 . A suture anchoring device, comprising: 
 an outer tube having a lumen extending axially therethrough;    a length of suture extending distally through said outer tube, about a suture return member, and proximally back through said outer tube; and    an inner expandable member extending axially through said lumen, between portions of said length of suture, said inner expandable member being actuatable to a radially expanded state in order to compress and clamp said length of suture in place.    
   
   
       6 . The suture anchoring device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said inner expandable member comprises a split elastomeric tube.  
   
   
       7 . The suture anchoring device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said inner expandable member comprises a spring coil.  
   
   
       8 . The suture anchoring device as recited in  claim 5 , and further comprising a tapered pin for actuating said inner expandable member to said radially expanded state.