Apparatus and method for securing tissue to bone with a suture

Abstract

The embodiments provided for herein relate to apparatus and methods for securing tissue to bone using a suture anchoring system that provides enhanced tactile feedback and does not require tying a suture knot. In each embodiment, a surgeon can individually tension the free ends of the suture to fine-tune the placement of the tissue with respect to the bone, and then secure the suture without tying a knot. In several embodiments, the device may be transformed between locked and unlocked suture states, thereby allowing further fine-tuning of the tension in the suture. In other embodiments, the device may permit unidirectional movement of a suture, while preventing slippage or movement of the suture and tissue in the opposite direction.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A bone anchor system for coupling tissue structure to bone comprising: 
 a bone anchor main body configured to be placed in an opening in a bone, the bone anchor main body comprising a cavity having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more side surfaces, and an inner surface at the distal end of the cavity;    a cam pivotally coupled to the bone anchor main body and positioned at least partially in the cavity, wherein the cam is configured such that pivoting the cam in one direction creates a space between an outer surface of the cam and the inner surface of the distal end of the cavity, the space being sized to allow movement of a suture in the space, and wherein pivoting the cam in the opposite direction compresses a suture in the space between an outer edge of the cam and the inner surface at the distal end of the cavity such that movement of a suture in the space is inhibited.    
   
   
       8 . The bone anchor system of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more coupling members extending radially from the bone anchor main body, the coupling members being configured to move inward as the bone anchor main body is placed in an opening in a bone, and further being configured to inhibit the bone anchor from moving out of the opening in the bone.  
   
   
       9 . The bone anchor system of  claim 7 , further comprising an inserter, the inserter being reversibly couplable to the bone anchor main body, wherein the inserter is configured to position the bone anchor in an opening in a bone.  
   
   
       10 . The bone anchor system of  claim 7 , further comprising a suture puller configured to be coupled to a suture and configured to thread the suture between the cam and the inner surface at the distal end of the cavity.  
   
   
       11 . The bone anchor system of  claim 7 , further comprising a suture positioned between the cam and the inner surface at the distal end of the cavity.  
   
   
       12 . The bone anchor system of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cam is textured to frictionally grip a suture contacted with the textured surface.  
   
   
       13 . A bone anchor system for coupling tissue structure to bone comprising: 
 a bone anchor main body configured to be placed in an opening in a bone, the bone anchor main body comprising a cavity having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more side surfaces; and    a cam pivotally coupled to the bone anchor main body and positioned at least partially in the cavity;    wherein the bone anchor main body is configured such that a suture can be placed between the cam and the inner surface at the distal end of the cavity, with both ends of the suture passing through the opening at the proximal end of the cavity.    
   
   
       14 . The bone anchor system of  claim 13 , further comprising an opening at the proximal end, and an inner surface at the distal end of the cavity.  
   
   
       15 . The bone anchor system of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more coupling members coupled to the bone anchor main body, wherein the coupling members are configured to inhibit the bone anchor main body from moving out of the opening in the bone.  
   
   
       16 . The bone anchor system of  claim 13 , further comprising an inserter, the inserter being reversibly couplable to the bone anchor main body, wherein the inserter is configured to position the bone anchor main body in an opening in a bone.  
   
   
       17 . The bone anchor system of  claim 13 , further comprising a suture puller configured to be coupled to a suture and configured to thread the suture between the cam and the inner surface at the distal end of the cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The bone anchor system of  claim 13 , further comprising a suture positioned between the cam and the inner surface at the distal end of the cavity.  
   
   
       19 . The bone anchor system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cam is textured to frictionally grip a suture contacted with the textured surface.  
   
   
       20 - 27 . (canceled)