Self-punching swivel anchor and method for knotless fixation of tissue

Abstract

A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel anchor having a rotatable implant is used to capture suture for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. The implant may be provided with a conical metal tip which is self-punching and avoids the need for pre-drilling a hole in bone. The implant includes a closed aperture to allow free sliding of a suture strand. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the implant.

1 . A method of tissue fixation comprising:
 providing a suture;   securing the suture to the tissue to be fixated; and   anchoring the suture into the bone socket using a swivel implant and a fixation device, thereby providing tissue fixation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation device is an interference screw or a plug. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swivel implant has a conical portion terminating at a pointed tip at its most distal end. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swivel implant has a closed aperture at its distal end. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of capturing the suture attached to the graft with the swivel implant. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of capturing the suture further comprises passing the suture through a closed aperture of the swivel implant. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the closed aperture has an eyelet configuration. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of preloading the fixation device on a driver and, subsequently, providing the swivel implant at a distal end of the driver. 
   
   
       9 . A suture anchor comprising:
 an anchor body; and   an anchor tip rotatably attached to the anchor body.   
   
   
       10 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor tip has a closed aperture. 
   
   
       11 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor tip is a metal tip. 
   
   
       12 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the suture anchor is configured to allow rotational insertion without causing excessive twisting and knotting of a suture captured in the anchor tip. 
   
   
       13 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor tip is configured to capture a suture. 
   
   
       14 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor body has a cylindrical configuration. 
   
   
       15 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor tip is detachable. 
   
   
       16 . The suture anchor of  claim 9 , further comprising a fixation device for securing the suture anchor in bone. 
   
   
       17 . The suture anchor of  claim 16 , wherein the fixation device is a cannulated interference screw or a plug.