Suture anchor with apertures at tip

Abstract

A suture anchor includes a threaded anchor body, at least one aperture at the distal end of the suture anchor, and at least one groove in communication with the aperture. A suture strand can be inserted into the suture anchor and pass through the aperture, the portion of the suture seated in the groove or grooves being protected from abrasion during installation of the suture anchor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suture anchor comprising:
 a threaded anchor body having a proximal end and a distal end;   an aperture located at the distal end of the anchor body;,   at least one groove in communication with the aperture;   a suture passing through the aperture, and being seated in the at least one groove..   
     
     
         2 . A method of surgery, comprising inserting a suture anchor having a threaded anchor body into a hole formed in bone, the suture anchor having an aperture located at a distal end of the anchor body, at least one groove in communication with the aperture, and a suture passing through the aperture and through the at least one groove, the suture anchor being inserted by turning the threaded suture anchor body, the portion of the suture seated in the at least one groove being protected from abrasion during installation of the suture anchor. 
     
     
         3 . A suture anchor comprising:
 an anchor body having a proximal end and a distal end;   a central bore extending from an opening at the proximal end of the anchor body through a portion of the length thereof;   a plurality of apertures in the distal end of the anchor body and in communication with the central bore, wherein the apertures define the ends of a groove extending between the apertures at the distal end of the anchor body, the groove being parallel and recessed from the distal end; and   a suture passing through the apertures, and through the groove.   
     
     
         4 . The suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the apertures are connected to a passageway that extends through the anchor body substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchor body. 
     
     
         5 . The suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the central bore has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         6 . The suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the central bore has a cross-sectional shape so as to accommodate a driver head for driving the suture anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The suture anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein the anchor body comprises a plurality of thread flights extending from the outer surface of the anchor body. 
     
     
         8 . The suture anchor according to  claim 4 , wherein the length of the passageway is about one third the length of the anchor body.