Suture anchor inserter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a suture anchor inserter. The suture anchor inserter includes a handle having a proximal component, a central component coupled to the proximal component, and a distal component coupled to the proximal component and the central component, the central component capable of rotating relative to the proximal component; and a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle. A method of inserting a suture anchor into bone is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suture anchor inserter comprising:
 a handle comprising:
 a proximal component, a central component coupled to the proximal component, and a distal component coupled to the proximal component and the central component, the central component capable of rotating relative to the proximal component; and 
   a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 1  further comprising the suture anchor coupled to the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 1  wherein the proximal component further comprises at least two holes. 
     
     
         4 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 1  wherein the central component further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface both comprising a groove. 
     
     
         5 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 1  wherein the distal component further comprises a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising at least two suture retainers. 
     
     
         6 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 5  wherein the shaft further comprises at least two channels, each channel housing one of the at least two suture retainers. 
     
     
         7 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 3  wherein the suture comprises at least two ends, the ends comprising a needle coupled to each end, the needles housed within the holes. 
     
     
         8 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 4  wherein the suture comprises at least two ends, the ends housed within the grooves of the central component. 
     
     
         9 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 6  wherein the suture comprises at least two ends, the ends housed within the channels and retained therein by the suture retainers. 
     
     
         10 . A method of inserting a suture anchor into bone comprising:
 providing a suture anchor inserter comprising a handle including a component capable of rotation, a shaft coupled to the handle, and the suture anchor coupled to the shaft;   inserting the suture anchor into bone;   rotating the component; and   removing the inserter.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the suture comprises at least two ends, the ends comprising a needle coupled to each end, the needles housed within the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein rotation of the component allows for release of the suture and the needles from the handle. 
     
     
         13 . A suture anchor inserter comprising a handle including a component capable of rotation and a shaft coupled to the handle. 
     
     
         14 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 13  further comprising a suture anchor coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 1  wherein the proximal portion further comprises at least two slots with each slot having a first crevice and a second crevice. 
     
     
         16 . The suture anchor inserter of  claim 15  wherein the central component further comprises at least two tabs, the two tabs disposed within the first crevice of each slot. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the handle Anther comprises a component located proximal to the rotatable component, the component including at least two slots with each slot having a first crevice and a second crevice. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the rotatable component further comprises at least two tabs, the two tabs disposed within the first crevice of each slot prior to rotation of the rotatable component and disposed within the second crevice of each slot after rotation of the rotatable component.