Devices, systems, and methods for attaching soft tissue to bone tissue

Abstract

A suture anchoring device for fixing a soft tissue to a bone tissue is disclosed that enables the exchange of sutures between anchors after implantation. The suture anchoring device may include a body that is inserted into the bone tissue, a suture exchange fitting situation within a passage formed within the body, and one or more pre-loaded sutures looped through the suture exchange fitting and projecting proximally from a proximal opening formed in the body. Surgical kits and surgical methods for performing various repair procedures using one or more suture anchoring device are also disclosed.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A suture anchor, comprising:
 a proximal anchor body comprising an inner lumen, a proximal opening into the inner lumen, and a distal opening into the inner lumen;   a distal anchor tip comprising a distal exterior portion, a rigid proximal shaft, and a first aperture, wherein the rigid proximal shaft and the first aperture are configured to be received through the distal opening of the proximal anchor body to position the first aperture within the inner lumen; and   an elongated loading member threaded through the first aperture and comprising two trailing ends extending through the proximal opening, wherein at least one of the trailing ends comprises a second aperture.   
     
     
         21 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , wherein the proximal anchor body comprises external bone engaging members. 
     
     
         22 . The suture anchor of  claim 21 , wherein the bone engaging members comprises threads. 
     
     
         23 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , wherein the first aperture is defined by a flexible material. 
     
     
         24 . The suture anchor of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible material comprises a suture. 
     
     
         25 . The suture anchor of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible material comprises a woven fabric. 
     
     
         26 . The suture anchor of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible material comprises a braided fabric. 
     
     
         27 . The suture anchor of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible material is coupled to the rigid proximal shaft. 
     
     
         28 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , comprising additional suture extending from the suture anchor. 
     
     
         29 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , wherein the elongated loading member comprises suture material. 
     
     
         30 . The suture anchor of  claim 29 , wherein the second aperture comprises a loop in the suture material. 
     
     
         31 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , wherein the distal exterior portion of the anchor tip comprises a width that is wider than the rigid proximal shaft and lumen. 
     
     
         32 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , comprising a suture threaded through the second aperture. 
     
     
         33 . The suture anchor of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the proximal anchor body comprises external threads;   the first aperture is defined by a flexible material coupled to the rigid proximal shaft;   the elongated loading member comprises suture material and the second aperture comprises a loop in the suture material; and   the distal exterior portion of the anchor tip comprises a width that is wider than the rigid proximal shaft and lumen.   
     
     
         34 . The suture anchor of  claim 33 , comprising additional suture extending from the suture anchor. 
     
     
         35 . A suture anchor system, comprising two or more suture anchors according to  claim 20 .