Apparatus and method for use in positioning an anchor
First Claim
1. A method of positioning an anchor in body tissue, said method comprising the steps of positioning an inserter in an opening in the anchor with a pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor, piercing body tissue with the pointed end portion of the inserter, moving the anchor and inserter into the body tissue with the pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor, disengaging the inserter from the anchor with the anchor disposed in the body tissue, and changing the orientation of the anchor relative to the body tissue, said step of changing the orientation of the anchor relative to the body tissue includes displacing body tissue under the influence of force applied against the body tissue by the anchor and moving the anchor through the body tissue as the body tissue is displaced under the influence of force applied against the body tissue by the anchor.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use in positioning an anchor includes a tubular outer member and an inner or pusher member. During use of the apparatus, a slot facilitates visualization of the position of the anchor relative to body. An anchor retainer may be provided at one end of the tubular outer member to grip the anchor and hold the anchor in place during assembly. The anchor retainer also holds the anchor during movement of the apparatus from an assembly location to an operating room or other location where the apparatus is to be used. Indicia may be provided on the inner member to indicate the position of the anchor relative to body tissue. The tubular outer member may be utilized to guide a drill during formation of an opening in body tissue and may be subsequently utilized to guide movement of an anchor into the opening in the body tissue.
401 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A method of positioning an anchor in body tissue, said method comprising the steps of positioning an inserter in an opening in the anchor with a pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor, piercing body tissue with the pointed end portion of the inserter, moving the anchor and inserter into the body tissue with the pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor, disengaging the inserter from the anchor with the anchor disposed in the body tissue, and changing the orientation of the anchor relative to the body tissue, said step of changing the orientation of the anchor relative to the body tissue includes displacing body tissue under the influence of force applied against the body tissue by the anchor and moving the anchor through the body tissue as the body tissue is displaced under the influence of force applied against the body tissue by the anchor.
- 11. A method of positioning an anchor in body tissue, said method comprising the steps of positioning an inserter in an opening in the anchor with a pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor, piercing bone with the pointed end portion of the inserter, moving the anchor and inserter into the bone with the pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor, disengaging the inserter from the anchor with the anchor disposed in the bone, and changing the orientation of the anchor relative to the bone, said step of changing the orientation of the anchor relative to the bone includes displacing bone tissue under the influence of force applied against the bone tissue by the anchor and moving the anchor through the bone tissue as the bone tissue is displaced under the influence of force applied against the bone tissue by the anchor.
Specification