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 ofproviding an anchor farmed of a hydrophilic material,positioning an inserter in an opening in the anchor formed of hydrophilic material with a pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor formed of hydrophilic material,piercing body tissue with the pointed end portion of the inserter,disengaging the anchor formed of hydrophilic material from the inserter with the anchor formed of hydrophilic material disposed in the body tissue, andexposing the anchor formed of hydrophilic material to body fluids.
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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 tissue. 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.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of positioning an anchor in body tissue, said method comprising the steps of
providing an anchor farmed of a hydrophilic material, positioning an inserter in an opening in the anchor formed of hydrophilic material with a pointed end portion of the inserter extending from the anchor formed of hydrophilic material, piercing body tissue with the pointed end portion of the inserter, disengaging the anchor formed of hydrophilic material from the inserter with the anchor formed of hydrophilic material disposed in the body tissue, and exposing the anchor formed of hydrophilic material to body fluids.
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11. A method of positioning an anchor in body tissue, said method comprising the steps of
providing an anchor formed of hydrophilic material and having an opening extending through the anchor formed of hydrophilic material, inserting a member having pointed end portion through the opening extending through the anchor formed of hydrophilic material to a position in which the pointed end portion of the member is at least partially disposed ahead of a leading end portion of the anchor formed of hydrophilic material, piercing body tissue with the pointed end portion of the member, applying a force against a trialing end portion of the author formed of hydrophilic material to move the leading end portion of the anchor formed of hydrophilic material through an opening which is at least partially formed in the body tissue by piercing the body tissue with the pointed end portion of the member, moving the trailing end portion of the anchor formed of hydrophilic material through the opening which is at least partially formed in the body tissue with the pointed end portion of the member by applying force against the trailing end portion of the anchor formed of hydrophilic material, disengaging the member from the anchor formed of hydrophilic material, exposing the anchor formed of hydrophilic material to body fluid, and expanding the anchor formed of hydrophilic material while the anchor formed of hydrophilic material is disposed in the body tissue.
Specification