A tissue anchor includes a driver head associated with a proximal portion of the tissue anchor, a pointed tip portion associated with a distal portion of the tissue anchor, a tissue-engagement portion disposed between the driver head and the pointed tip portion, and a cover configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue-engagement portion.

Various exemplary systems and devices for knotless anchor insertion and methods of knotless anchor insertion are provided. In general, an inserter tool is configured for knotless anchor insertion in a soft tissue repair surgical procedure. The inserter tool is configured to insert an anchor into a bone of a patient to secure a soft tissue relative to the bone. A suture coupled to the soft tissue is secured relative to the bone by being trapped between an exterior surface of the anchor and a bone surface defining a hole in the bone in which the anchor is positioned.

Various exemplary systems and devices for knotless anchor insertion and methods of knotless anchor insertion are provided. In general, an inserter tool is configured for knotless anchor insertion in a soft tissue repair surgical procedure. The inserter tool is configured to insert an anchor into a bone of a patient to secure a soft tissue relative to the bone. A suture coupled to the soft tissue is secured relative to the bone by being trapped between an exterior surface of the anchor and a bone surface defining a hole in the bone in which the anchor is positioned.

A tissue repair assembly for attachment of tissue to bone or tissue to tissue having a soft anchoring implant 100 with a length of suture 120 there through for tensioning the implant and facilitating attachment of other tissue. The implant 100 is a soft, flexible, three-dimensional structure that has a resident volume 200. An inserter tube 310 facilitates the placement of the implant 100 into bone or adjacent soft tissue where it may be deployed. Upon deployment, the soft anchoring implant 100 shortens axially and expands radially, achieving a larger diameter than the hole through which it was placed, thus resisting pull out.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing tissue to bone, including drilling a bone hole into the bone; passing a filament through the tissue, the filament including a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, the second end having a loop; passing the first end of the filament through the loop of the filament; pulling on the first end of the filament such that the loop travels along the length of the filament and to the tissue; passing an anchor along the length of the filament, from the first end towards the loop and tissue; engaging the loop with a distal end of the anchor; positioning the distal end of the anchor, with the loop of the filament, into the bone hole; and securing the anchor in the bone.

Described herein is a suture for connecting a human or animal tissue comprising a suture strand, wherein at least two protrusions are provided on the suture strand, the protrusions are provided spaced apart from each other along the suture strand. Also described herein is a soft anchor, the soft anchor having a proximal end and a distal end in an insertion direction. At the proximal end and the distal end the soft anchor includes respectively at least one opening for a suture. The proximal end and the distal end of the soft anchor are connected with at least one, in particular two, connecting portions. The soft anchor has a first state, in which it is adapted to be inserted into a bore in the insertion direction, and a second state, in which it is locked in a bore. In the first state, the distal end and the proximal end defines the extension of the soft anchor in insertion direction.

The present disclosure includes a soft material anchoring system including an elongate, tubular braided soft anchoring implant. The implant has a first elongate state where the implant may easily slide within a bone tunnel, and a second axially compressed state where the implant is wedged within the bone tunnel. The implant also includes at least one suture pathway that extends along and through an implant side wall; this pathway receives at least a portion of a length of suture that is also attached to soft tissue. This length of suture may slide along the suture pathway and transition the implant from the first elongate state to the second compressed state. The system also includes a binding element that at least partially extends within the implant, the binding element having both a first larger binding portion and a second smaller sliding portion.

A surgical fastener comprising a generally flat, circular body and a generally cylindrical post fixedly coupled to a center of the body extending perpendicular to the body. Both of the body and the post include through holes configured for passage of a suture. A length of the post is selected to extend through both of a bone graft and at least a portion of bone for providing shear and/or anti-rotational support to the surgical fastener across a fracture line in the bone.

A flat-type sleeve anchor is shape-deformed after being inserted into a bone so as to fix, to the bone, soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles and, particularly, to a flat-type sleeve anchor which employs an anchor body made of a flat material, so that the anchor can be easily inserted into a bond and then shape-deformed.

The present invention describes a bio-medically compatible gripping device capable of radial collapse in accordance with the shrinkage of a nylon or other polymeric material cored surgical cable undergoing tension while maintaining a firm grip for prolonged periods of time. It provides a gripping device capable of maintaining a non-damaging hold on the outer surface of a slippery delicate cable under high tension for a sufficient time in which the healing process can occur.