A method of anchoring soft tissue to a suitable bone site, using a soft suture anchor, includes steps of disposing the soft suture anchor on a shaft of an inserter, and securing a proximal end of a tensioning suture limb, extending proximally from the soft suture anchor, to structure in a handle of the inserter, so that it is maintained in place at a first level of holding tension (T.sub.hold). The inserter shaft is inserted into a hone hole at a desired procedural site, so that the soft suture anchor is positioned at a location where it is to be anchored. A further step involves actuating a control mechanism in the inserter handle to move the structure proximally to apply a second level of deployment tension (T.sub.load) to the tensioning suture limb.

An anchoring system can use an implant delivery device to deploy an implant into a pre-drilled bore, to secure one or more sutures between a threaded outer surface of an implant body and a wall of the bore. The implant delivery device can controllably rotate the implant about its longitudinal axis. The implant delivery device can include a projection extending distally from a distal end of an inner shaft. The implant delivery device can controllably translate a wire between a distally extended position, at which the wire can form a closed loop with the projection and a distal end of the inner shaft, and a proximally retracted position, at which the wire can be at least partially retracted into the distal end of the inner shaft.

A method of anchoring soft tissue to a suitable bone site, using a soft suture anchor, includes steps of disposing the soft suture anchor on a shaft of an inserter, and securing a proximal end of a tensioning suture limb, extending proximally from the soft suture anchor, to structure in a handle of the inserter, so that it is maintained in place at a first level of holding tension (T.sub.hold). The inserter shaft is inserted into a bone hole at a desired procedural site, so that the soft suture anchor is positioned at a location where it is to be anchored. A further step involves actuating a control mechanism in the inserter handle to move the structure proximally to apply a second level of deployment tension (T.sub.load) to the tensioning suture limb.

A method of anchoring soft tissue to a suitable bone site, using a soft suture anchor, includes steps of disposing the soft suture anchor on a shaft of an inserter, and securing a proximal end of a tensioning suture limb, extending proximally from the soft suture anchor, to structure in a handle of the inserter, so that it is maintained in place at a first level of holding tension (T.sub.hold). The inserter shaft is inserted into a hone hole at a desired procedural site, so that the soft suture anchor is positioned at a location where it is to be anchored. A further step involves actuating a control mechanism in the inserter handle to move the structure proximally to apply a second level of deployment tension (T.sub.load) to the tensioning suture limb.

Embodiments may include fixation devices and methods for securing first and second body tissue portions. Fixation devices may include a base component, an insert component, and a flexible member. The base component may include a passage. The insert component may be positionable within at least a portion of the passage. The elongate member may be configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions. The elongate member may be tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second portions.

An apparatus and its method of use in delivering surgical tissue connectors into an area of the body and removing the surgical tissue connectors from the body area. The tissue connectors are connected to a base which allows for easy adjustment of the tissue connectors along a cord. The base includes a locking mechanism which impinges a sliding knot in the cord, and, in alternate configurations of the locking mechanism and knot, impinges on the sliding knot to prevent sliding in a loosening direction but allow sliding in a tightening direction, or allows sliding in a loosening direction.

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

A retrievable puncture anchor includes a fixator with a cylindrical structure, a retrievable thread secured to one end of the fixator, and a push cable flexibly connected to a middle part of the fixator. Via the retrievable puncture anchor, tissues may be connected, fixed and matched with each other, or the tissues may be auxiliarily fixed, so that endoscopic surgery may be facilitated with simplified surgical process, and the puncture anchor may be retrieved after the surgery.

An apparatus and its method of use in delivering surgical tissue connectors into an area of the body and removing the surgical tissue connectors from the body area. The tissue connectors are connected to a base which allows for easy adjustment of the tissue connectors along a cord. The base includes a locking mechanism which impinges a sliding knot in the cord, and, in alternate configurations of the locking mechanism and knot, impinges on the sliding knot to prevent sliding in a loosening direction but allow sliding in a tightening direction, or allows sliding in a loosening direction.

An anchor for tensile member(s) includes: a housing having a hollow interior; a collet in the hollow interior of the housing, the collet having a peripheral wall defining a central bore and an exterior surface. The collet is configured to be swaged around the tensile member(s). The collet includes longitudinal grooves in an outer surface of the peripheral wall, each defining a web configured to collapse inward in response to external compressive force. A sleeve has a peripheral wall defining interior and exterior surfaces and is disposed in the housing axially adjacent to the collet. At least one of the collet and the sleeve is tapered and the sleeve and the collet are arranged such that sleeve movement from a first position to a second position will cause the sleeve to bear against the collet, swaging the collet radially inwards around and against the tensile member(s).