The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 13, 2005
Filed:
Feb. 19, 2002
Peter M. Bonutti, Effingham, IL (US);
Peter M. Bonutti, Effingham, IL (US);
Bonutti IP, LLC, Effingham, IL (US);
Abstract
An inserter assembly is operable between a closed condition blocking movement of a suture anchor through the inserter assembly and an open condition in which the inserter assembly is ineffective to block movement of the anchor. The inserter assembly may have an end portion which pierces body tissue. In one embodiment, a tubular member has a plurality of segments which are moved from a closed condition to an open condition. In another embodiment, a plurality of wires extend along an inner side of a passage in a sheath. As the suture anchor slides along the wires, force is transmitted to the sheath to expand the sheath and operate the inserter assembly from the closed condition to the open condition. If desired, the wires may be omitted and the sheath resiliently expanded by a member which encloses the suture anchor. Indicia may be provided to indicate the depth to which the inserter assembly is inserted into body tissue.