Knotless tissue anchor

Abstract

There is disclosed a radially expandable knotless tissue anchor including an expandable outer member defining a bore and an inner member slidably positioned within the bore. Relative longitudinal movement of the inner member relative to the expandable member causes a portion of the expandable member to expand radially outwardly. The tissue anchor further includes a length of suture material having a first end affixed to a distal end of the inner member and a second end preferably affixed to a suturing needle. A transverse bore is provided adjacent the distal end of the inner member. There is also disclosed a method of knotlessly anchoring a section of tissue to a section of bone having a bore drilled therethrough. The method includes passing the suture through the tissue and positioning the expandable member and a section of tissue within the interior of the bore drilled in bone. Expansion of the expandable member secures the suture between the expandable member and the bone to thereby secure the attached tissue to bone. There is also disclosed a method of knotlessly securing a section of ligament within an elongated bore drilled in bone. The method includes passing the length of suture through the ligament and drawing the ligament adjacent the distal end of the inner member and wrapping or lashing the ligament to the distally inner member. Distal movement of the expandable member relative to the inner member causes expansion of the expandable member to secure both the suture and the section of ligament between the expandable member and the bone. Additionally, a distal movement of the expandable member forces the lashed sections of suture off the inner member.