Anchor inserter
An anchor inserter provides for inserting an anchor into a hole in body tissue. The anchor inserter has an elongated shaft with a first axis and a distal end and an insertion tip. The insertion tip has a driving tip extending distally from the distal end of the shaft to terminate in an anchor engaging interface. A resiliency between the anchor engaging interface and the shaft allows bending away from the first axis. An abutment member extends distally from the shaft and has a distally facing abutment surface adjacent the driving tip which abuts the anchor and allows an axial force to be transmitted thereto. Preferably, the abutment member comprises a collar extending from the shaft and coaxially receiving the driving tip.
1. A method for inserting an anchor into a hole in bodily tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
a) disposing the anchor onto an anchor inserter having a shaft with a first axis and a driving tip extending distally from a distal end of the shaft, the driving tip being engaged to the anchor at an anchor engaging interface of the driving tip;
b) applying a distally directed force to the suture anchor via an abutment member adjacent the driving tip and which extends distally from the shaft to abut the anchor, the force urging the anchor into the hole; and
c) during at least a portion of the performance of step b), bending the driving tip at a resiliency therealong such that the driving tip bends away from the first axis at a location distal of the abutment member.
2. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising maintaining structural integrity of the driving tip in the performance of step c).
3. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising rotating the anchor via a rotational force imparted through the driving tip while performing step b).
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the force applied in step b) is applied through a collar which extends from the shaft and coaxially receives the driving tip.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein that portion of the driving tip received within the collar moves relative to the collar during the performance of step c).
6. A method according to step 1 wherein suture passes from the anchor and through a tool cannulation extending coaxially from the anchor engaging interface.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the suture anchor defines an insertion axis which is aligned with the first axis prior to step c) and angles away therefrom during step c).