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. An anchor inserter for inserting an anchor into a hole in body tissue, the anchor inserter comprising an elongated shaft having a first axis and a distal end; and
an insertion tip, the insertion tip comprising:
a driving tip extending distally from the distal end of the shaft to terminate in an anchor engaging interface
an abutment member extending distally from the shaft and having a distally facing abutment surface adjacent the driving tip whereby to abut an anchor and allow an axial force to be transmitted thereto; and
a resiliency in the driving tip which allows bending away from the first axis at a location distal of the abutment member.
2. An anchor inserter according to claim 1 wherein the abutment member comprises a collar extending from the shaft and coaxially receiving the driving tip.
3. An anchor inserter according to claim 2 and further comprising a co-axial gap between the collar and the driving tip.
4. An anchor inserter according to claim 3 wherein the gap is annular and wherein the resiliency is such that the driving tip can be bent away from the first axis to close at least a portion of the gap and contact the collar without the driving tip breaking.
5. An anchor inserter according to claim 2 wherein the driving tip and collar are not interconnected except through their connection to the shaft.
6. An anchor inserter according to claim 2 wherein the driving tip extends distally from the shaft about twice as far as the collar extends distally from the shaft.
7. An anchor inserter according to claim 1 wherein the anchor engaging interface comprises a hex driver.
8. An anchor inserter according to claim 1 and further comprising a tool cannulation extending coaxially from the anchor engaging interface at least to the shaft.
9. An anchor inserter according to claim 1 and further comprising an anchor attached to the insertion tip with the anchor engaging interface of the driving tip received within a complementary tool receiving recess in the anchor and with the abutment surface engaged against a proximally facing surface of the anchor.
10. An anchor inserter according to claim 9 wherein the anchor defines an insertion axis and the driving tip has a first configuration wherein the first axis is axially aligned with insertion axis and a second position wherein the driving tip is bent such that the insertion axis is out of alignment with the first axis.