Notched suture hook

Abstract

A suture hook for use in arthroscopic repairs of the shoulder has a tapered shaft and a handle disposed on the proximal end of the shaft. An O-ring post for holding suture is disposed on the handle. A curved hook on the distal end of the shaft terminates in a sharp point for piercing tissue. A slot is formed distally on the convex side of the hook for receiving a loop of the suture. A length of suture loaded as a loop onto the suture anchor is held in the slot and secured by wrapping the suture tails around the O-ring post. The loaded suture hook is advanced through tissue by piercing the tissue with the sharp tip. The suture is then released from the post and the hook is retrograded leaving the loop of suture available for further surgical manipulation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.