Tissue Fastener, and Tissue Fastener System and method Employing the Same

A tissue fastener system for securing a soft tissue to a bone, said bone having a cortex with an exterior surface, and an interior, said tissue fastener system comprising:

• an actuating mechanism;
• and
• a fastener comprising:
• an elongated tubular shaft including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and an aperture extending from the second end of said elongated tubular shaft toward the first end of said elongated tubular shaft, said aperture receiving said actuating mechanism, and
• a collar disposed at or about the second end of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener,
• wherein the first end of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener is structured to be inserted through said soft tissue, through the exterior surface of said cortex and into the interior of said bone,
• wherein said collar of said fastener is structured to engage and secure said soft tissue, and
• wherein, in response to being actuated by said actuating mechanism, a portion of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener is structured to deform against said cortex within said bone, thereby securing said soft tissue between said collar and said exterior surface of said cortex of said bone.

A method of employing a tissue fastener system to fasten a soft tissue to a bone, said tissue fastener system including an actuating mechanism and a fastener, said bone having a cortex with an exterior surface, and an interior, said fastener including an elongated tubular shaft with a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end and including a collar, and an aperture extending from the second end of said elongated tubular shaft toward the first end of said elongated tubular shaft, said aperture receiving said actuating mechanism, said method comprising:

• positioning said soft tissue in a desired location with respect to said exterior surface of said cortex of said bone;
• inserting the first end of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener through said soft tissue, through the exterior surface of said cortex and into said bone until the first end of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener is disposed within the interior of said bone;
• and
• actuating said actuating mechanism within said aperture of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener, in order to deform at least a portion of said elongated tubular shaft of said fastener against said cortex within said bone, thereby securing said soft tissue between said collar of said fastener and said exterior surface of said cortex of said bone.