Suture anchoring instrument

An apparatus for inserting surgical implants, comprising:

• a) a handle, comprising first and second cavities and first and second doors releasably engaged with the handle, each door comprising a plurality of cleats on the door inner surface, said handle further comprising first and second suture slots;
• b) a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, wherein the shaft second end removably engages the handle and wherein the shaft first end may removably engage with the handle, wherein the shaft comprises first and second posts extending substantially perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft first end comprises first and second installation prongs, the shaft second end comprises first and second removal prongs, the shaft further comprises first and second furrows extending substantially from said shaft first end and toward shaft second end;
• c) an anchor extending along a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends, comprising threads, an eyelet, and first and second channels, wherein the anchor proximal end engages the shaft first end, and the first and second channels and first and second installation prong are keyed to engage one another;
• d) at least one suture having first and second ends, wherein the at least one suture passes through the eyelet, the first suture end further comprises a first needle and is engaged with the plurality of cleats of the first door, the second suture end further comprises a second needle and is engaged with the plurality of cleats of the second door, whereby the first and second needles are located in the first and second cavities, respectively;
• and
• e) a tap sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends, the tap sleeve having a blind bore with an opening at said tap sleeve proximal end and extending longitudinally toward said tap sleeve distal end, the tap sleeve distal end comprising a tap, the tap sleeve proximal end comprising first and second notches keyed to engage first and second posts;
• whereby the first and second suture ends are directed along and within said first and second furrows, respectively, toward the handle, whereby the first suture end communicates with the first cavity and the second suture end communicates with the second cavity, wherein the tap sleeve removably accommodates said anchor, said at least one suture, and at least a portion of the shaft first end via the tap sleeve blind bore.

A method for attaching soft tissue to bone, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an apparatus comprising:
• i) a handle, comprising first and second cavities and first and second doors releasably engaged with the handle, each door comprising a plurality of cleats on the door inner surface, said handle further comprising first and second suture slots;
• ii) a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, the shaft second end removably engaged with the handle;
• iii) an anchor extending along a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends and comprising an eyelet, wherein the anchor proximal end engages the shaft first end;
• iv) at least one suture having first and second ends, the suture being threaded through the eyelet, the first suture end comprising a first needle and the second suture end comprising a second needle, wherein the first suture end is engaged with the plurality of cleats of the first door and the second suture end is engaged with the plurality of cleats of the second door;
• and
• v) a tap sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end comprises a tap, the tap sleeve further comprising a blind bore extending along the longitudinal axis, the tap sleeve removably attached to the shaft first end and accommodating the anchor, at least a portion of the at least one suture, and at least a portion of the shaft first end;
• b) forming a threaded hole in a bony structure with the tap of the tap sleeve removably attached to the shaft first end;
• c) removing the tap sleeve from the shaft first end;
• d) inserting the anchor into the threaded hole;
• and
• e) attaching soft tissue to said suture.