Method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum to the acetabulum, including the provision and use of a novel suture anchor system

Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising:

• an anchor assembly comprising an anchor and an actuation element extending from the anchor, wherein applying a force to the actuation element when the anchor is disposed in a hole formed in a bone secures the anchor to the bone;
• and
• an inserter for deploying the anchor assembly in a hole formed in a bone, the inserter comprising:
• a shaft for releasably engaging the anchor;
• and
• a force delivery mechanism mounted to the shaft and connected to the actuation element, the force delivery mechanism being constructed so as to receive an input force from an external source and to selectively apply an output force to the actuation element, with the force delivery mechanism being constructed so that the magnitude of the output force is limited regardless of the magnitude of the input force.

A method for securing an object to bone, the method comprising:

• providing (i) an anchor assembly comprising an anchor and an actuation element extending from the anchor, and (ii) an inserter comprising a shaft for releasably engaging the anchor and a force delivery mechanism mounted to the shaft and connected to the actuation element, the force delivery mechanism being constructed so as to receive an input force from an external source and to selectively apply an output force to the actuation element, with the force delivery mechanism being constructed so that the magnitude of the output force is limited regardless of the magnitude of the input force;
• using the inserter to position the anchor inside a hole formed in a bone;
• and
• using the force delivery mechanism to apply an output force to the actuation element, whereby to secure the anchor to the bone.