Compliant inserter for implants
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsMehmet Ziya Sengun, Justin M. Piccirillo, Gerome Miller, Arthur G. Stephen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved implant inserter, and method of using same, with an elongated, substantially rigid shaft having a proximal surface which is capable of receiving a driving force, and a substantially rigid tip portion having a distal end and a proximal end. At least the distal end of the tip portion is capable of being placed within an implant such as a suture anchor. The inserter further includes a compliant region disposed between the tip portion and the shaft which requires less lateral force to bend than the tip portion, at least when the tip portion has been placed within the implant.
Claims7
1-25. (canceled)
A method of inserting a suture anchor into bone, comprising:
- coupling a suture anchor, having a distal end and a proximal end, and defining a lumen open at the proximal end, to an inserter including an elongated, substantially rigid shaft having a proximal surface which is capable of receiving a driving force, a substantially rigid tip portion having a distal end and a proximal end, by placing the distal end within the lumen of the suture anchor to provide internal support for the suture anchor during insertion into bone, and abutting a distal-facing shoulder at the proximal end of the tip portion against the proximal end of the suture anchor, and wherein the inserter further comprises a compliant region disposed between the shoulder and the shaft which requires less lateral force to bend than the tip portion, at least when the tip portion has been placed within the suture anchor, the compliant region being selected from a) a material more malleable than the tip portion, b) a bellows-type structure, and c) a smaller cross-section region of the shaft;
- and
- driving the suture anchor into the bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.