Bone anchor and method of anchoring a suture to a bone

A method of anchoring a suture in a bone with a suture anchor having a tip on a leading end, said tip including a hole through which a length of suturing thread extends, at least one resilient wall forming a trailing portion of the suture anchor, comprising the steps of:

• forming a hole in the bone;
• inserting said suture anchor to a desired depth in the hole in the bone with the tip being inserted first, the trailing portion following said tip, and the suturing thread extending from the hole in the tip and then along the length of said trailing portion and out of the hole in the bone;
• and
• urging said resilient wall of said body against the bone in the hole by a spreader member.

A method of anchoring a suture in a bone with a suture anchor having a tip on a leading end, the tip including a hole through which a length of suturing thread extends, at least one wall forming a trailing portion of the body, the wall having a barb defining an edge which is adapted to engage the wall of the hole in the bone, comprising:

• forming a hole in the bone;
• predetermining a desired depth of insertion by selecting an inserter device having a handle and a depth member, spaced distal to the handle, for limiting insertion to the desired depth of insertion of the suture anchor in the hole;
• inserting the suture anchor with the inserter device to the desired depth in the hole in the bone with the tip being inserted first, the trailing portion following the tip, and the suturing thread extending from the hole in the tip and then along the length of said trailing portion and out of the hole in the bone;
• and
• pulling on the portion of the suturing thread extending out of the hole and thereby urging the barb into firmer engagement with the wall of the hole in the bone.

A bone anchor for securing a suture to a bore hole in a bone in combination with a pusher member and a depth member, the combination comprising:

• a bone anchor including an elongated body having a tip at a distal end of the body and means for carrying a suture;
• a pusher member having a handle and a distal tip engagable with said body;
• and
• a depth member being removably disposed on said pusher member distal to the handle to control the depth to which said body is inserted within the hole in the bone.

A method for anchoring a suture and suture anchor within a bone, wherein the suture anchor has a tip through which a hole is formed and through which hole the suture extends, the suture anchor also defining a barb that is adapted to engage the wall of the hole in the bone, comprising:

• forming a hole in the bone;
• selecting an inserter device having a shaft and a depth member mounted to the shaft, the shaft being selectively movable relative to the depth member;
• positioning the suture anchor on the shaft;
• inserting the suture anchor, carrying the suture through the hole in its tip, into the hole in the bone by moving the shaft into the hole;
• and
• limiting the depth of insertion of the anchor member by limiting the movement of the shaft by contacting the depth member against the bone.