Paragraph Number

103

FIG. 13 depicts an illustrative example of an inserter 200 for use with the suture anchor 100. FIGS. 14-19 depict the inserter 200 in use with the suture anchor 100. The inserter 200 extends from a proximal end 202 to a distal end 204. The inserter 200 has an elongated hollow shaft 206 and an elongated pushrod 208 mounted for axial translation within the hollow shaft. The shaft 206 includes an engagement feature at its distal end operable to engage the proximal member 104 of the suture anchor 100 in axial force transmitting relationship. In the illustrative example of FIG. 13, the shaft 206 includes an external helical thread 216 engageable with the internal helical thread 161 of the proximal member 104 (FIG. 14). The distal end of the pushrod 208 has a first portion 210 sized to engage the proximal end of the suture locking member 160 in axial force transmitting relationship while being operable to slide through the aperture 182 of the retainer 180. The distal end of the pushrod 208 has a second portion 212 sized to engage the proximal end of the retainer 180 in axial force transmitting relationship. The first portion 210 extends distally from the second portion 212. An advancement mechanism 214 at the proximal end of the inserter 200 is operable to advance the pushrod 208 distally relative to the shaft 206. For example, the advancement mechanism 214 may include any pushrod advancement mechanism such as those well known in the art for advancing plungers in syringe injectors, bone cement injectors, and other liquid and paste dispensers. The example of FIG. 13 illustrates such a mechanism including a trigger mounted to a base member in pivoting relationship. The pushrod is slidingly engaged with the base member and a pair of advancement plates. When the trigger is actuated, it presses on the advancement plates causing them to tilt and bind on the pushrod. Further actuation of the trigger advances the advancement plates and the pushrod distally together. When the trigger is released, a spring straightens the advancement plates and moves the advancement plates and the trigger proximally back to their initial positions. A ratchet mechanism prevents the pushrod from moving proximally. The ratchet mechanism includes ratchet teeth cut into the proximal end of the pushrod and a spring loaded ratchet pawl mounted in the base member at the rear of the pushrod. An actuator (not shown) may be actuated to disengage the ratchet pawl so that the pushrod may be moved proximally and reset to its initial position.

Added by DJM 9 2021