Importance

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Abstract

An anchor for attaching an object to a bone-like structure, and a method for deploying same is provided. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs. The barbs are located in axially aligned, circumferentially spaced relation to each other about the body. Each barb is elastically deformable, and has a normal configuration which extends rearwardly and radially outwardly from the body to an outer end located outside a longitudinal projection of the largest geometric cross-section of the body transverse to its longitudinal axis. A bore for engagement by a length of cord-like material extends through the front portion of the body. An opening oriented perpendicularly to the bore extends through the rear portion of the body. A longitudinal slot aligned with the opening connects the front end of the body to the opening. The slot minimizes the force necessary to pull the anchor into a preformed tunnel in the bone-like structure, and allows the anchor to be disconnected from the object and removed after deployment. The method includes the steps of threading cord-like material through the bore; attaching the object to the rear portion of the body; threading the cord-like material through the preformed tunnel; pulling the anchor into, and/or through, the preformed tunnel to a position slightly beyond its desired anchoring location; and exerting a pulling force on the object to set the outer ends of the barbs into the bone-like structure.

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First Claim