Importance

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Abstract

An improved suture anchor driver includes a handle and an extending elongated shaft adapted for passing through arthroscopic portals. The distal end of the shaft engages the suture anchor. The shaft is cannulated to allow passage of a suture from the anchor to the handle. The shaft also has a slot in its wall and extending along most of its length in communication with the interior of the shaft. The handle has a grooved knob and adjacent resilient cap for retaining a needle. A sliding member is positioned on the shaft adjacent the needle. The intermediate portion of the suture is looped through an elastic hole in order to maintain it in tension. In use, the anchor is driven into tissue. As the driver is withdrawn, the suture pulls out of the elastic hole and through the shaft. The suture then pulls the needle from the groove. A portion of the needle slides in the slot as the needle travels along the cannula. The sliding member is pulled along by the needle. The sliding member protects the needle and helps to control the rate of its withdrawal.

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First Claim