Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for use in positioning a suture anchor includes a tubular outer member and an inner or pusher member. During assembly of the apparatus, a suture is positioned in a slot in the outer member. During use of the apparatus, the slot facilitates visualization of the position of the suture anchor relative to body tissue. In addition, the slot facilitates separation of the apparatus from the suture after the suture anchor has been positioned in the body tissue. A suture anchor retainer may be provided at one end of the tubular outer member to grip the suture anchor and hold the suture anchor in place during assembly. The suture anchor retainer also holds the suture anchor during movement of the apparatus from an assembly location to an operating room or other location where the apparatus is to be used. Indicia may be provided on the inner member to indicate the position of the suture anchor relative to body tissue. The tubular outer member may be utilized to guide a drill during formation of an opening in body tissue and may be subsequently utilized to guide movement of a suture anchor into the opening in the body tissue.

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First Claim