METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING TISSUE TO BONE, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF A NOVEL KNOTLESS SUTURE ANCHOR SYSTEM, INCLUDING A RETRACTABLE SHEATH
Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising: an anchor, the anchor comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the proximal section of the lumen a window extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the window being disposed in the vicinity of the intersection between the distal section of the lumen and the proximal section of the lumen and being sized to receive a first object therein an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body, the elongated element comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a locking element mounted to the distal end of the elongated element and disposed in the distal section of the lumen whereby, when the elongated body is disposed in a second object, and a first object extends through the window, and the locking element is thereafter moved proximally, proximal movement of the locking element causes the elongated body to capture the first object to the elongated body, whereby to secure the first object to the second object and an inserter, the inserter comprising: a handle a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, with a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft being mounted to the handle and the distal end of the shaft being configured to releasably engage the elongated body a retractable sheath disposed movably coaxially about the shaft and a movable tab mounted to the proximal end of the retractable sheath for moving the retractable sheath relative to the shaft.
