Soft tissue repair device and associated methods

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/347,661, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,749,250, filed on Feb. 3, 2006. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/935,681 filed on Nov. 6, 2007. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/869,440 filed on Oct. 9, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/408,282, filed on Apr. 20, 2006. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,506, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,601,165, filed on Sep. 29, 2006. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/885,057, filed on Jan. 16, 2007, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/885,062, filed on Jan. 16, 2007. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Tears caused by trauma or disease in fibrous soft tissue, such as cartilage, ligament, or muscle, can be repaired by suturing. Various repair devices have been developed for facilitating suturing and are effective for their intended purposes. Nevertheless, tissue repair devices for facilitating suturing are still desirable.

[0003] The present teachings provide a fibrous tissue repair device that includes an inserter having a solid distal portion defining an external surface, and a single anchor carried solely on the external surface of the distal portion of the inserter.

[0004] In another aspect, the fibrous tissue repair device includes a handle, a first inserter movable relative to the handle, the first inserter having a distal portion defining an external surface, a first anchor pre-loaded on the external surface of the first inserter, and a first slider coupled to the handle for moving the first inserter between deployment and retraction positions. The repair device can also include a second inserter movable relative to the handle, the second inserter having a distal portion defining an external surface, a second anchor pre-loaded on the external surface of the second inserter, and a second slider coupled to the handle for moving the second inserter between deployment and retraction positions. Further, the repair device can include a slider control mechanism coupled to the first and second sliders and operable to control a motion sequence of the first and second inserters such that the first inserter is constrained to move to a deployment position before the second inserter, and a flexible strand coupling the first and second anchors, the flexible strand passing through portions of the first and second anchors and forming an adjustable knotless loop.

[0005] The present teachings also provide a method of repairing fibrous tissue. The method includes preloading a first anchor externally onto a first inserter, passing the first inserter from a first side to a second side of the fibrous tissue at a first location, delivering the first anchor on the second side of the fibrous tissue, and retracting the first inserter away from the tissue.

[0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0054] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For example, although the present teachings are illustrated in an application for meniscus repair in knee surgery, the present teachings can also be used for repairing any fibrous tissue, such as muscle, ligament or tendon in an arthroscopic or other open procedure, including rotator cuff reconstruction, acromioclavicular (AC) reconstruction, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) and generally for fastening tendons, grafts, or strands to fibrous tissue and bone. Additionally, the present teachings can be used for repairing tissue in cardiological, laparoscopic, urological, plastic or other procedures.

[0055] An exemplary tissue repair device 100 according to the present teachings is illustrated in FIG. 1, and in a kit form in FIG. 1A. The device 100 can include one or more inserters 102 and a cannula 200. The inserters 102 can be single-use, disposable, or sterilizable inserters. Each inserter 102 can be externally pre-loaded on its outer or external surface 121 with a single flexible anchor 150, as described below. The inserter 102 can include a handle 104 and a solid shaft 106 having a solid distal portion 108.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the distal portion 108 can include a sharp edge 110 defined by an inclined surface 112. The distal portion 108 can also include an external groove or slot 120 which is formed in a direction that is transverse or substantially perpendicular to the shaft 106. The distal portion 108 can also include two opposing substantially planar surfaces 116 defining a buttress 118. It will be appreciated that the outer or external surface 121 of the distal portion 108 incorporates the external groove 120, the planar surfaces 116 and the buttress 118.

[0057] The flexible anchor 150 can be an elongated member having first and second ends 152, 154. The flexible anchor 150 can be made of resorbable or non-resorbable materials, including braided suture, sponges and sponge-like materials in solid form, perforated materials, woven/braided from biocompatible materials or fibers, such as, for example, polymer, polyester, polyethylene, cotton, silk, or other natural or synthetic materials, including sponges and sponge-like materials. The flexible anchor 150 can also be an elongated tubular or solid member or a two-dimensional member with or without internal bores. The flexible anchor 150 can have any properties that allow the flexible anchor 150 to change shape. The flexible anchor 150 can be, for example, compliant, flexible, foldable, squashable, squeezable, deformable, limp, flaccid, elastic, low-modulus, soft, spongy, perforated or any other flexible member which can change shape. In some aspects, the flexible anchor 150 can be coated with biological or biocompatible coatings, and it can also be soaked in platelets and other biologics, which can be easily absorbed by the flexible anchor 150 in particular when, for example, the flexible anchor 150 is made from spongy, absorbent material.

[0058] It should be understood by the above description that the flexible anchor 150 cannot pierce or otherwise penetrate tissue either with the first and second ends 152, 154 or with any portion thereof. The flexible anchor 150 can be loaded solely on the external surface 121 of the distal portion 108 of the shaft 106 in a folded configuration, such at the first and second ends 152, 154 are facing each other. Accordingly, no portion of the anchor 150 is received even partially in or within the inserter, in contrast to prior art hollow needles and tubes that define an interior tubular surface within which one or more anchors are held substantially in their entirety. More specifically, an intermediate portion 156 of the flexible anchor 150 can be smoothly bent in a substantially U-shape, and draped over the external groove 120, while the first and second ends 152, 154 extend along the flat portions 116 of the shaft 106 of the inserter 102. The flexible anchor 150 can be in the form of an elongate flexible tube defining a bore 158 along its length, as shown in FIG. 9A. The flexible anchor 150 can be formed of suture braided without a core.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 6-8, the cannula 200 can include a handle 202 and a tubular or hollow shaft 204. The shaft 204 of the cannula 200 can have a longitudinal bore 220 having an inner diameter sized to receive the shaft 106 of the inserter 102. The shaft 204 of the cannula 200 can have a distal end 206 which can be perpendicular relative to the shaft 204, although it can be also be slanted relative to the shaft 204 as shown in phantom line in FIG. 6. The distal end 206 of the cannula 200 has a rounded, blunt or smooth edge, which is not intended to or capable of piercing or otherwise penetrating tissue, whether the distal end 206 is slanted or perpendicular to the shaft 204.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 8, the cannula shaft 204 can include a cut-away slot 208 defining a viewing window 210. The window 210 can be covered with clear plastic, for example in the form of a tubular member 212 received in the bore 220 of the cannula shaft 204.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the soft tissue repair device 100 can be used with a depth limiter 500. The depth limiter 500 can be installed over the shaft 106 of the inserter 102 and between the handle 104 of the inserter 102 and the handle 204 of the cannula 200. The depth limiter can operate as an actuator using, for example, a rack-and-gear mechanism to move the shaft 106 of the inserter 102 relative to the shaft 204 of the cannula 200 between the position shown in FIG. 4, and the position shown in FIG. 5. In the position of FIG. 4, the inserter 102 extends a distance “D” beyond the distal end 206 of the cannula 200. In the position of FIG. 5, the inserter 102 extends a distance “D−d” beyond the distal end 206 of the cannula 200, where “d” is a retraction distance of the depth limiter 500. Alternatively, a separate disposable depth limiter in the form of a plastic tube 200′ that can be cut to a desired depth by removing a portion of length “d” can also be used over the shaft 106 of the inserter 102, as shown in FIG. 1A. The cannula 200, on the other hand, can be reusable.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 9A-9C, the flexible anchor 150 can be assembled bent in a U-shape form on the inserter 102 with a continuous strand loop 300 attached thereon. The strand loop 300 can be formed by a single segment of flexible strand 301 passing through the bore 158 of the anchor 150, such that the strand loop 300 includes a first external segment or portion 302 outside the bore 158 and between the ends 152, 154, and a second external segment portion 304 located outside the bore 158 and exiting the bore 158 from exit positions or openings 160, 162 on opposite sides of the bent U-shape of the flexible anchor 150. The flexible strand 301 can be made of braided filaments or fibers of biocompatible material, including natural and synthetic fibers, such as cotton, silk, polymer, polyester, polyethylene, thin wire, suture, and other materials.

[0063] The strand loop 300 can be formed by tying the ends of the segment with a knot 306 which can be positioned on either the first external portion 302 or the second external portion 304, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C respectively. It will be appreciated that the loop 300 can define first and second secondary loops or sub-loops 310, 312. The first sub-loop 310 can include the first external portion 302, and the second sub-loop can include the second external portion 304. The first and second sub-loops 310, 312 can intersect each other, and each sub-loop 310, 312 can pass through the bent portion of the bore 158 corresponding to the intermediate portion 156 of the flexible anchor 150.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 10-15, the soft tissue repair device 100 can be used to repair a soft tissue defect 90, such as, for example, a tear, or other weakness in fibrous soft tissue 80, such as in meniscal tissue, cartilage, muscle or other fibrous tissue under the skin. After an outer incision is made through the skin to access the soft tissue 80, the cannula 200 can be positioned through the incision without cutting or piercing any tissue and placed adjacent the soft tissue 80, such as fibrous meniscal tissue, and operate as an access portal for the inserter 102, as shown in FIG. 11. In the following exemplary procedure, the kit of FIG. 1A that includes first and second inserters 102 can be used with the cannula 200 to repair the soft tissue 80. The first and second inserters 102 and their respective features, although identical, will be distinguished for descriptive clarity by appending the letters “a” and “b”, e.g. inserters 102a, 102b, shafts 106a, 106b, etc., when desirable for further clarity. Similarly, the associated anchors 150 and their features, as well as other devices used in the procedure will also be distinguished, by appending the letters “a” and “b”, when desirable for further descriptive clarity.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 10, the first inserter 102a can be assembled with the first anchor 150a externally coupled thereon, as shown. A first flexible strand 350a having a first “free” end 352 and a second end 354 can be coupled on a first threader 400a with a slip knot 356. The first strand 350a can pass through the first strand loop 300a at the second external portion 304a. The second inserter 102b can be assembled with the second anchor 150b externally coupled thereon, as shown. A second strand 350b coupled to a second threader 400b can pass through the second strand loop 300b at the second external portion 304b of the second anchor 150b. Accordingly, the first and second inserters 102a, 102b can be independently pre-assembled, such that the first and second anchors 150a, 150b are only connectable to each other intra-operatively.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 11-14, in an exemplary meniscal repair of a knee joint, the cannula 200 can be passed through the incision into the knee joint without piercing any fibrous tissue, except the tissue of the knee joint capsule, and positioned adjacent the meniscus. The first inserter 102a can be passed through the cannula 200 and into the soft tissue 80 or meniscus from a first side of the defect 90 until the shaft 106a of the first inserter 102a can exit a second side 82 of the soft tissue 80, such as an outer surface or back side of the meniscus of the knee joint or other outer surface of a fibrous tissue, for example. The shaft 106a of the first inserter 102a can be sufficiently pushed through the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80 such that upon retraction of the first shaft 106a, the first anchor 150a can be pulled off the first shaft 106a by the spontaneously closing tissue and remain on the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80 at a first location, as shown in FIG. 12. The first inserter 102a can then be removed and discarded.

[0067] It will be appreciated that the manner and structure of the pre-assembled inserter 102 and anchor 150 allows the anchor 150 to pass through a narrow opening or slit formed in the tissue 80 by the edge 110 of the inserter 102 in a first low-profile folded configuration defining a plane “A”, as shown in FIG. 9D, and deposited in that configuration outside the tissue 80. It will be appreciated that the flexible anchor 150 is deployed in its U-shape configuration with the first and second ends 152, 154 being delivered substantially simultaneously. Further, it will be understood that tightening the first strand loop 300 by pulling on the second external portion 304 can cause the anchor 150 to deform to a second configuration having a substantially flat round-like or knurled shape. Further pulling on the second external portion 304 can rotate the first anchor 150a from a first orientation defined by plane A and substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 82 to a second orientation such that the deformed anchor 150 can define a plane “B” substantially parallel to and lying on the outer surface 82 of the soft tissue 80 in a substantially flat shape, as shown in FIG. 9E.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the first strand 350a can be captured by the second threader 400 and passed through the second external portion 304b of the second strand loop 300b of the second anchor 150b, which is pre-loaded on the second inserter 102b, as shown in FIG. 13. The second inserter 102b can be inserted through the cannula 200 which is positioned adjacent but without piercing the fibrous tissue as described above, and the second anchor 150b can be delivered to the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80 at a second location, as shown in FIG. 14. The second inserter 102b can then be removed and discarded.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 15, the first strand 350a can be captured by the first threader 400a, and the free end 352 can be passed through the slip knot 356. The free end 352 of the first strand 350a can be tensioned, thereby deforming each of the anchors 150a, 150b to a substantially flat round-like or knurled shape that can lie substantially flat on the second side 82 of the soft tissue, and compressing the defect 90. Any excess portion of the first strand 350a can be cut off, as shown in FIG. 16. It will be appreciated that more than two anchors 150 can be deployed using a corresponding number of inserters 102. The additional anchors 150 can be connected with the first strand 350a after the second anchor 150b is deployed in the manner described above. Alternatively, additional anchors 150 can be connected independently of the first and second anchors 150a, 150b, either in pairs or singly.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the flexible strand 350 can be pre-loaded on the first and second anchors 150, 150b, with the free end 352 passing through the slip knot 356, as shown. The first and second anchors 150a, 150b can be deployed as described above using the first and second inserters 102a, 102b with the interconnected anchors 150a, 150b assembled thereon. The bore 220 of the hollow shaft 204 of the cannula 200 can have an elongated shape, or an eight-like shape shown in phantom lines in FIG. 15A, for receiving both the first and second inserters 102a, 102b sequentially or simultaneously. The handles 104a, 104b of the first and second inserters 102a, 102b can have corresponding flat surfaces 105a, 105b, facing one another and slidable relative to one another, such that each of the first and second inserters 102a, 102b can be independently inserted into or retracted from the cannula bore 220 without interference or obstruction from the other.

[0071] Alternative loop arrangements for coupling and deforming flexible anchors 150a, 150b are discussed below in reference with FIGS. 33-38.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 17-26, a similar procedure can be used to repair a defect 90 in soft tissue 80 using a non-deformable or substantially rigid anchor 600. The anchor 600 can be made of any biocompatible material, such as, for example, titanium or other non-resorbable or resorbable material, including polymeric materials and Lactosorbe commercially available from Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, Ind. Referring to FIG. 20, the anchor 600 can be tubular defining a longitudinal bore 602 that extends between first and second ends 604, 606 of the anchor 600. The longitudinal bore 602 can be substantially D-shaped. The ends 604, 606 of the anchor 600 have blunt rounded edges substantially perpendicular to the anchor 600, such that the ends 604, 606 are not capable and not intended for piercing or penetrating tissue. The anchor 600 can further define a transverse bore 610 oriented at an angle to the longitudinal bore 602, such as, for example, 90-degrees or other suitable angle relative to the longitudinal bore 602. A flexible strand loop 620 can be passed through the transverse bore 610.

[0073] Alternative non-deformable anchors and loop arrangements are discussed below in reference with FIGS. 39A-41.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 17-19, the anchor 600 can be inserted in tissue using an inserter 650 similar to the inserter 102 shown in FIG. 1A, but configured to be coupled with the anchor 600. The inserter 650 can be used with the cannula 200, as described above. The inserter 650 can include a handle 652, and a solid shaft 654 having a solid distal portion 656. The distal portion 656 can terminate at a sharp edge 658 defined by a slanted surface 660. The distal portion 656 can include a buttress or stop 668 on which the second end 606 of the anchor 600 can abut, as shown in FIG. 18. The distal portion 656 that extends between the slanted surface 660 and the buttress 668 can have a D-shaped cross-section configured to be received in the D-shaped longitudinal bore 602 of the anchor 600 in a keyed manner that does not permit relative rotation between the anchor 600 and the shaft 654.

[0075] The inserter 650 and anchor 600 can be used for fibrous tissue repair as described above in reference to FIGS. 10-16. In one exemplary procedure, illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, first and second disposable inserters 650a and 650b independently pre-assembled with first and second anchors 600a, 600b, respectively, can be used. Each anchor 600a, 600b can include a corresponding strand loop 670a, 670b passing through each transverse bore 610a, 610b. A first flexible strand 680 having a first or free end 682 and a second end 684 can be passed through the first strand loop 670a and coupled with a slip knot 686 to a first threader 400a. Similarly, a second flexible strand 680b coupled to a second threader 400b can pass through the second strand loop 670b.

[0076] The first inserter 650a can be passed through the cannula 200 into the soft tissue 80 from a first side of the defect 90 until the shaft 654a of the first inserter 650a can exit the second side 82 of the fibrous soft tissue 80, such that upon retraction of the first shaft 654a, the first anchor 650a can be pulled off the first shaft 654a by the closing tissue and remain on the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80 at a first location, as shown in FIG. 27. The first inserter 650a can then be removed and discarded.

[0077] The first strand 680a can be captured intra-operatively by the second threader 400b and passed through the second strand loop 670b of the second anchor 600b which is pre-loaded on the second inserter 650b, as shown in FIG. 22. The second inserter 650b can be inserted through the cannula 200 and the second anchor 600b can be delivered to the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80 at a second location, as shown in FIG. 27. The second inserter 650b can be removed and discarded.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 23, the first strand 680a can be captured by the first threader 400a and the free end 682 can be passed through the slip knot 686. The free end 682 of the first strand 680a can be tensioned, thereby rotating the anchors 600a, 600b such that each anchor 60a, 600b is positioned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the surface of the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80. Tensioning the first strand 680a further can compress the defect 90. Any excess portion of the first strand 380a can be cut off, as shown in FIG. 27.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 24-26, an alternative intra-operative strand connection for the first and second anchors 600a, 600b is illustrated in which strand loops such as loops 670a, 670b shown in FIGS. 21-23 are not used. Rather, the first inserter 650a can be assembled with the first strand 680a passing through the transverse bore 610a of the first anchor 600a and coupled to the first threader 600a, as shown in FIG. 24. Similarly, the second inserter 650b can be also assembled with the second strand 680b passing through the transverse bore 610b of the second anchor 600b and coupled to the second threader 400b. After the first anchor 600a is implanted on the second side 82 of the soft tissue 80 and the first inserter 650a is removed and discarded, the first strand 680a can be pulled by the second threader 400b through the transverse bore 610b of the second anchor 600b, as shown in FIG. 25. After the second anchor 600b is also implanted and the second inserter 650b removed and discarded, the free end 682 of the first strand 680a can be captured by the first threader 400a and passed through the slip knot 686, as shown in FIG. 26. The first strand 680 is then tensioned to reduce the defect 90, as described above and shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 26A and 26B, the flexible strand 680 can be pre-loaded on the first and second anchors 600a, 600b with the free end 682 passing through the slip knot 686, as shown. The first and second anchors 600a, 600b, can be deployed as described above using the first and second inserters 650a, 650b with the interconnected anchors 600a, 600b assembled thereon. The bore 220 of the hollow shaft 204 of the cannula 200 can have an elongated shape, or an eight-like shape as described in connection with FIG. 15B above. The cannula 200 can be used for receiving both the first and second inserters 650a, 650b sequentially or simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 26B. The handles 652a, 652b of the first and second inserters 650a, 650b can have corresponding flat surfaces 655a, 655b, facing one another and slidable relative to one another, such that each of the first and second inserters 650a, 650b can be independently inserted into or retracted from the cannula bore 220 without interference or obstruction from the other.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 29-32 and 37, various views of an inserter assembly 800 carrying first and second inserters 102a, 102b, such as those described above, are illustrated. The inserter assembly 800 can be optionally used with a cannula. The inserter assembly 800 can include a handle 802 and first and second sliders 804a, 804b operable for selectively and separately moving the corresponding inserters 102a, 102b, as described below. The handle 802 can be constructed from first and second handle portions 802a, 802b that are bonded or otherwise attached to one another.

[0082] In one aspect, the inserter assembly 800 can also include a slider control mechanism 806 between the first and second handle portions 802a, 802b. The slider control mechanism 806 can be coupled to the first and second sliders 804a, 805b and is operable to prioritize the separate deployment of the first and second flexible anchors 150a, 150b, which are loaded on the respective first and second inserters 102a, 102b. The slider control mechanism 806 can include a pivotable disc 808 having first and second posts or pins 810a, 810b on a first side and a third post or pin 812 on a second side opposite the first side, as shown in FIGS. 29, 31, and 32. The first and second posts 810a, 810b can move along respective first and second curved tracks 814a, 814b, respectively associated with the first and second sliders 804a, 804b. The third post 812 can move along an associated third curved track or groove 816 defined on an inner surface of the second handle portion 802b.

[0083] In one aspect, by the cooperation of the first and second tracks 804a, 804b, and the disc 808, the slider control mechanism 806 can enable a forward or deployment motion of the first inserter 102a, before enabling a retraction motion of the first inserter 102a and a subsequent forward or deployment motion of the second inserter 102b. The preferential deployment of the first inserter 102a ensures that the first anchor 150a will be deployed before the second anchor 150b, although the first and second flexible anchors 150a, 150b are substantially identical. The second anchor 150b is the anchor associated with the adjustment portion 908 and from which the free second end 904 of the flexible strand 900 exits. As discussed above, each anchor 150a, 150b can be sleeve-like having first and second ends 152, 154 and a longitudinal bore 158 extending between the first and second ends 152, 154. See also FIG. 38.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 33-38, another aspect of coupling the flexible anchors 150a, 150b with a flexible strand 900 is illustrated. The flexible strand 900 can have first and second ends 902, 904 and can be made of materials similar to those discussed above in reference to the flexible strand 301. The flexible strand 900 can be braided in a tubular or hollow form such that it forms an internal passage 901 along the first and second ends 902, 904. A small knot or other retaining device 906 can be optionally formed adjacent the first end 902. It will be appreciated that the knot 906 can be entirely omitted. The flexible strand 900 can be passed through a first opening 160 of each flexible anchor 150a, 150b, guided along the bore 158 and exit through a second opening 162 of each flexible anchor 150a, 150b, as shown in FIG. 34. The openings 160, 162 can be positioned between the first and second ends 152, 154 of each flexible anchor 150a, 150b, at a distance of, for example one-quarter length from the ends 152, 154. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the openings 160, 162 can be voids in the woven fabric of the flexible anchors 150a, 150b, such that the openings 160, 162 do not disrupt or break the weave of flexible anchors 150a, 150b, when the flexible anchors 150a, 150b are made of braided or woven material.

[0085] After the flexible anchors 150a, 150b are mounted on the flexible strand 900, the second end 904 of the flexible strand 900 can be passed into the internal passage 901 of the flexible strand 900 at an aperture 903, guided longitudinally along the passage 901, and guided out of the flexible strand 900 at an aperture 905. The portion of the flexible strand 900 between apertures 901 and 905 can form an adjustment portion 908 between the knot 906 and the opening 162 of the second flexible anchor 150b, such that the flexible strand 900 defines a single adjustable knotless loop 910, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 35A. The second flexible anchor 150b can be slidably moved along the flexible strand 900 until the adjustment position 908 is within the bore 158 of the second flexible anchor 150b and the knot 906 is adjacent the opening 160 second flexible anchor 150b, as shown in FIG. 36. It will be appreciated, however, that the adjustment portion 908 can remain in the position shown in FIG. 35. The adjustable knotless loop 910 is self-locking and does not require the surgeon to tie a knot during the surgical procedure for securing the flexible strand 900. Further, once the adjustable knotless loop 910 is self-locked by pulling the second end 904 of the flexible strand 900 and tensioning the flexible strand 900, friction prevents the adjustable knotless loop 910 from being loosened, thereby providing a secure lock. Additional details regarding forming the knotless adjustable loop 910 and other adjustable knotless loop configurations are disclosed in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,506, filed on Sep. 29, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0086] The first flexible anchor 150a can be loaded on the first inserter 102a, and second flexible anchor 150b can be loaded on the second inserter 102b, as shown in FIG. 37. The first and second anchors 150a, 150b can be loaded externally on their respective inserters in the manner discussed in reference with FIG. 13, above. Specifically, each of the first and second flexible anchors 150a, 150b can be draped over the external groove 120 in the distal portion of the corresponding inserter 102a, 102b. The inserter assembly 800 can be loaded with the first and second flexible anchors 150a, 150b coupled with the flexible strand 900, which forms the closed adjustable knotless loop 910. The adjustable knotless loop 910 allows tightening the strand 900, deforming the first and second flexible anchors 150a, 150b for anchoring and shortening the length of the adjustable knotless loop 910 without using a slipknot. The inserter assembly 800 can be used for repairing soft tissue 80, such as a meniscus tear 90, in a similar manner as discussed with reference to FIG. 14. The first slider 804a can be moved forward to deploy the first flexible anchor 150a at an outer surface 82 of the soft tissue. The first slider 804a can then be moved backward, enabling the second slider 804b to be moved forward to deploy the second flexible anchor 150b at the outer surface 82 of the soft tissue, and adjacent the first flexible anchor 150a. Pulling the second end 904 of the flexible strand 900 tightens the adjustable knotless loop 910, secures the first and second flexible anchors 150a, 150b against the outer surface 82 of the soft tissue 80 and reduces the defect 90. Further, the portions of the sleeve between the first and second ends 152, 154 of each of the flexible anchors 150a, 150b and the corresponding first and second openings 160, 162, define anchoring leg portions that provide additional resistance for securing the flexible anchors 150a, 150b on the outer surface 82 of the soft tissue 80, as these leg portions are forced against the outer surface 82 for anchoring.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 39A-41, another non-deformable or substantially rigid anchor 1000 is illustrated. Similarly to the anchor 600 illustrated in FIG. 20, the anchor 1000 can be made of any biocompatible material, such as, for example, titanium or other non-resorbable or resorbable material, including polymeric materials and Lactosorbe commercially available from Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, Ind., and can be used in a similar manner to repair a soft tissue defect 90. The anchor 1000 can be tubular defining a longitudinal bore 1002 that extends between first and second ends 1004, 1006 of the anchor 600 and has an open, channel-like cross-section defining an arc of 180 degrees or more. The ends 1004, 1006 of the anchor 1000 have blunt rounded edges substantially perpendicular to the anchor 1000, such that the ends 1004, 1006 are not capable and not intended for piercing or penetrating tissue. The anchor 1000 can further define first and second transverse through bores 1010 oriented substantially perpendicularly to the anchor 1000. A flexible strand 900 can be passed through the transverse bores 1010 and couple first and second anchors 1000a, 1000b, as shown in FIG. 40. The strand 900 can be tightened with an adjustable knotless loop 910 by pulling on free end 904 and without the use of slipknot, as discussed above.

[0088] The first and second anchors 1000a, 1000b, coupled with the flexible strand 900, can be mounted on two separate inserters, as described above in connection with anchors 600. An exemplary inserter 1050 loaded with the anchor 1000a is shown in FIG. 41. Two such inserters 1050 can be used with the inserter assembly 800 of FIG. 29, replacing the inserters 102a, 102b. Each inserter 1050 can have a cylindrical body 1052, a pointed tip 1054, and a stop 1056. The first anchor 1000a can be mounted externally onto the body 1052 of the inserter 1050 between the tip 1054 and the stop 1056, such that that a portion of the inserter 1050 is received in the longitudinal bore 1002 of the first anchor 1000a. The second anchor 1000b can be similarly mounted on another inserter 1050. Each anchor 1000a and 1000b can be optionally mounted in a keyed manner onto the corresponding inserter 1050, such that accidental relative rotation is substantially prevented.

[0089] It will be appreciated from the above description and drawings that the present teachings provide anchors of versatile configurations that can be passed through fibrous tissue easily in a compact or low profile configuration and or orientation and then positioned outside the fibrous tissue in a second orientation that provides anchoring without tissue penetration, prevents withdrawal from the tissue and reduces tissue injury. Additionally, the inserter of the present teachings does not require an active expeller or other additional pusher rod to deploy the anchor. Rather, and because the anchor is carried solely on the external surface of the inserter, the anchor is deployed passively outside fibrous tissue upon retraction of the inserter. Further, the use of a disposable or single use inserter provided with a preassembled anchor can help reduce the time length of the procedure and simplify manipulations required during the procedure.

[0090] It will be further understood that the various embodiments of the inserters, anchors and coupling arrangements can be mixed and matched or combined in ways other than those explicitly discussed above, without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

[0091] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.