Method and apparatus for anchoring a suture
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of securing body tissue, said method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of anchors with a suture extending between the anchors, moving the plurality of anchors into body tissue with the suture extending between the anchors, and transmitting force between the plurality of anchors through the suture after the plurality of anchors have been moved into the body tissue, said step of transmitting force between the plurality of anchors through the suture includes tensioning a portion of the suture extending between the plurality of anchors.
7 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A tubular anchor may have a polygonal cross-sectional configuration with flat outer side surfaces areas connected by a plurality of outer corner portions. A passage through the anchor may be formed by flat inner side surfaces interconnected by inner corner portions. A suture is inserted through the passage. A concentrated force may be applied against a limited area on a trailing end of the anchor to rotate the anchor to move an outer corner portion of the anchor into engagement with body tissue. The suture may engage an inner corner portion of the anchor. The suture may be inserted through a plurality of anchors and the anchors moved through a tubular member into the body tissue under the influence of force transmitted from a trailing anchor to a leading anchor. When the leading anchor is moved into the body tissue, it is rotated under the influence of force applied against a trailing end of the leading anchor. If desired, two anchors may be interconnected. A groove may advantageously be provided among the leading end and side of an anchor to receive the suture.
464 Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A method of securing body tissue, said method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of anchors with a suture extending between the anchors, moving the plurality of anchors into body tissue with the suture extending between the anchors, and transmitting force between the plurality of anchors through the suture after the plurality of anchors have been moved into the body tissue, said step of transmitting force between the plurality of anchors through the suture includes tensioning a portion of the suture extending between the plurality of anchors.
- 8. A method of securing body tissue, said method comprises the steps of moving an anchor into body tissue with a suture extending through a passage in the anchor, tensioning the suture while the anchor is disposed in the body tissue, and deforming the anchor under the influence of force transmitted through the suture while tensioning the suture.
Specification