Method and apparatus for securing an object to bone, including the provision and use of a novel suture assembly for securing an object to bone

摘要

A suture assembly comprising:
a first suture having a generally O-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm, a first bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, and a second bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, the first bridge opposing the second bridge so that the first suture comprises a closed loop;a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm;the first arm of the second suture being wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction;the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration.

主权项

1. An assembly comprising:
a first suture having a generally O-shaped configuration having a first side and a second side, the first suture comprising a first arm, a second arm, a first bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, and a second bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, the first bridge opposing the second bridge so that the first suture comprises a closed loop; a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; the bridge of the second suture being positioned on the first side of the first suture and extending from the first arm of the first suture to the second arm of the first suture, the first arm of the second suture being wrapped over the first arm of the first suture and then helically around the first arm of the first suture from the bridge of the second suture towards the first bridge of the first suture in a first helical direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped over the second arm of the first suture and then helically around the second arm of the first suture from the bridge of the second suture towards the first bridge of the first suture in a second, opposite helical direction; the assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration.