APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPAIRING OR REATTACHING SOFT TISSUE

摘要

An apparatus and method for delivering or installing a surgical suture or suture-like implant into soft tissue, for example, for the reattachement or repair of the meniscus of the knee, facilitates placement of the suture or implant, protects the surrounding tissue and nerves from damage during use, and permits suturing throught a single body portal. The apparatus or method may be used in open or arthroscopic surgical procedures to repair tears in the meniscus or other injuries to soft tissue, which require a suture or implant to facilitate reapproximation and healing. An injury to soft tissue, such as a tear in the meniscus or detachement of soft tissue from bone, is repaired through a single body portal by installing a surgical suture across the injury, passing that suture back through the body portal to join the suture, and reapproximating the injury.