Patent ID: 9451953
Filing Date: 2016-09-27
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A surgical method, comprising: advancing a leading end of a suture through a cannula from a proximal end of the cannula that is located outside of a body to a distal end of the cannula disposed inside the body, proximate to a surgical site; advancing the leading end of the suture into a first tissue disposed inside the body; advancing the leading end of the suture into a second tissue disposed inside the body; advancing the leading end of the suture through the cannula from the distal end to the proximal end after advancing the leading end through the first and second tissue; advancing the leading end of the suture into and subsequently out of a hollow portion of the suture that is disposed outside of the body so as to form a loop such that a portion of the suture is coaxially disposed in the hollow portion, the portion of the suture disposed in the hollow portion being slidably movable relative to the hollow portion such that the portion of the suture disposed in the hollow portion is changeable; and pulling the leading end of the suture relative to the first tissue and the second tissue so as to advance the hollow portion through the cannula from the proximal end to the distal end so that the hollow portion is disposed inside the body, and to advance a plurality of unidirectional barbs formed on the suture through the first tissue, through the second tissue, and into the hollow portion, the plurality of unidirectional barbs grasping the suture within the hollow portion so as to lock the suture in position relative to the first and second tissues.