Patent ID: 8062333
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suture retainer comprising a retainer body, the retainer body comprising: a wheel portion including a substantially planar first flange and a substantially planar second flange, the first flange and the second flange defining an outer circumference of the wheel portion and the first flange being spaced from the second flange about the outer circumference, thereby forming an outward radially open channel throughout the outer circumference, and at least three suture attachment mechanisms spaced circumferentially about the retainer body between the first flange and the second flange, wherein each of the suture attachment mechanisms is adapted to hold a suture strand at a discrete attachment point, and further wherein the wheel portion includes a first aperture extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to the first flange and the second flange, and the wheel portion includes an alignment aperture extending therethrough spaced from and substantially parallel to the first aperture; a plug portion adapted to cooperate with the aperture in the wheel portion, the plug portion comprising, wherein the alignment peg and the alignment aperture form an alignment mechanism adapted to orient the plug portion with respect to the wheel portion, wherein the alignment mechanism at least substantially prevents rotation of said plug portion with respect to said wheel portion.