Patent ID: 9179905
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between said distal end and said proximal end, said lumen comprising a first section and a second section, said first section of said lumen being disposed distal to said second section of said lumen, with said first section of said lumen having a wider diameter than said second section of said lumen; an enlargement slidably disposed at least in part in said first section of said lumen, said enlargement having a diameter greater than said second section of said lumen; a single closed loop of a first suture slidably disposed in said lumen of said elongated body, said single closed loop of said first suture having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said single closed loop of said first suture being connected to said enlargement and said proximal end of said single closed loop of said first suture extending through said second section of said lumen and protruding out said proximal end of said elongated body, said single closed loop of said first suture and said elongated body together defining an eyelet proximal to said elongated body, said eyelet being of variable size as said single closed loop of said first suture moves along said lumen of said elongated body, said first suture having a first diameter; and an open loop of a second suture extending through said eyelet defined by said single closed loop of said first suture and said elongated body, said open loop of said second suture extending through said single closed loop of said first suture external to said elongated body, said second suture having a second diameter larger than said first diameter; wherein said enlargement comprises an expander having a distal end, a proximal end and a passageway extending therebetween, wherein said single closed loop of said first suture is connected to said enlargement by passing said single closed loop of said first suture through said passageway of said expander and forming a knot in said single closed loop of said first suture distal to said expander, and further wherein said expander is initially completely disposed in said first section of said lumen; said elongated body, said enlargement, said single closed loop of said first suture and said open loop of said second suture being constructed such that proximal movement of said open loop of said second suture causes proximal movement of said single closed loop of said first suture, which causes proximal movement of said enlargement into said second section of said lumen, whereby to laterally expand said elongated body.