Patent ID: 8562647
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising: forming a bore in the bone; carrying a flexible anchor into the bore, the flexible anchor including a passage and being coupled to a suture construct, the suture construct including a suture having first and second free ends, a body defining a passage portion and at least one self-locking adjustable loop, at least one of the first or second free ends passing through the passage portion of the body to form the self-locking adjustable loop, the flexible anchor coupled to the suture construct by the first or second free end of the suture construct extending through an intermediate portion of the passage spaced apart from respective ends of the flexible anchor such that the flexible anchor is coupled to the at least one self-locking adjustable loop and is slidable relative thereto, where portions of the flexible anchor between the intermediate portion and each end define anchoring leg portions free of the suture, the flexible anchor including a first profile while being carried into the bore; changing a shape of the flexible anchor from the first profile to a second profile forming an anchoring mass to retain the flexible anchor in the bore; and applying tension to a portion of the suture construct to reduce a size of the self-locking adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue relative to the flexible anchor and the bone and maintain the reduced size of the self-locking adjustable loop in an absence of a knot.