CONMED Corporation
Method and apparatus for securing an object to bone, including the provision and use of a novel suture assembly for securing an object to bone

Abstract:

A suture assembly including a first suture having a generally O-shaped configuration having a first arm, a second arm, a first bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, and a second bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm. The first bridge opposes the second bridge so that the first suture includes a closed loop. A second suture having a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm. The first arm of the second suture is wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture is wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction. The suture assembly is capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration.