Method and apparatus for securing a suture

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for securing a suture to a suture retainer. The suture retainer includes first and second parts. The first part has a longitudinal axis and a recess having a longitudinal axis being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first part. The second part is unattached to the first part and is configured and dimensioned to be received within the recess of the first part. The method further includes inserting a suture into the suture retainer with a portion of the suture positioned within the recess of the first part and the portion of the suture being generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the recess. The suture is tensioned, and the second part of the suture retainer is moved into the recess of the first part to thereby clamp the portion of the suture between the first and second parts of the suture retainer.

1 . A method of securing a suture comprising: 
 providing a suture retainer having first and second parts, the first part having a longitudinal axis and a recess having a longitudinal axis being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first part, the second part unattached to the first part and configured and dimensioned to be received within the recess of the first part;    inserting a suture into the suture retainer with a portion of the suture positioned within the recess of the first part, the portion of the suture being generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the recess;    tensioning the suture; and    moving the second part of the suture retainer into the recess of the first part to thereby clamp the portion of the suture between the first and second parts of the suture retainer.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recess of the first part includes a side wall and the second part includes an outer side wall.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein moving the second part of the suture retainer includes moving the second part into the recess to thereby wedge the suture between the side wall of the recess of the first part and the outer side wall of the second part.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the suture into the suture retainer includes placing the suture within an axial lumen of the suture retainer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein tensioning the suture includes applying a mechanical force to the suture.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying the mechanical force to the suture includes using a force application member to apply the tension.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the suture retainer is made of a bioabsorbable material.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the suture retainer is made of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         9 . A method of securing a suture comprising: 
 providing a suture retainer having first and second parts, the first part having a longitudinal axis and a recess having a longitudinal axis being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first part, the second part unattached to the first part and configured and dimensioned to be received within the recess of the first part;    inserting first and second sections of a suture into the suture retainer with portions of the first and second sections positioned within the recess of the first part, the portions of the first and second sections of the suture being generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the recess;    tensioning the suture; and    moving the second part of the suture retainer into the recess of the first part to thereby clamp the portions of the first and second sections of the suture between the first and second parts of the suture retainer.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the recess of the first part includes a side wall and the second part includes an outer side wall.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein inserting the first and second sections of the suture into the suture retainer includes placing the first and second sections of the suture within an axial passage of the suture retainer.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein tensioning the suture includes tensioning the first and second sections of the suture.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein tensioning the first and second sections of the suture includes using a force application member to apply the tension.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein moving the second part of the suture retainer includes moving the second part into the recess of the first part to thereby wedge the portions of the first and second sections of the suture between the side wall of the recess and the outer side wall of the second part.