Method and apparatus for securing a suture

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus is provided to secure a suture relative to body tissue. When a predetermined minimum force is being transmitted between a suture retainer and the body tissue, the suture is gripped with the suture retainer by plastically deforming material of the suture retainer. One or more bends may be formed in suture by the suture retainer to increase the holding action between the suture retainer and the suture. The bends in the suture may be formed by wrapping the suture around a portion of the suture retainer. During movement of the suture retainer toward the body tissue, the bends may be moved along the suture. One or more bends may be formed in the suture by bending a tubular member through which the suture extends. The tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by a C-shaped holder member. Alternatively, the tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by members which are latched together.

1 . A method of securing a suture relative to body tissue comprising: 
 engaging a portion of the suture with a first member;    deforming the first member while the portion of the suture is engaged by the first member, wherein deforming the first member includes changing the configuration of the first member from a first configuration to a second configuration;    inserting the first member into a second member while the first member has the second configuration; and    retaining the first member in the second configuration.    
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising sliding the first member along the suture toward the body tissue while the suture is disposed in engagement with the first member.  
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein retaining the first member in the second configuration includes applying force against the first member with the second member while the first member is disposed in the second member.  
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein retaining the first member in the second configuration includes at least partially enclosing the first member with the second member.  
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein inserting the first member into second member includes moving opposite end portions of the first member into the second member.  
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 5  wherein moving opposite end portions of the first member into the second member includes sliding the first member along the suture.  
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein deforming the first member includes applying a force to opposite end portions of the first member.  
     
     
         8 . A method as set forth in  claim 7  wherein applying a force to opposite end portions of the first member includes moving the opposite end portions of the first member toward each other to change the configuration of the first member from the first configuration to the second configuration.  
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein deforming the first member includes plastically deforming the first member.  
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein plastically deforming the first member is performed with the first member at a temperature below a transition temperature of material forming the first member.  
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein plastically deforming the first member includes applying heat to the first member, wherein plastically deforming the first member is performed with the first member at a temperature below a transition temperature of material forming the first member.  
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first member has first and second end portions, and deforming the first member to change the configuration of the first member from the first configuration to the second configuration includes moving the first and second end portions of the first member toward each other by deforming a portion of the first member disposed between the first and second end portions of the first member.  
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further including plastically deforming material of at least one of the first and second members while the first member is in the second configuration and inserted in the second member.  
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein plastically deforming material of at least one of the first and second members includes applying a force to at least one of the first and second members.  
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein plastically deforming material of at least one of the first and second members is performed at a temperature below a transition temperature of material forming at least one of the first and second members.  
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein plastically deforming at least one of the first and second members includes applying heat to at least one of the first and second members, wherein plastically deforming at least one of the first and second members is performed at a temperature below a transition temperature of material forming at least one of the first and second members.  
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further including tensioning the suture and transmitting a predetermined force from the first member to the body tissue prior to performing said step of deforming the first member.  
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first member is a tubular member having a passage which extends between opposite end portions of the tubular member, and deforming the first member includes gripping the suture with the tubular member by bending the tubular member at a location disposed between the opposite end portions of the tubular member.  
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein bending the tubular member includes decreasing a distance between the opposite end portions of the tubular member.  
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein inserting the first member into a second member while the first member has the second configuration includes inserting the first member into a recess of the second member.  
     
     
         21 . A method of securing a suture relative to body tissue, comprising: 
 engaging a portion of the suture with a first member;    deforming the first member while the portion of the suture is engaged by the first member, including changing the configuration of the first member from a first configuration to a second configuration;    inserting the first member into a recess in a second member while the first member has the second configuration; and    retaining the first member in the second configuration by applying force against the first member with at least the second member while the first member is disposed in the recess in the second member.    
     
     
         22 . A method of securing a suture relative to body tissue, comprising: 
 engaging a portion of the suture with a first member;    deforming the first member while the portion of the suture is engaged by the first member, including changing the configuration of the first member from a first configuration to a second configuration;    inserting the first member into a recess in a second member while the first member has the second configuration;    retaining the first member in the second configuration by applying force against the first member with at least the second member while the first member is disposed in the recess in the second member; and    plastically deforming material of at least one of the first and second members while the first member is in the second configuration and inserted in the second member, wherein plastically deforming material of at least one of the first and second members is performed at a temperature below a transition temperature of material forming at least one of the first and second members