Method of securing body tissue

Abstract

To secure a first body tissue with a second body tissue, a first anchor is moved along a first path through the first body tissue into the second body tissue. A second anchor is moved along a second path through the first body tissue into the second body tissue. A suture extending between the anchors may be tightened by moving the second anchor along a path which extends transverse to the path of the first anchor. The suture which extends between the anchors may have free ends which are connected with a suture retainer. The free ends of the suture may be interconnected either before or after the anchors are moved along the first and second paths. Alternatively, the suture may be a continuous loop which extends between the two anchors. A guide assembly may be provided to guide movement of the anchors along the two paths. The paths along which the anchors move may intersect so that the anchors may be interconnected at the intersection between the two paths.

1 . A method of securing an object to a first body tissue, the method comprising:
 inserting only a portion of an anchor through both the object and the first body tissue; and   fixing the anchor to the object to thereby secure the object to the first body tissue,   
       wherein the anchor includes a head at a proximal end and a shank extending therefrom and the portion of the anchor inserted through both the object and the first body tissue is the shank. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shank is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of fixing includes heating the anchor by transmitting ultrasonic vibratory energy to the anchor such that the material becomes moldable and flows when subjected to pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the object is a second body tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the object is a surgical implant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the surgical implant is connected to the shank immediately adjacent the head. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein a lower surface of the head abuts the surgical implant. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shank is provided with a plurality of hooks at axially spaced apart locations to engage the object.