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 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A base for securing an elongated member being malleable and having a groove formed therein and a post extending from said groove, said post being malleable and sized to fit in said groove, said post further being bendable to a bent position in said groove, and said base being foldable along said groove to enclose said tongue in said bent position in said groove. 
     
     
         7 . A retainer for securing an elongated member, comprising:
 an elongated member; and   a malleable base having a groove formed therein, said groove being spanned by said elongated member, a post extending from said groove and bent to fit in said groove, said post and said base sandwiching said elongated member therebetween, said base being folded along said groove to enclose said tongue in said groove.   
     
     
         8 . The retainer according to  claim 7 , wherein said elongated member is a suture. 
     
     
         9 . A retainer for retaining an elongated member, comprising a deformable cylindrical body having a helical channel formed therein for receiving the elongated member. 
     
     
         10 . A retainer for securing tissue, comprising:
 a suture securing tissue;   a deformable cylindrical body having a helical channel formed therein holding said suture in a tensed state, said deformable cylindrical body abutting said tissue.   
     
     
         11 . The retainer according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said tissue defines a plane; and   said cylindrical body has an axel and said axel is orthogonal to the plane of the tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The retainer according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said tissue defines a plane; and   said cylindrical body has an axel and said axel is parallel to the plane of the tissue.   
     
     
         13 . The retainer according to  claim 12 , further comprising a deformable cylindrical housing enclosing said cylindrical body, said deformable cylindrical housing being compressible to conform with said cylindrical body. 
     
     
         14 . A retainer for securing an elongated body having an axis, comprising:
 a first cylinder having an axis transverse to the axis of the elongated body and a circumference;   a second cylinder having an axis transverse to the axis of the elongated body and a circumference;   said first cylinder and said second cylinder being configured so the elongated member contacts more than half of each circumference when threaded on said cylinders.   
     
     
         15 . The retainer of  claim 14  further comprising a housing holding said first cylinder and said second cylinder in position relative to each other. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A retainer for holding an elongated member, comprising:
 a base having a bottom and a lateral wall and a channel formed in said base connecting said bottom to said lateral wall, said channel being sized to all the elongated member to be threaded therethrough, said lateral wall having a recess formed therein;   a sleeve fitting over said base and outlet formed therein, and an annular rib engaging said recess, said outlet being large enough for said elongated member to be threaded therethrough;   said base and said sleeve holding the elongated member therebetween.   
     
     
         22 . The retainer according to  claim 21 , wherein said sleeve has a flange connected to said bottom. 
     
     
         23 . The retainer according to  claim 21 , wherein said base and said sleeve are cylindrical. 
     
     
         24 . The retainer according to  claim 21 , wherein said base has a further channel formed therein connecting said bottom to said lateral wall. 
     
     
         25 . A retainer for holding an elongated member, comprising:
 a conical body having a wall and a base, a channel being formed in said conical body connecting said wall to said base;   a sleeve having a sleeve complementing said conical body and shaped to receive said conical body said sleeve having a hole formed therein for receiving the elongated member;   said conical body and said sleeve being configured to hold the elongated member therebetween when said conical body is inserted in said sleeve.   
     
     
         26 . The retainer according to  claim 25 , wherein:
 said conical body is frustoconical shaped with a further base, and said wall is said further base; and   said channel has an opening along said wall.   
     
     
         27 . The retainer according to  claim 25 , wherein said channel is a helical channel along said wall. 
     
     
         28 . A retainer for retaining an elongated member attached to a surface, comprising a deformable tube having a hole formed therein for receiving an elongated member; and
 a flange for abutting the surface connected to said tube.   
     
     
         29 - 39 . (canceled)