Apparatus and method for securing a suture

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The apparatus includes an at least in part tubular member that has a longitudinal passage that is configured to permit at least a portion of the suture to be received within and extend through the tubular member. The tubular member is formed of a deformable material to permit deformation from a first configuration to second configuration. The second configuration is effective to secure the suture relative to the body tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus adapted to secure a suture relative to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
 an at least in part tubular member having an exterior and a longitudinal passage, the longitudinal passage being configured to permit at least a portion of the suture to be received within and extend through the tubular member, and the tubular member being formed of a deformable material effective to permit a substantial deformation of the tubular member from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration being effective to secure the suture relative to the tissue, the tubular member being configured to deform from the first configuration to the second configuration when tension is applied to the suture with the at least a portion of the suture positioned with the longitudinal passage of the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member includes at least one notch in the tubular member to expose a portion of the suture positioned within the longitudinal passage to the exterior of the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular member includes two notches in the tubular member, the suture extending through the tubular member and having portions exposed to the exterior of the tubular member in at least two separate locations along the tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable material includes a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable material is biodegradable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the biodegradable material is at least one of a biodegradable polymer and a bioerodible copolymer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable material has a low coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is configured to be bendable proximate a mid-point of the tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is configured to form a plurality of bendable portions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is configured to be foldable to an overall length in the second configuration that is less than an overall length in the first configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is configured to be bendable into a U-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member has a length and the suture has a length that is substantially greater than the length of the tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the suture is slideably received within the longitudinal passage. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is configured to deform by compression from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         15 . A method for securing a suture in tissue of a subject, the method comprising:
 utilizing an at least in part tubular member having an exterior and a hollow interior including a longitudinal passage, the longitudinal passage having at least a portion of the suture received therein such that the suture extends at least in part through the central longitudinal passage, the longitudinal passage being configured to permit the suture to slide therein relative to the tubular member, the tubular member being formed of a deformable material, the tubular member containing therein a portion of the suture that extends at least partially through the tubular member;   applying tension to the suture; and   deforming the tubular member from a first configuration to a compressed configuration, the tubular member in the compressed configuration being effective to secure the suture relative to the tissue of the subject.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the tubular member has at least one notch in the tubular member such that the portion of the suture is exposed through the at least one notch, the exposed portion of the suture being visible through the exterior of the tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the tubular member has two notches in the tubular member such that the portion of the suture is exposed through the notches in at least two separate locations along the tubular member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deformable material of the tubular member includes a polymeric material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the deformable material is biodegradable. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the biodegradable material is at least one of a biodegradable polymer and a bioerodible copolymer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising sliding the suture within the longitudinal passage of the tubular member.