Methods and Devices for Threading Sutures

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one embodiment, an elongate weave of fibers can be provided having a first portion with a first pick count and a second portion with a second pick count that is greater than the first pick count. The first portion can have a cross-section that deforms in response to a force that is applied thereto. The first portion can have a collapsible diameter and can have a bending stiffness that is lower than a bending stiffness of the second portion of the suture. The first portion can also have a first pattern that is different than a second pattern on the second portion of the suture. The first portion can be threaded into a suture anchor such that it can be doubled over upon itself. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suture, comprising:
 a biocompatible elongate weave of fibers having a first length with a first pick count and a second length with a second pick count that is greater than the first pick count, wherein the first length defines a first pattern and the second length defines a second pattern that differs from the first pattern, and wherein a cross-section of the first length is configured to deform when a force is applied thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the first length has a resting outer diameter that is greater than or equal to an outer diameter of the second length, and the first length is configured to collapse in diameter when a force is applied thereto. 
     
     
         3 . The suture of  claim 2 , wherein the collapsed outer diameter of the first length is less than the outer diameter of the second length. 
     
     
         4 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the second length has a bending stiffness that is greater than a bending stiffness of the first length. 
     
     
         5 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate weave includes a hollow lumen extending at least partially therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second patterns each comprise an uninterrupted series of repeating units. 
     
     
         7 . The suture of  claim 6 , wherein the repeating unit on the first pattern has a length that is greater than a length of the repeating unit on the second pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the weave of fibers includes at least one strand having a first color and at least one additional strand having a second color. 
     
     
         9 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the first length comprises a terminal end portion of the suture. 
     
     
         10 . The suture of  claim 1 , wherein the pick count of the second length is about  60  picks per inch. 
     
     
         11 . A method for threading a suture into a suture anchor, comprising threading a first portion of a suture into a cannulated anchor such that the first portion of the suture is doubled over upon itself, and such that a second portion of the suture extends from the cannulated anchor, the first portion of the suture having a pick count that is less than a pick count of the second portion of the suture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the suture defines a first pattern extending therealong, and the second portion of the suture defines a second pattern extending therealong that differs from the first pattern such that first pattern indicates a portion of the suture to be threaded into the cannulated anchor as a double strand. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising pulling the first portion of the suture into the cannulated anchor with a threader tab. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the suture has a resting outer cross-section, the method further comprising pulling the first portion of the suture through the cannulated anchor such that the cross-section of the first portion of the suture deforms. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the suture is wrapped around a suture-receiving member extending across an inner lumen of the suture anchor such that the suture is coupled to the suture anchor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion comprises first and second legs of the suture, and where the suture includes a mid-portion between the first and second legs. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising implanting the suture anchor in bone and securing terminal ends of the suture such that tissue attached to the suture is securely anchored to the bone.