Method for coupling soft tissue to a bone

Abstract

A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A suture anchor assembly, comprising:
 a first flexible tube anchor;   a first suture tail including a first tail end and a second tail end, the first suture tail extending through the first flexible tube anchor to couple the first flexible tube anchor to the first suture tail with the first tail end and the second tail end remaining outside the first flexible tube anchor;   a first self-locking suture construct coupled to the first tail end of the first suture tail, the first self-locking suture construct comprised of a first suture with a first free end that extends longitudinally through a first longitudinal passage in the first suture to form a first adjustable loop of the first self-locking suture construct;   a second suture tail including a third tail end and a fourth tail end, the second suture tail extending through the first flexible tube anchor to couple the first flexible tube anchor to the second suture tail with the third tail end and the fourth tail end remaining outside the first flexible tube anchor; and   a second self-locking suture construct coupled to the third tail end of the second suture tail, the second self-locking suture construct comprised of a second suture with a first free end that extends longitudinally through a first longitudinal passage in the second suture to form a first adjustable loop of the second self-locking suture construct.   
     
     
         14 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first flexible tube anchor is formed with a braided suture material. 
     
     
         15 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first suture tail and the second suture tail extends longitudinally through a longitudinal bore in the first flexible tube anchor. 
     
     
         16 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first tail end of the first suture tail is connected to the first adjustable loop of the first self-locking suture construct. 
     
     
         17 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a first segment of suture along the first adjustable loop extends through the first tail end of the first suture tail. 
     
     
         18 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first segment of suture extends longitudinally through a longitudinal portion of the first tail end of the first suture tail. 
     
     
         19 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first self-locking suture construct also includes a second loop therein. 
     
     
         20 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the second loop is formed by passing the first suture through itself. 
     
     
         21 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a second flexible tube anchor coupled to the first suture tail. 
     
     
         22 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first suture tail and the second suture tail is comprised of two separate suture segments that are connected together via a knotless connection. 
     
     
         23 . A suture assembly, comprising:
 a first suture including a first end portion, the first end portion extending back along itself and into the first suture through a first sidewall opening in the first suture to form a first loop in the first suture, wherein, the first end portion, after extending into the first suture through the first sidewall opening, extends longitudinally within the first suture along a first longitudinal passage in the first suture; and   a second suture including an open end, a second sidewall opening spaced a distance from the open end, and a second longitudinal passage in the second suture positioned between the open end and the second sidewall opening,   wherein the first suture and the second suture are connected together with a knotless connection that includes: (i) the first end portion of the first suture extending into the second suture through the open end of the second suture such that the first longitudinal passage in the first suture extends longitudinally within the second suture along the second longitudinal passage in the second suture; (ii) the first loop in the first suture projecting from the second sidewall opening in the second suture to position the first loop outside the second suture; and (iii) a portion of the second suture adjacent the second sidewall opening in the second suture extending through the first loop in the first suture.   
     
     
         24 . The suture assembly of  claim 23 , wherein, the first end portion, after extending into the first suture through the first sidewall opening and then longitudinally within the first suture along the first longitudinal passage, exits the first longitudinal passage through a third sidewall opening in the first suture. 
     
     
         25 . The suture assembly of  claim 23  further comprising a first self-locking suture construct coupled to a second end portion of the first suture, the first self-locking suture construct comprised of a third suture with a first free end that extends longitudinally through a first longitudinal passage in the third suture to form a first adjustable loop of the first self-locking suture construct. 
     
     
         26 . The suture assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the second end portion of the first suture is connected to the first adjustable loop of the first self-locking suture construct. 
     
     
         27 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein a first segment of suture along the first adjustable loop extends through the second end portion of the first suture. 
     
     
         28 . The suture anchor assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the first segment of suture extends longitudinally through a longitudinal portion of the second end portion of the first suture. 
     
     
         29 . The suture assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the first self-locking suture construct also includes a second loop therein. 
     
     
         30 . The suture assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the second loop is formed by passing the third suture through itself. 
     
     
         31 . The suture assembly of  claim 23  in combination with a first flexible tube anchor, wherein at least part of the knotless connection is received within the first flexible tube anchor. 
     
     
         32 . The suture assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first flexible tube anchor is formed with a braided suture material.