Method and apparatus for closing a fissure in the annulus of an intervertebral disc, and/or for effecting other anatomical repairs and/or fixations

A method for connecting a first object to a second object, said method comprising:

• providing apparatus comprising:
• a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body;
• a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, and a fourth vertical bore spaced distally from said third vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore;
• and
• a suture having a proximal end and a distal end, with an enlargement formed at said distal end, wherein said suture extends through said vertical bore of said distal anchor, through said fourth vertical bore of said proximal anchor, through said third vertical bore of said proximal anchor, through said second vertical bore of said proximal anchor and through said first vertical bore of said proximal anchor;
• advancing said distal anchor into the first object, with said suture and said enlargement advancing with said distal anchor;
• while holding said suture and said enlargement in place, further advancing said distal anchor so that said inclined distal end surface of said distal anchor engages said enlargement and causes said distal anchor to turn relative to the first object;
• advancing said proximal anchor into the second object;
• pulling proximally on the portion of said suture extending between said second vertical bore of said proximal anchor and said third vertical bore of said proximal anchor so as to cause said proximal anchor to turn relative to the second object;
• passing said proximal end of said suture between (i) the portion of said suture extending between said second vertical bore of said proximal anchor and said third vertical bore of said proximal anchor and (ii) said proximal anchor, so as to form a half hitch in said suture;
• and
• pulling proximally on said proximal end of said suture so as to set said half hitch.