# US 10,864,073 B2 · Method of making a continuous loop

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- Number: US 10,864,073 B2
- Document ID: US10864073B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/477,573
- Filed: 2017-04-03
- Published: 2017-07-20
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2012-05-22
- Assignees: Riverpoint Medical, LLC
- Applicants: Riverpoint Medical, LLC
- Inventors: Patrick Edward Ferguson; Patrick Joseph Ferguson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864073B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments}
- A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)}
- A61B 17/0483: {Hand-held instruments for holding sutures (A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30)}
- A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)}
- A61B 2017/00349: {Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue (A61B17/06066 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2017/0404: {Buttons}
- A61B 2017/0414: {having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening}
- A61B 2017/0417: {T-fasteners}
- A61B 2017/0459: {Multiple holes in the anchor through which the suture extends and locking the suture when tension is applied}
- A61B 2017/0495: {Reinforcements for suture lines}
- A61B 2017/06185: {hollow or tubular}
- A61F 2002/0817: {Structure of the anchor}
- A61F 2002/0829: {without deformation of anchor parts, e.g. fixation screws on bone surface, extending barbs, cams, butterflies, spring-loaded pins}
- A61F 2002/0852: {Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes}
- A61F 2240/001: Designing or manufacturing processes
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making a continuous loop fixation assembly comprising:
a) providing an open fiber having a first tail and a second tail and having a lumen;
b) inserting said first tail within said lumen of the fiber at a first position and pulling said first tail out of the lumen at a second position, and then retracting said first tail back into said lumen at said second position, to form a loop;
c) inserting said second tail within said lumen of said fiber at said second position and pulling the second tail out of the lumen at said first position, and then retracting said second tail back into said lumen at said first position, thereby creating a closed loop assembly with no free ends; and
d) reinforcing a first length of said loop that includes the first tail within the lumen, so that said first tail is retained in said lumen and a first reinforced section is created.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
a) providing an anchor button having an aperture; and
b) prior to inserting said first tail into said lumen, threading said open fiber through the aperture of said anchor button, so that said anchor button is engaged to said loop and forms a part of said closed loop assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said anchor button has a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein prior to inserting the first tail into said lumen, said open fiber is threaded through both said first aperture and said second aperture, so that said anchor button is engaged to said loop by said first and second aperture and forms a part of said closed loop assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein said anchor button has a third aperture and a fourth aperture, and wherein said open fiber is threaded through neither said third aperture or said fourth aperture, thereby leaving said third and fourth apertures available for securing additional sutures.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first reinforced section of said loop includes said first and second positions, thereby retaining said first and second tails in position in said lumen.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein said first and second tails overlap inside said lumen and further including reinforcing a second length of said loop that includes a portion of the overlap of said first tail and said second tail, thereby creating a second reinforced section and retaining said first tail and said second tail within said lumen.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein said first and second reinforced sections of said loop are stitched.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first tail and said second tail are inserted into said lumen with a lacing tool.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising:
a) inserting said lacing tool into said lumen at a first entry point in said fiber;
b) pushing said lacing tool out at a first exit point in said fiber;
c) coupling said first tail to said lacing tool;
d) pulling said lacing tool to insert said first tail into said lumen of said fiber;
e) inserting said lacing tool into said lumen at a second entry point in said fiber;
f) pushing said lacing tool out at a second exit point in said fiber;
g) coupling said second tail to said lacing tool; and
h) pulling said lacing tool to insert said second tail into said lumen of said fiber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein an end of said first tail coupled to said lacing tool is pulled out of said lumen through said first entry point and an end of said second tail coupled to said lacing tool is pulled out of said lumen through said second entry point, and further comprising retracting said first tail and second tail back into said lumen.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first tail and second tail occupy an entire circumference of said loop's lumen, or substantially so.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said open fiber is ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first tail is cut, prior to being retracted back into said lumen.