Soft Tissue Fixation Using A Looped Suture Construct

A method of suturing soft tissue comprising:

• passing a first free end of suture through soft tissue, the first free end exiting the tissue through a first tissue surface;
• passing the first free end of suture back through the soft tissue to form a loop of suture on the first tissue surface, the first free end exiting the tissue through a second tissue surface;
• passing a second free end of the suture through the soft tissue adjacent the loop of suture, the second free end exiting the tissue through the first tissue surface, wherein the suture is slidably connected to a suture attaching mechanism of an anchoring structure such that the attaching mechanism is between the loop of suture and the second free end;
• passing the second free end of the suture through the loop of suture;
• applying tension to the first and second free ends of the suture such that the soft tissue is pulled into contact with a desired structure and the loop of suture remains open and positioned on the first tissue surface;
• and
• securing the first and second free ends of the suture to maintain the applied tension.

A method of forming a suture anchor comprising:

• forming a body configured to be implanted into bone;
• connecting to or integrating with the body a suture attaching mechanism configured to provide a slidable connection to suture attached thereto;
• looping a suture on itself to create a looped end of the suture and at least one free end of the suture;
• and
• connecting the suture to the attaching mechanism such that the attaching mechanism is between the looped end and the at least one free end.

A suture anchor comprising:

• a body configured to be implanted into bone;
• a suture having a looped end and at least one free end;
• and
• a suture attaching mechanism connected to or integrally formed with the body and configured to provide a slidable connection to suture connected thereto, the suture attaching mechanism connected to the suture between the looped end and the at least one free end.

A looped suture construct comprising:

• a suture having a looped end and at least one free end;
• and
• a suture anchor slidably connected to the suture such that the suture anchor is between the looped end and the at least one free end;
• wherein:
• the looped end is open and positioned on a surface of a soft tissue;
• the at least one end is passed through the soft tissue and the looped end and is tensioned such that the looped end remains open and positioned on the soft tissue surface;
• and
• the at least one free end is secured to maintain the tension.