# US 2013/0158598 A1 · Systems and methods for repairing tissue > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158598 A1 - Document ID: US20130158598A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/331,322 - Filed: 2011-12-20 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: DePuy Mitek, LLC - Inventors: Jose E. Lizardi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158598A1 ## CPC - 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 2017/0403: {Dowels} - A61B 2017/0404: {Buttons} - A61B 2017/0406: {Pledgets} - A61B 2017/0409: {Instruments for applying suture anchors} - A61B 2017/0412: {having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body} - A61B 2017/0417: {T-fasteners} - A61B 2017/0419: {H-fasteners} - A61B 2017/0445: {cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument} - A61B 2017/0448: {Additional elements on or within the anchor} - A61B 2017/0458: {Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot} - A61B 2017/0461: {with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture} - A61B 2017/0475: {using sutures having a slip knot} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Devices and methods for anchoring tissue to bone are provided herein. In various embodiments, the tissue anchor systems and methods can provide a length of suture having terminal ends coupled to one another via a sliding knot so as to define a suture loop having an adjustable length. After passing a portion of the suture loop through a damaged tissue and coupling the suture loop to bone, the sliding knot can be advanced to shorten the suture loop in order to secure the tissue to bone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for anchoring tissue to bone, comprising: utilizing a length of suture having terminal ends attached to one another by a sliding knot, the length of suture defining a loop having a first engagement member slidably disposed thereon at a location remote from the sliding knot; advancing the first engagement member and a first portion of the loop through tissue at a first location within a patient's body; withdrawing the first engagement member to a position outside of the patient's body with the first portion of the loop extending through the tissue; coupling the first engagement member to a bone anchor; implanting the bone anchor, with the first engagement member coupled thereto, in bone; and advancing the sliding knot along the suture and toward the tissue to anchor the tissue to bone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sliding knot and the first engagement member are disposed on opposed sides of the tissue. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sliding knot and bone anchor are disposed on opposed sides of the tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the loop has a second engagement member slidably disposed thereon at a location between the first engagement member and the sliding knot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: advancing the second engagement member and a second portion of the loop through the tissue at a second location within a patient's body adjacent to the first location; withdrawing the second engagement member to a position outside of the patient's body with the second portion of the loop extending through the tissue; and coupling the second engagement member to the bone anchor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein a portion of the loop between the first and second engagement members is disposed on an opposed side of the tissue from the first and second engagement members after advancing the first and second engagement members through the tissue. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising, prior to advancing the first and second engagement members through tissue, inserting each of the first and second engagement members into a needle, and wherein advancing the first and second engagement members through tissue comprises inserting each needle through the tissue at a desired location within the tissue. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the first and second engagement members to the bone anchor comprises threading a portion of suture extending from the first and second engagement members through the bone anchor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein coupling the first and second engagement members to the bone anchor comprises threading the first and second engagement members through a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the bone anchor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the bone anchor is implanted with the first and second engagement members disposed therein. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the bone anchor is implanted with the first and second engagement members disposed adjacent to the distal end of the bone anchor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising coupling the second engagement member to the bone anchor after withdrawing the first engagement member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second engagement member is not advanced through the tissue prior to being coupled to the bone anchor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, after advancing, cutting the terminal ends of the suture extending from the sliding knot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising tensioning the suture. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising drilling a bone hole configured to receive the bone anchor therein. ### Claim 17 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second engagement members comprise opposed first and second surfaces and two bores extending therebetween. ### Claim 18 A method for anchoring tissue to bone, comprising: utilizing a suture loop having terminal ends attached to one another by a sliding knot; advancing a first segment of the loop through tissue at a first location within a patient's body; withdrawing a portion of the first segment of the loop to a position outside of the patient's body with the first segment of the loop extending through the tissue; coupling the first segment of the loop to a bone anchor; coupling a second segment of the loop to the bone anchor; implanting the bone anchor, with the first and second segments coupled thereto, in bone; and advancing the sliding knot toward the tissue to shorten the suture loop. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein coupling the first and second segments to the bone anchor comprises threading the first and second segments through the bone anchor.