# US 2014/0155938 A1 · Suture Assembly With Suture Load Distribution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155938 A1 - Document ID: US20140155938A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/176,804 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-24 - Assignees: Biomet C.V. - Applicants: Biomet C.V. - Inventors: David ANDERSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155938A1 ## 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)} - B60C 9/0042: {Reinforcements made of synthetic materials} - D01D 10/02: Heat treatment (heating for finishing D02J13/00) - D01F 6/62: from polyesters - A61B 2017/0403: {Dowels} - A61B 2017/0406: {Pledgets} - A61B 2017/0417: {T-fasteners} - A61B 2017/0495: {Reinforcements for suture lines} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - D01D: MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS - D01F: CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS ## Abstract A method for securing a flexible member may include forming a bore in a bone; inserting an anchor into the bore, the anchor including a passage and being coupled to a flexible member; slideably positioning a first load distributing member along the flexible member; inserting the first load distributing member into the bore such that the flexible member engages the first load distributing member; and applying tension to a portion of the flexible member to secure the anchor and load distributing member within the bone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for securing a flexible member, comprising: forming a bore in a bone; inserting an anchor into the bore, the anchor including a passage and being coupled to a flexible member; slideably positioning a first load distributing member along the flexible member; inserting the first load distributing member into the bore such that the flexible member engages the first load distributing member; and applying tension to a portion of the flexible member to secure the anchor and load distributing member within the bone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the load distributing member is automatically inserted into the bore when tension is applied to the portion of the flexible member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising automatically delivering the load distributing member into the bore using a retaining element located adjacent to the load distributing member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a second load distributing member on a surface of the bone and distributing the force of the flexible member on the bone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising protecting an edge of the bore from the suture, wherein the first load distributing member protrudes from the bone and the flexible member engages the first load distributing member to protect the edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a soft tissue portion to a bone portion using at least one anchor, at least one load distributing member, and the flexible member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising pushing the load distributing member into the bore to snugly engage the load distributing member within the bore. ### Claim 8 A method for securing a flexible member, comprising: forming a first bore in a first portion of bone; forming a second bore in a second portion of bone; inserting a first anchor into the first bore and a second anchor into the second bore; positioning a first load distributing element relative to the first bore; positioning a second load distributing element relative to the second bore, wherein the first and second load distributing elements are slideably engaged to a flexible member; and applying tension to a portion of the flexible member to secure the first and second load distributing elements and first and second anchors within the first and second bores, respectively. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising inserting the first and second load distributing elements into the first and second bores, respectively, wherein the first and second load distributing elements fit snugly within the first and second bores. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising placing a third load distributing member on a surface of at least one of the first and second portions of bone and dispersing the force of the flexible member on the bone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising attaching a soft tissue portion to a bone portion using at least one anchor, at least one load distributing member, and the flexible member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein inserting the first anchor into the first bore and the second anchor into the second bore include deforming the first anchor and the second anchor from a first position to a second position. ### Claim 13 A suture assembly comprising: a flexible member; an anchor defining a passage and being slideably coupled to the flexible member; a first load distributing member disposed along the flexible member; and a retaining element positioned on the flexible member adjacent to the first load distributing member, wherein the retaining element adjusts the position of the first load distributing member on the flexible member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second load distributing member positioned on the flexible member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, wherein the first load distributing member defines an elongated bore that extends along a longitudinal axis of the first load distributing member, sized to receive multiple lengths of flexible members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The suture assembly of claim 15, wherein the first load distributing member has an outer sidewall sized to fit snugly within a bore in a bone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The suture assembly of claim 16, wherein the first load distributing member extends along the longitudinal axis a length sized to protrude from a bore in a bone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, wherein the first load distributing member is formed from a substantially rigid material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, wherein the anchor includes a first and second anchor and the first load distributing member includes a first, second, and third load distributing member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible member is a suture that extends from a first end to a second end, the first end passing through the load distributing member a plurality of times such that an adjustable loop including the anchor is formed on a first side of the load distributing member and the first and second ends are positioned on a second side of the load distributing member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, wherein the retaining element is a knot. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The suture assembly of claim 13, further comprising a bore extending along a longitudinal length of the load distributing member, wherein an edge of the bore is chamfered.