Tensionable Knotless Anchors and Methods of Tissue Repair

Abstract

Tensionable, knotless, self-locking surgical constructs and methods for surgical repairs are disclosed. A tensionable, knotless, self-locking surgical construct includes a flexible coupler (repair suture) and a plurality of shuttle/pull devices loaded onto a fixation device. The fixation device can be a knotless fixation device such as a knotless soft anchor, for example, an all-suture knotless anchor. The knotless surgical construct provides multiple passes of the flexible coupler itself (repair suture itself), to achieve the desired friction and to also create a reverse purchase resistance to loosening. The flexible coupler (repair suture) is passed around tissue two or more times (and subsequently through the cannulation of the anchor sheath two or more times) creating a stuffed friction effect. There is no cinching loop in the final repair.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.