Soft tissue implant systems, instruments and related methods

A method of joining a first bone or tissue segment and a second bone or tissue segment, comprising:

• obtaining or providing an implant system comprising:
• a first anchor tube comprising a first annular side wall defining a first internal cavity, a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end;
• a second anchor tube comprising a second annular side wall defining a second internal cavity, a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end;
• and
• at least one suture that passes through the first side wall a plurality of times and through the second side wall a plurality of times,
• wherein the at least one suture extends through the second anchor tube along a pattern that prevents the second anchor tube from translating along the at least one suture, and deforms the second anchor tube, when first and second end portions of the at least one suture are tensioned, and wherein the at least one suture extends through the first anchor tube along a pattern that allows the first anchor tube to translate along the at least one suture toward the second anchor tube when the first and second end portions of the at least one suture are tensioned,
• wherein the pattern of the at least one suture extending through the second anchor tube comprises a first intermediate portion of the at least one suture that extends from the first side wall of the first anchor tube to a first portion of the second side wall of the second anchor tube, a second intermediate portion of the at least one suture that extends from a third portion of the second side wall of the second anchor tube to the first side wall of the first anchor tube, and a loop that extends from the second side wall of the second anchor tube between second and fourth portions of the second side wall,
• wherein the first portion of the second side wall is positioned proximate to the first longitudinal of the second anchor tube, the third portion of the second side wall is positioned proximate to the second longitudinal of the second anchor tube, and the second and fourth portions of the second side wall are positioned longitudinally between first and third portions of the second side wall, and
• wherein the loop of the at least one suture extends around the first and second intermediate portions of the at least one suture;
• translating at least one of the first and second anchor tubes at least partially through at least one of a first bone or tissue and a second bone or tissue;
• tensioning the first and second end portions of the at least one suture in divergent directions to:
• seat the first anchor tube against the first bone or tissue and deform the first anchor tube;
• seat the second anchor tube against the second bone or tissue and deform the second anchor tube;
• adjust the loop such that the loop is drawn against the second side wall and the first and second intermediate portions of the at least one suture such that the second anchor tube and the at least one suture are fixed;
• and
• draw the first bone or tissue and the second first bone or tissue together;
• and
• tying the first and second end portions of the at least one suture in a knot to fix the relationship of the first bone or tissue and the second bone or tissue.