Connector device and method for surgically joining and securing flexible tissue repair members

A connector for affixing at least one piece of flexible, elongated material at a surgical site, the connector comprising:

• a locking member having:
• a longitudinal bore extending from a proximal end;
• at least one slot extending from the proximal end through a side wall and in communication with the bore, a top portion of the locking member encompassing the slot movable between a first position having a first diameter and a second position having a second diameter larger than the first diameter and biased to the second position;
• an engagement portion at a distal end;
• and
• means for supporting a flexible member at a proximal end;
• an outer member having means for receiving the locking member engagement portion, the outer member movable between an disengaged position and a locking position in cooperation with the flexible member supporting means;
• and
• means for causing a piece of flexible material to achieve a nonlinear path relative to the locking member engagement portion and the outer member receiving means, wherein when the outer member is in the locking position the flexible material piece is retainable along the nonlinear path against movement between the locking member and the outer member, the causing means further adapted to permit a placement and a locking of the outer member and the locking member at a desired surgical site in a generally collinear fashion with the flexible material piece.

A method for affixing a piece of flexible material at a surgical site, the method comprising the steps of:

• passing a piece of flexible material through a passage in a generally cylindrical locking member;
• passing a generally cylindrical outer member over the locking member in covering relation to at least a portion of the passage, at least a portion of the locking member dimensioned to closely engage a bore of the outer member, the flexible material proceeding between the locking member outer surface and the outer member bore inner surface to form a serpentine pathway;
• and
• retaining at least a portion of the inner member within the outer member bore to form a locked position therebetween.