Method of using ultrasonic vibration to secure body tissue

A method of securing a suture relative to body tissue comprising:

• providing a suture retainer including a first portion having exterior, interior, and bottom surfaces,
• a second portion having exterior, interior, and bottom surfaces,
• whereby said first portion interior surface and said second portion interior surface are disposed facing each other, thereby forming a gap therebetween;
• positioning a suture through body tissue;
• tensioning the suture;
• positioning the suture within the gap of the suture retainer;
• positioning said first portion bottom surface and said second portion bottom surface of the suture retainer in contact with the body tissue;
• transmitting a force from the suture retainer to the body tissue;
• providing a first tool member having a rigid surface comprising an ultrasonic energy effector;
• providing a second tool member having a rigid surface comprising a member selected from the group consisting of an anvil or an ultrasonic energy effector;
• compressing the suture retainer by engaging first portion exterior surface with said first tool member, and engaging said second portion exterior surface with said second tool member, and compressing the first and second portions between said first and second tool members by bringing said first and second tool members towards each other with a predetermined force;
• and
• applying ultrasonic energy to the suture retainer to thereby bond said first and second portions, whereby the suture is secured to the suture retainer;
• wherein the direction of force with which said first and second tool members are brought together is generally orthogonal to the direction of force applied by the suture retainer to the body tissue, and
• wherein the force with which said first and second tool members are brought together is independent of the force applied by said retainer to the body tissue.

A method of securing a suture relative to body tissue, comprising:

• providing a suture retainer including a base section, at least one arm section defining at least one recess configured for receiving the suture, and a tissue contacting surface, a portion of the base section and a portion of the at least one arm section being generally perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface;
• positioning the suture through first and second layers of body tissue;
• tensioning the suture;
• positioning the suture in the at least one recess;
• positioning the tissue contacting surface of the suture retainer in contact with at least one of the first and second layers of body tissue;
• transmitting a force from the suture retainer to the body tissue, such that the first and second layers of body tissue are in proximal relationship;
• providing a tool having a first tool member having a rigid surface comprising an ultrasonic energy effector, and a second tool member having a rigid surface comprising a member selected from the group consisting of an anvil or an ultrasonic energy effector
• compressing the at least one arm and base sections together by engaging said at least one arm section with one of said first or second tool member, and engaging said base section with the other of said first or second tool member and compressing said at least one arm section and said base section between said first and second tool members by bringing said first and second tool members towards each other with a predetermined force;
• and
• applying ultrasonic energy to the suture retainer to thereby bond said at least one arm and base sections, whereby the suture is secured to the suture retainer.