Method and apparatus for securing an object to bone, including the provision and use of a novel suture assembly for securing suture to bone

A method for attaching an object to an anatomical structure, the method comprising:

• providing a suture assembly comprising:
• a first suture having a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm and a first bridge connecting the first arm of the first suture to the second arm of the first suture;
• a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a second bridge connecting the first arm of the second suture to the second arm of the second suture;
• the first arm of the second suture being wound helically around the first arm of the first suture in a single first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a single second, opposite direction;
• wherein the first arm of the second suture is wound three times around the first arm of the first suture and the second arm of the second suture is wound three times around the second arm of the first suture;
• the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration;
• inserting the suture assembly into an opening in the anatomical structure while the suture assembly is in its longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, with the first and second arms of the first suture extending from the opening in the anatomical structure;
• and
• transforming the suture assembly from its longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration to its longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration in order to secure the suture assembly to the anatomical structure.

A system for securing an object to an anatomical structure, the system comprising:

• a suture assembly comprising:
• a first suture having a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm and a first bridge connecting the first arm of the first suture to the second arm of the first suture;
• a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a second bridge connecting the first arm of the second suture to the second arm of the second suture;
• the first arm of the second suture being wound helically around the first arm of the first suture in a single first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wound helically around the second arm of the first suture in a single second, opposite direction;
• wherein the first arm of the second suture is wound three times around the first arm of the first suture and the second arm of the second suture is wound three times around the second arm of the first suture;
• the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration;
• and
• an inserter assembly for deploying the suture assembly in the anatomical structure, the inserter assembly comprising:
• an insertion tube for carrying at least a portion of the suture assembly within the insertion tube when the suture assembly is in its longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration;
• and
• a push rod for engaging the suture assembly when the suture assembly is disposed within the insertion tube.