# US 9,872,677 B2 · Suture assembly with suture load distribution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,677 B2 - Document ID: US9872677B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/176,804 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-10 - Assignees: Biomet C.V. - Applicants: Biomet C.V. - Inventors: David Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872677B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - B60C 9/0042: {Reinforcements made of synthetic materials} - D01D 10/02: Heat treatment (heating for finishing D02J13/00) - D01F 6/62: from polyesters - A61B 2017/0403: {Dowels} - A61B 2017/0406: {Pledgets} - A61B 2017/0417: {T-fasteners} - A61B 2017/0495: {Reinforcements for suture lines} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - D01D: MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS - D01F: CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS ## Abstract A method for securing a flexible member may include forming a bore in a bone; inserting an anchor into the bore, the anchor including a passage and being coupled to a flexible member; slideably positioning a first load distributing member along the flexible member; inserting the first load distributing member into the bore such that the flexible member engages the first load distributing member; and applying tension to a portion of the flexible member to secure the anchor and load distributing member within the bone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A suture assembly comprising: a flexible member; first and second flexible anchors each defining a passage and being slideably coupled to the flexible member; first, second, and third load distributing members disposed along the flexible member; a retaining element positioned on the flexible member adjacent to the first load distributing member, wherein the retaining element is configured to adjust a position of the first load distributing member on the flexible member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suture assembly of claim 1, wherein the first load distributing member defines an elongated bore that extends along a longitudinal axis of the first load distributing member, sized to receive multiple lengths of flexible members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The suture assembly of claim 2, wherein the first load distributing member has an outer sidewall sized to fit snugly within a bore in a bone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The suture assembly of claim 3, wherein the first load distributing member extends along the longitudinal axis a length sized to protrude from a bore in a bone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The suture assembly of claim 1, wherein the first load distributing member is formed from a substantially rigid material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The suture assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is a suture that extends from a first end to a second end, the first end passing through the first load distributing member a plurality of times such that an adjustable loop including the flexible anchor is formed on a first side of the first load distributing member and the first and second ends are positioned on a second side of the first load distributing member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The suture assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is a knot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The suture assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bore extending along a longitudinal length of the first load distributing member, wherein an edge of the bore is chamfered. ### Claim 9 A suture assembly comprising: a flexible member; a flexible anchor defining a first opening located proximate a first end, a second opening located proximate a second end, and a passage connecting the first opening and the second opening, the flexible member passing through the passage; a first load distributing member disposed along the flexible member, the first load distributing member being formed from a substantially rigid material; a retaining element positioned on the flexible member adjacent to the first load distributing member, wherein the retaining element is configured to adjust a position of the first load distributing member on the flexible member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The suture assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second load distributing member positioned on the flexible member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The suture assembly of claim 9, wherein the first load distributing member defines an elongated bore that extends along a longitudinal axis of the first load distributing member, the elongated bore sized to receive multiple lengths of flexible members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The suture assembly of claim 11, wherein the first load distributing member has an outer sidewall sized to fit snugly within a bore in a bone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The suture assembly of claim 9, wherein the flexible anchor includes a first and second flexible anchor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The suture assembly of claim 9, wherein the flexible member is a suture that extends from a first end to a second end, the first end passing through the first load distributing member a plurality of times such that an adjustable loop including the flexible anchor is formed on a first side of the first load distributing member and the first and second ends are positioned on a second side of the first load distributing member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The suture assembly of claim 9, wherein the flexible anchor includes a first and second flexible anchor and the first load distributing member includes a first, second, and third load distributing member. ### Claim 16 A suture assembly comprising: a flexible member; a flexible anchor defining first and second openings located intermediately between first and second ends of the flexible anchor and a passage connecting the first opening and the second opening, the flexible member passing through the passage; a first load distributing member disposed along the flexible member, the first load distributing member being formed from a substantially rigid material; and a retaining element positioned on the flexible member adjacent to the first load distributing member, wherein the retaining element is configured to adjust a position of the first load distributing member on the flexible member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The suture assembly of claim 16, wherein the flexible anchor is constructed from a woven material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The suture assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second openings do not break a weave of the woven material.