Importance

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Abstract

When a discontinuity in body tissue is to be closed, a suture is inserted through openings in a plurality of anchors. A thin elongated member, such as a needle or K-wire, is also inserted through the openings in the anchors. The thin elongated member is then inserted through the body tissue at a first location along one side of the discontinuity in the body tissue. A first anchor is then pushed through the body tissue from the inner side of the body tissue to the outer side of the body tissue with the suture extending through the opening in the anchor. The thin elongated member is then withdrawn from the body tissue and subsequently inserted through the body tissue at a second location disposed along the second or opposite side of the discontinuity. The next succeeding anchor in the array of anchors on the suture and thin elongated member is then pushed through the body tissue at the second location. Pulling on the suture presses the anchors against the body tissue and presses the body tissue together. The anchors may be pushed through the body tissue with a pusher member or by pushing the anchors against each other.

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First Claim