Importance

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Abstract

A method for closing an opening in soft tissue inside the body includes the step of making an incision in the body for permitting access to the interior of the body generally adjacent to the location of the opening in the soft tissue inside the body. An instrument is inserted through the incision to the vicinity of the opening in the soft tissue, and passes through the soft tissue and across the opening in the tissue generally from the first side of the opening to a second side of the opening opposite the first side. At least a part of the instrument lies in a passage in the soft tissue. A first leg of a generally H-shaped suture is pushed generally lengthwise in the instrument into the passage with the first leg and a cross member connecting the first leg to a second leg being resiliently deflected from their relaxed positions relative to one another. The first leg moves back to its relaxed position relative to the cross member upon passing out of the instrument, and extends transversely with respect to the lengthwise extension of the passage across the exit thereof so that the first leg cannot move back into the passage. The second leg extends generally transversely with respect to the lengthwise extension of the passage across the entrance thereof so that the second leg cannot move into the passage. The cross member is disposed in the passage and is sized so that the legs of the suture compress the opening shut. In another aspect, a method for repairing a tear formed by separation of the soft tissue from the bone in which a suture is inserted through the bone and tissue, and across the tear.

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First Claim