A graft suspension device for suspending a ligament in a bone hole having a first loop and a second loop suspending from an 8-hole anchor, and a cradle at the opposite end of the loops to the anchor. The loose ends of the suture are routed through holes in the anchor separate from the loops and are joined together to form a single tail. A finger loop allows a surgeon to adjust the distance of the cradle from the anchor with the cradle staying centered with respect to the anchor as the distance is adjusted.

A method of suturing includes: (1) wrapping a first segment of a suture through a traction loop; (2) pulling the traction loop and the first segment through an opening in a suture lock; (3) continuing to pull the traction loop such that a second segment of the suture extends through the opening, wherein the second segment has a greater denier than the first segment such that the second segment more nearly fills an entire dimension of the opening than the first segment; and (4) locking the suture in place with the second segment in the opening.

Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices, loops and inserts that are pre-loaded onto knotless anchors to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The splice incorporates an insert in the form of a flexible strand with at least one barb, or simply in the form of a cut length of suture or braid that is inserted into the center of the cinching loop to create a thicker portion. When the cinching loop is tightened, the insert prevents loosening of the loop, locking in the cinching loop and preventing movement of the loop.

Devices and methods for soft tissue reconstruction are provided. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a body a suture filament extending through through-holes formed in the body. The suture is formed into an overhand knot having three collapsible openings with filament limbs extending from the knot. The limbs can be passed through the thru-holes of the body and selectively into the collapsible openings of the overhand knot to form coils extending to an opposite side of the body. For example, one limb can be passed through first and second collapsible openings to form two coils, while the other limb can be passed through the first and third collapsible openings to form two coils. The collapsible openings are collapsed around the limbs disposed in the openings, resulting in a secured overhand knot. Other configurations of knots, as well as devices and methods for use in tissue reconstruction, are also provided.

A method of performing a tendon replacement, of a tendon connecting a first bone and a second bone, in an animal body utilizing a suture assembly that includes the following construction. A button has two apertures and a suture, engaged to the button, defines a lumen and forms a double loop, formed by a double trap that is opposed to the button. The suture assembly further defines a first single trap, and a third trap. In the method, a drill hole is drilled sequentially through the two bones. Also, a length of tendon tissue is draped over the loop and the button is passed through the drill hole through the first bone and the second bone and the button is oriented to sit on a surface of the second bone and the suture ends extend outwardly through the drill hole.

A suture assembly including a first suture having a generally O-shaped configuration having a first arm, a second arm, a first bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, and a second bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm. The first bridge opposes the second bridge so that the first suture includes a closed loop. A second suture having a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm. The first arm of the second suture is wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture is wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction. The suture assembly is capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration.

A medical device includes a surgical needle attached to an elongated mesh suture. The suture is constructed of macroporous flat wall that facilitates and allows tissue integration into the suture core subsequent to introduction to the body, thereby preventing suture pull-through and improving biocompatibility.

Techniques and reconstruction systems for ligament repair and fixation. A bone tendon graft is prepared by folding the bone block over a suspensory fixation device (for example, a knotless suture construct such as a knotless, adjustable, self-cinching suture loop/button construct, a suture, crosspin, or screw, etc.). A flexible strand is then used to suture the bone plug to the tendon so that the overall graft is shortened significantly and the suspensory fixation device is securely attached. The technique does not require passage of the suspensory fixation device through the bone block which makes the graft passage easier since the graft is pulled from the tip. The technique also allows shortening of the overall graft.

An orthopedic attachment system includes a first bone anchor, a second bone anchor, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector is connected between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor. The flexible connector includes a sliding loop, a tensioning end and a fixed end. The sliding loop is connected to a sling loop bone anchor, and the fixed end is connected to the fixed end bone anchor. The tensioning end is slidably connected and lockable to the fixed end. A flexible connector, a method for attaching a flexible connector between at least two bone anchors in a patient's body, and a method of making a flexible connector are also disclosed.

Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.