Self-cinching suture construct apparatus
A knotless self-cinching suture construct device includes a continuous loop and a self-cinching suture member. The suture is configured for insertion into a passage hole in injured soft tissue, such as a torn or damaged meniscus in the knee. The suture and continuous loop are passed entirely through the passage hole in the tissue, and the self-cinching suture member is inserted through the continuous loop to form a hitch using the continuous loop around the tissue. The self-cinching suture member is then pulled tight, allowing a first strand to slide through both the hitched continuous loop and a self-cinching sleeve on the suture member. When tension is applied, the sleeve tightens around the strand much like a finger trap, preventing inadvertent release of the applied suture tension. The suture construct is configured for use through a transosseous tunnel with a detent structure in some embodiments.
1 . A suture construct apparatus, comprising:
a continuous loop member;
a self-cinching suture member disposed on the continuous loop member, the self-cinching suture member including a first strand extending through the continuous loop member, a second strand having a proximal end opposite the continuous loop member, and a sleeve defined on the second strand between the proximal end and the continuous loop member; and
a detent structure formed on the proximal end of the second strand;
wherein the first strand passes through the sleeve and forms a self-cinching suture member free end extending away from the sleeve toward the detent structure, and
wherein the first strand is axially moveable through the sleeve.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the detent structure is integrally formed on the second strand.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sleeve of the self-cinching suture member is operable to tighten against the first strand when tension is applied to the self-cinching suture member free end.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second strands form an adjustable loop.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein a length of the adjustable loop is adjustable by sliding the first strand through the sleeve.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve of the self-cinching suture member is operable to tighten against the first strand when tension is applied to the self-cinching suture member free end.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a suture button disposed on the self-cinching suture member detent structure.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sleeve of the self-cinching suture member is operable to tighten against the first strand when tension is applied to the self-cinching suture member free end.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to form a girth hitch on the continuous loop member.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sleeve of the self-cinching suture member is operable to tighten against the first strand when tension is applied to the self-cinching suture member free end.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the detent structure forms a self-cinching suture member fixed loop, and
wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a tether operable to maintain tension on the self-cinching suture member fixed loop.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the sleeve of the self-cinching suture member is operable to tighten against the first strand when tension is applied to the self-cinching suture member free end.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is defined within the self-cinching suture member.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the sleeve of the self-cinching suture member is operable to tighten against the first strand when tension is applied to the self-cinching suture member free end.