SUTURE SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS FOR CONNECTING AND CREATING SUSPENSION BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO BODIES
A suture suspension system including a flexible backstop extending along a longitudinal axis and having two ends positioned in a first direction in an undeployed configuration. A length of suture can be positioned through the flexible backstop and forms a bridge connecting and creating suspension between a first body to a second body. In a deployed configuration, the two ends of the flexible backstop are positioned in a second direction different from the first direction. The system may also include an anchoring body having the length of suture woven therethrough. A portion of the anchoring body is positioned on a distal surface of a second body and a portion of the flexible backstop is positioned on a proximal surface of the first body.
1 . A suture system, comprising:
a flexible backstop having two ends;
a strand of suture; and
a needle having a loading loop;
wherein the strand of suture is threaded over the loading loop, and the needle passes through the flexible backstop such that at least a first portion of the strand of suture is positioned through the flexible backstop.
2 . The suture system of claim 1 , wherein when the needle is pulled through the flexible backstop, the loading loop and the strand of suture are pulled through the flexible backstop.
3 . The suture system of claim 1 ,
wherein the flexible backstop comprises
a first state in which the flexible backstop is uncompressed and extends along a first longitudinal axis; and
a second state in which the flexible backstop is compressed and expanded in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
4 . The suture system of claim 3 , wherein at least a second portion of the strand of suture is configured to form a bridge connecting a first proximal body and second distal body when in use.
5 . The suture system of claim 4 , further comprising an anchoring body having at least a portion of the strand of suture positioned through the anchoring body.
6 . The suture system of claim 5 , wherein the anchoring body and the flexible backstop are held in relative position to each other via the strand of suture.
7 . The suture system of claim 6 , wherein a portion of the anchoring body is positioned on a distal surface of the second distal body and a portion of the flexible backstop is positioned on a proximal surface of the first proximal body in the deployed configuration.
8 . The suture system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible backstop is an all-suture backstop.
9 . The suture system of claim 5 , wherein the anchoring body is an all-suture button or a metal button.
10 . The suture system of claim 4 , wherein the at least second portion of the strand of suture is positioned through a single hole formed in at least one of the first proximal body and the second distal body.
11 . The suture system of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the flexible backstop and the anchoring body is comprised of radiopaque fiber.