US 12,433,581 B2
Tensionable interconnected anchors with double punch inserter
Eric Zajac, Naples, FL (US); Andy Petry, Naples, FL (US); and Derek Sullivan, Naples, FL (US)
Assigned to Arthrex, Inc., Naples, FL (US)
Filed by ARTHREX, INC., Naples, FL (US)
Filed on Aug. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/408,954.
Prior Publication US 2023/0056174 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0401 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0466 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0409 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0464 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0496 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
delivering a surgical tool assembly to a surgical site, the surgical tool assembly including a pronged surgical tool, a first anchor including a first tubular sheath having first and second leg portions extending proximally from a connecting portion, and a second anchor including a second tubular sheath interconnected to the first anchor by a first suture and a second suture, wherein the first suture is spliced through the second suture;
inserting, simultaneously, a first prong and a second prong of the pronged surgical tool through a soft tissue and a bone, wherein the first prong includes first and second pointed distal tips and provides a first saddle therebetween, the second prong includes third and fourth pointed distal tips and provides a second saddle therebetween and, during the delivering step, the connecting portion is received against the first saddle, and the second tubular sheath is received against the second saddle; and
removing the first and second prongs, such that the first and second anchors remain at the surgical site, wherein:
a first free end of the first suture exits the first tubular sheath from the first leg portion, and a first free end of the second suture exits the first tubular sheath from the second leg portion,
the second tubular sheath includes third and fourth leg portions extending proximally from a second connecting portion, wherein a second free end of the first suture exits the second tubular sheath from the third leg portion, and a second free end of the second suture exits the second tubular sheath from the fourth leg portion,
the first suture is spliced through the second suture within the second tubular sheath at a first splice section, and the second suture is spliced through the first suture within the first tubular sheath at a second splice section, and
the first and second sutures are spliced through the first free end of the first suture at a third splice section external to the first and second tubular sheaths, and the first and second sutures are spliced through the second free end of the second suture at a fourth splice section external to the first and second tubular sheaths.