MINIMALLY INVASIVE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR APPROXIMATING TISSUE WITH A SUTURE

摘要

A minimally invasive surgical method of approximating tissue includes coupling an adjustable loop of suture around an inserter. The loop can be coupled to the inserter by applying tension to a tail of the suture to collapse the loop around the inserter, then the inserter and loop are passed through a first location in tissue. The loop is decoupled from the inserter, the inserter is retracted from the first location, and reinserted into a second location in the tissue, after which the loop is recoupled to the inserter while the loop is distal of the tissue. The decoupling, retraction, and reinsertion can occur without withdrawing the inserter from the patient's body. The inserter and loop are then withdrawn together from the tissue through this second location and outside of the patient's body. The tails and loop can form a luggage knot to be reduced around the tissue.