Visual aid for identifying suture limbs arthroscopically

Abstract

A flexible suture for coupling tissue includes a first suture portion extending to a first end and a second suture portion extending to a second end. A plurality of braided strands form the first and second suture portions. An identifier characteristic is formed into the plurality of braided strands. The identifier characteristic extends from the first end of the first suture portion to the second end of the second suture portion, and the identifier characteristic distinguishes the first suture portion from the second suture portion.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A flexible suture construct, comprising:
 a first suture limb and a second suture limb, the first and second suture limbs each including a braided suture portion that is composed of a plurality of suture strands braided together to define an outer suture wall and a hollow core, wherein the first suture limb includes a first aperture extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and the second suture limb includes a second aperture extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and wherein a first section of the first suture limb extends through the second aperture and into the hollow core of the second suture limb, and a first section of the second suture limb extends through the first aperture and into the hollow core of the first suture limb.   
     
     
         3 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 2 , wherein the first suture limb is locked within the hollow core of the second suture limb, and the second suture limb is locked within the hollow core of the first suture limb. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 2 , wherein the first and/or second suture limb includes a visual identifier characteristic configured to allow a medical professional to visually distinguish between the first and second suture limbs. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 4 , wherein the visual identifier characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a tracer strand on a portion of the flexible suture construct, a diameter of the first suture limb being different than a diameter of the second suture limb, a color of the first suture limb being different than a color of the second suture limb, and a size of the first suture limb being different than a size of the second suture limb. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 2 , wherein the first suture limb includes a terminal end and the second suture limb includes a terminal end, and wherein the terminal end of the first suture limb is disposed within the hollow core of the second suture limb, and the terminal end of the second suture limb is disposed within the hollow core of the first suture limb. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 2 , wherein the first aperture is formed as loose portions between pairs of strands defining the first suture limb. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 7 , wherein the second aperture is formed as loose portions between pairs of strands defining the second suture limb. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 2 , wherein the first suture limb comprises a plurality of apertures extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and the second suture limb comprises a plurality of apertures extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 9 , wherein the first suture limb extends through the plurality of apertures of the second suture limb, and the second suture limb extends through the plurality of apertures in the first suture limb. 
     
     
         11 . A flexible suture construct, comprising:
 a first suture limb and a second suture limb, the first and second suture limbs each including a braided suture portion that is composed of a plurality of suture strands braided together to define an outer suture wall and a hollow core, wherein the first suture limb is locked within the hollow core of the second suture limb, and the second suture limb is locked within the hollow core of the first suture limb.   
     
     
         12 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 11 , wherein the first suture limb includes a first aperture extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and the second suture limb includes a second aperture extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and wherein a first section of the first suture limb extends through the second aperture and into the hollow core of the second suture limb, and a first section of the second suture limb extends through the first aperture and into the hollow core of the first suture limb. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 11 , wherein the first suture limb includes a terminal end and the second suture limb includes a terminal end, and wherein the terminal end of the first suture limb is disposed within the hollow core of the second suture limb, and the terminal end of the second suture limb is disposed within the hollow core of the first suture limb. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 13 , wherein the terminal end of the first suture limb is configured to resist reverse movement inside the hollow core of the second suture limb when the first and second suture limbs are placed in tension. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 14 , wherein the terminal end of the second suture limb is configured to resist reverse movement inside the hollow core of the first suture limb when the first and second suture limbs are placed in tension. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 12 , wherein the first aperture is formed as loose portions between pairs of strands defining the first suture limb. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 16 , wherein the second aperture is formed as loose portions between pairs of strands defining the second suture limb. 
     
     
         18 . A flexible suture construct, comprising:
 a first suture limb and a second suture limb, the first and second suture limbs each including a braided suture portion that is composed of a plurality of suture strands braided together to define an outer suture wall and a hollow core, wherein the first suture limb is locked within the hollow core of the second suture limb, and the second suture limb is locked within the hollow core of the first suture limb, and wherein the first and/or second suture limb includes a visual identifier characteristic configured to allow a medical professional to visually distinguish between the first and second suture limbs.   
     
     
         19 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 18 , wherein the visual identifier characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a tracer strand on a portion of the flexible suture construct, a diameter of the first suture limb being different than a diameter of the second suture limb, a color of the first suture limb being different than a color of the second suture limb, and a size of the first suture limb being different than a size of the second suture limb. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 18 , wherein the first suture limb includes a first aperture extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and the second suture limb includes a second aperture extending through its outer suture wall and into its hollow core, and wherein a first section of the first suture limb extends through the second aperture and into the hollow core of the second suture limb, and a first section of the second suture limb extends through the first aperture and into the hollow core of the first suture limb. 
     
     
         21 . The flexible suture construct of  claim 20 , wherein the first aperture is formed as loose portions between pairs of strands defining the first suture limb, and the second aperture is formed as loose portions between pairs of strands defining the second suture limb.