| abstract |
A suture assembly comprising:n a first suture having a generally O-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm, a first bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, and a second bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, the first bridge opposing the second bridge so that the first suture comprises a closed loop; a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; the first arm of the second suture being wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction; the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration. |