Paragraph Number

108

Referring to FIG. 25, the suture keeper 300 includes an elongate, generally planar body 330 extending from a proximal end 332 to a distal end 334 and having a length 336 between the proximal and distal ends 332, 334 and a width 338 between first and second sides 326, 328. A first slot 340 formed in the body 330 defines a first, proximal, cantilevered tab 342 free at its distal end 344. Preferably the first slot 340 is narrower than the suture anchor 100 so that the suture anchor can lie in the first slot 340 without passing through the first slot 340. A second slot 346 defines a second, distal, cantilevered tab 348 free at its proximal end 350. Four holes are formed through the body 330 adjacent the first slot 340 with a first pair of holes 352, 354 adjacent a side of the first slot 340 nearer the first side 326 of the body 330 and a second pair of holes 356, 358 adjacent an opposite side of the first slot 340 nearer the second side 328 of the body 330. First and second spaced apart proximal notches 360, 362 are formed into the proximal end 332 of the body 330 with the notches 360, 362 being nearer the first and second sides 326, 328 of the body 330 respectively. First and second spaced apart distal notches 364, 366 are formed into the distal end 334 of the body 330 with the notches 364, 366 being nearer the first and second sides 326, 328 of the body respectively. First and second spaced apart distal slits 368, 369 are formed in the distal end 334 of the body 330 with the slits 368, 369 being nearer the first and second sides 326, 328 of the body respectively. Preferably the distal slits 368, 369 are located between the distal notches 364, 366. In the illustrative example of FIG. 25, the suture keeper is made from a thin, flexible sheet of material.

Added by DJM 9 2021