Abstract: A method for closing an opening in soft tissue inside the body includes the step of making an incision in the body for permitting access to the interior of the body generally adjacent to the location of the opening in the soft tissue inside the body. An instrument is inserted through the incision to the vicinity of the opening in the soft tissue, and passes through the soft tissue and across the opening in the tissue generally from the first side of the opening to a second side of the opening opposite the first side. At least a part of the instrument lies in a passage in the soft tissue. A first leg of a generally H-shaped suture is pushed generally lengthwise in the instrument into the passage with the first leg and a cross member connecting the first leg to a second leg being resiliently deflected from their relaxed positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A system for repairing a tear in the meniscus in the knee joint including a suture having a first leg, a second leg spaced from the first leg and a cross member connecting the first and second legs. An instrument for delivering the suture to the meniscus can be inserted through an incision in the knee and into the vicinity of the meniscus. A first end of the instrument enters the meniscus adjacent to a first side of the tear, passes through the meniscus and exits the meniscus on a second side of the tear in the meniscus generally opposite the first side of the tear. The instrument has a channel extending longitudinally of the instrument in which the first leg of the suture can be inserted. A push rod pushes the first leg and cross member generally lengthwise in the channel and into the meniscus where the suture closes the tear.