Helical orthopedic fixation and reduction device, insertion system, and associated methods
First Claim
1. An orthopedic system for fixation of a soft tissue tear comprising:
- a generally helical fixation element; and
a hollow, generally helical insertion element dimensioned to admit at least a distal portion of the fixation element into a lumen thereof, the insertion element insertable in a screwing motion along the soft tissue tear, the insertion element removable in a reverse screwing motion, leaving the fixation element positioned helically in bridging relation along the tear.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An orthopedic system for fixation of a soft tissue tear includes a generally helical fixation element. A hollow, generally helical insertion element is dimensioned to admit at least a distal portion of the fixation element into a lumen thereof. The insertion element is insertable in a screwing motion along the soft tissue tear, and is removable in a reverse screwing motion, leaving the fixation element positioned helically in bridging relation along the tear. A pair of guide needles is provided, wherein one needle is insertable along each of opposed sides of the tear. The proximal ends of each needle are movable into a closely opposed relation, so that when the pair of needles are closely opposed, the insertion element is insertable along the tear in encompassing relation to the pair of needles.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An orthopedic system for fixation of a soft tissue tear comprising:
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a generally helical fixation element; and
a hollow, generally helical insertion element dimensioned to admit at least a distal portion of the fixation element into a lumen thereof, the insertion element insertable in a screwing motion along the soft tissue tear, the insertion element removable in a reverse screwing motion, leaving the fixation element positioned helically in bridging relation along the tear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An orthopedic system for fixation of a soft tissue tear comprising:
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a flexible fixation element; and
a hollow, generally helical insertion element dimensioned to admit at least a distal portion of the fixation element into a lumen thereof, the insertion element insertable in a screwing motion along the soft tissue tear, the insertion element removable in a reverse screwing motion, leaving the fixation element positioned helically in bridging relation along the tear. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of fixating a soft tissue tear comprising the steps of:
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inserting a generally helical insertion element along a soft tissue tear in a screwing motion;
inserting at least a distal portion of a generally helical, flexible fixation element into a lumen of the insertion element; and
withdrawing the insertion element in an unscrewing motion, leaving the fixation element in position along the tear, drawing two sides of the tear together. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An orthopedic system for fixation of a soft tissue tear comprising:
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a length of flexible material having a first end and a second end; and
a hollow, generally helical insertion element comprising a plurality of loops and dimensioned to admit the flexible material into a helical lumen thereof, a portion of the flexible material extending from a distal end thereof and passable through the lumen toward a proximal end of the insertion element, the insertion element insertable in a screwing motion along the soft tissue tear, at least some of the loops of the insertion element bridging the tear, and the insertion element removable from the soft tissue in a reverse screwing motion, leaving the flexible material positioned in stitching relation to the tear, the first and the second ends of the flexible material tightenable to bring two sides of the tear together. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for repairing a tear in soft tissue comprising the steps of:
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inserting a generally helical insertion element along a soft tissue tear in a screwing motion, the insertion element having a helical lumen and a first portion of flexible material inserted therethrough, a second portion of flexible material extending out of a distal end of the insertion element and passing through an axial lumen thereof;
removing the insertion element while leaving the flexible material in place in stitching relation to the soft tissue tear;
pulling ends of the flexible material sufficiently taut to bring two sides of the tear together; and
securing the flexible material ends to retain a desired level of tautness in the soft tissue.
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Specification