Method and apparatus for repairing a meniscus

• US 20070156174A1
• Filed: 01/03/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Arthrotek Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stone, Kevin, Kaiser, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US11/324,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156174A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/215
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0646 for insertion into cartillege, e.g. meniscus

Abstract

An apparatus for repairing a separation in body tissue includes an elongated repair member having an intermediate portion extending between a first end and a second end. A first retaining portion is defined at the first end. A second retaining portion is defined at the second end. The elongated repair member is porous and adapted to allow vascularization through the body tissue while urging opposing portions of the separation together in an implanted position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for repairing a separation in body tissue comprising:

an elongated repair member having an intermediate portion extending between a first end and a second end;

a first retaining portion defined at said first end;

a second retaining portion defined at said second end; and

wherein said elongated repair member is porous and adapted to allow vascularization through the body tissue while urging opposing portions of the separation together in an implanted position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second retaining portions are adapted to engage each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first retaining portion is integrally formed with said elongated repair member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said first and second retaining portions are attached to the tissue by a supplemental device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said supplemental device comprises at least one of staples and sutures.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said integrally formed retaining portion defines a planar portion having an engagement face, said engagement face adapted to press against the body tissue in said implanted position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said elongated repair member defines a first width along said intermediate portion and a second width along said planar portion and wherein said first and second widths are substantially the same.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated repair member is resorbable.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said elongated repair member comprises collagen.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said elongated repair member comprises acellular crosslinked intestinal collagen.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated repair member defines passages formed therein.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein manipulating the elongated piece of material further comprises:

advancing a first end of the repair member into the tissue at the entrance; and

pulling a second end of the repair member away from the entrance whereby opposing surfaces of the separation are urged together.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein manipulating the repair member comprises:

advancing a second end of the repair member out of the exit until an engagement face defined on a first end provides a contact force a surface of the tissue.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein manipulating the repair member further comprises:

at least one of stapling and suturing the second end of the repair member to a surface of the tissue.

12. A method of repairing a separation in body tissue comprising:

forming a passage in the body tissue at a location to repair the separation, the passage defining an entrance and an exit;

passing a repair member through the passage;

manipulate the repair member whereby opposing surfaces of the separation are engaged; and

enabling passage of bodily fluid through the repair member to promote healing at the separation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein forming the passage comprises:

forming the passage from the entrance at a first area of the body tissue, through the tear and out the exit at a second area of the body tissue.

17. An apparatus for repairing a separation in body tissue comprising:

an elongated repair member having an intermediate portion extending between a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be secured to a first area of the soft tissue in an implanted position;

an integrally formed retaining portion positioned at said second end, said integrally formed retaining portion is adapted to engage a second area of the soft tissue; and

wherein said elongated repair member is porous and adapted to allow vascularization through the body tissue while urging opposing portions of the separation together in an implanted position.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said integrally formed retaining portion defines a planar portion having an engagement face, said engagement face adapted to press against said second surface in said implanted position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said repair member defines a first width along said intermediate portion and said second end defines a second width along said planar portion, wherein said first and second widths are substantially the same.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said elongated repair member is resorbable.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said elongated repair member comprises collagen.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said elongated repair member comprises acellular crosslinked intestinal collagen.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said elongated repair member defines passages formed therein.