Surgical fasteners and method
First Claim
1. A single unit suture for body tissue repair comprising:
- a solid base member for seating against an exterior surface of said tissue;
a single rigid shaft portion upstanding from and integrally connected to said base member adapted for insertion into said tissue; and
barb means integrally connected to said shaft portion to aid in insertion of said shaft portion into said tissue and to lock said shaft portion into said tissue.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical fasteners and a method for repairing a tear in body tissue using the fastener are disclosed. The fastener includes a suture and an instrument for inserting the suture. The suture has a base member for seating against the body tissue, a shaft upstanding from the base member for inserting into the tissue and across the tear, and at least one barb for locking the shaft in place, holding the sides of the tear together. The surgical fastener is particularly adapted for repairing the meniscus at the knee joint. The meniscus is prepared by removing the tip or inner edge thereof to provide a flat surface through which to insert the suture and against which to seat the base member. The suture is inserted through the prepared surface internal to the joint and is outwardly directed. The suture passes through the tear area and joins together the two sides of the tear.
985 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A single unit suture for body tissue repair comprising:
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a solid base member for seating against an exterior surface of said tissue; a single rigid shaft portion upstanding from and integrally connected to said base member adapted for insertion into said tissue; and barb means integrally connected to said shaft portion to aid in insertion of said shaft portion into said tissue and to lock said shaft portion into said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A single unit suture for body tissue repair comprising:
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a solid base member having a substantially flat portion for seating against an exterior surface of said tissue; a single, rigid cylindrical shaft portion upstanding from and integrally connected to said base member and having a pointed end for insertion into said tissue; and barb means positioned along said shaft portion. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for repairing a tear in a meniscus which comprises the steps of:
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providing a single unit suture having a solid base member, a single, rigid shaft portion upstanding from and integrally connected to said base member, and barb means located on and integrally connected to said shaft portion; preparing the medial surface of said meniscus for insertion of said suture; and inserting said suture into said meniscus, through said prepared surface and through said tear to join together opposing edges of said tear for repairing said tear and leaving said base member external to said meniscus. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A single unit surgical fastener for repairing a tear in meniscus and like firm body tissue which comprises:
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a single unit suture including a solid base member for seating against said tissue; a single, rigid shaft member integrally connected to said base member for insertion into said tissue and across said tear; barb means located n said shaft member for locking said shaft member in said tissue and for providing compression between said barb means and said base member; a hollow tube for positioning said suture; and means for controllably moving said suture through said hollow tube and into said tissue with said hollow tube remaining external to said body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification