Repair tack for bodily tissue
First Claim
1. A tack for holding together tissue to permit healing in vivo comprisinga shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a substantially cylindrical bore extending longitudinally from said proximal end to said distal end to allow a needle to pass freely entirely through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetration in the tissue;
- anda plurality of barbs disposed along said shaft, said barbs including a distal barb tapering to terminate at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barbs in the tissue,entirely of said tack being made of a biodegradable material having a degradation time selected to be at least as long as the required healing time for the tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A tack for holding together tissue to permit healing in vivo comprising
a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a substantially cylindrical bore extending longitudinally from said proximal end to said distal end to allow a needle to pass freely entirely through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetration in the tissue; - and
a plurality of barbs disposed along said shaft, said barbs including a distal barb tapering to terminate at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barbs in the tissue, entirely of said tack being made of a biodegradable material having a degradation time selected to be at least as long as the required healing time for the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tack for holding tissue to permit healing in vivo comprising
a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a bore extending longitudinally through said shaft from said proximal end to said distal end for allowing a needle to pass through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetrating the tissue; - and
a distal barb terminating at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barb in the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A tack for insertion in the body to hold tissue for healing comprising
a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a bore extending longitudinally through said shaft from said proximal end to said distal end, said distal end having a sharp circular edge of substantially the same diameter as said bore, the entirety of said tack being made of biodegradable material as an integral unit.
Specification