Meniscal repair device having integral spring member

• US 6,152,935 A
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Naik, Rupam, Trenka-Benthin, Susan, Kammerer, Gene W., Seritella, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRINH, HOA B
• Application Number:
  US09/210,406
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 606/144, 606/139, 606/187, 606/232, 606/145, 606/148
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0618 elastic, e.g. stretchable for prostheses A61F2210/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation

Abstract

An H-type fastener for tissue. The fastener has a central spring member. The spring member has a first end and a second end. Tissue anchor members are mounted to each end. When placed in tissue, the spring member provides a compressive spring force upon tissue between the anchor members of the fastener.

Claims

1. An H-type fastener for surgical tissue, comprising

a central spring structure, said central spring structure having a first end, a second end, and a cross-section, said structure capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position;

a first anchoring member mounted to the first end of the spring structure; and

,

a second anchoring member mounted to the second end of the spring structure;

wherein said spring structure when deformed from the resting position exerts a force on the anchoring members.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure has a saw-tooth configuration.

3. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure has a semi-circular configuration.

4. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure has a helical configuration.

5. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure comprises a sinusoidal wave configuration.

6. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure comprises a square wave configuration.

7. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure comprises a circular arc configuration.

8. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure comprises at least one substantially straight section and at least one substantially curved configuration.

9. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure comprises a circle.

10. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises an elliptical configuration.

11. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises a rectangle.

12. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises a square.

13. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises an "X".

14. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises a "T".

15. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises an I-beam.

16. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises a pair of squares, each square having corners and a diagonal, the squares each connected at one corner along the diagonal.

17. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises a pair of circles having circumferences connected at one point about their circumferences.

18. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the spring structure comprises a rectangle having first and second ends, wherein a circle extends from each end.

19. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the spring structure has a longitudinal axis.

20. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the first and second anchoring members comprise elongated cylindrical members having opposed rounded ends.

21. A method of approximating tissue, said method comprising the steps of

a) inserting an H-type fastener into tissue, said tissue having opposed first and second sections, wherein the H-type fastener comprises

a central spring structure, said central spring structure having a first end, a second end, a cross-section, a longitudinal axis, and a configuration, said structure capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position;

a first tissue anchor mounted to the first end of the spring structure; and

,

a second tissue anchor mounted to the second end of the spring structure;

b) locating the first tissue anchor in or about one section of the tissue;

c) elastically deforming the central spring structure to an extended position;

d) locating the second tissue anchor in or about a second section of the tissue,

thereby applying a compressive spring force to the tissue located between the first and second tissue anchors.

22. An H-type fastener for surgical tissue, comprising

an elongated central connecting member, said member having a first end, a second end, and a cross section;

a first anchoring spring structure mounted to the first end of the central member, said anchoring structure capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position; and

,

a second anchoring spring structure mounted to the second end of the central member, said anchoring structure capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position.

23. The fastener of claim 22 wherein the anchoring spring structures each have a V-shaped configuration comprising two angulated legs connected at an apex and wherein the apex of each anchoring structure is mounted to an end of the elongated central member.

24. A method of approximating tissue, said method comprising the steps of

a) inserting an H-type fastener into tissue, wherein the H-type fastener comprises:

an elongated central connecting member, said member having a first end, a second end, and a cross-section,;

a first anchoring spring structure mounted to the first end of the central member, said spring structure capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position; and

,

a second anchoring spring structure mounted to the second end of the central member, said spring structure capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position;

b) locating the first anchoring spring structure in or about one section of the tissue and deforming the first anchoring spring structure to an extended position; and

,

c) locating the second anchoring spring structure in or about an opposed section of the tissue, and deforming the second anchoring spring structure to an extended position,

thereby applying a spring force to the tissue located between the first and second anchoring spring structures.