Device for repairing a soft-tissue tear and method
First Claim
1. A fastener for repairing a tear in soft tissue of a patient, the fastener having:
- a root portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end; and
a helical protrusion atop the root portion along a central section thereof between the proximal end and the distal end, the helical protrusion having a helical pitch along the central section, the helical pitch having a substantially constant value along a distal section extending proximal of the distal end and having a variable value extending proximal of the distal section, wherein the helical pitch decreases from the distal end to the proximal end, and wherein the helical protrusion has a radial depth from an outer edge to the root portion, the radial depth smaller adjacent the distal end than along the variable section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tear in soft tissue of a patient, such as a meniscal tear in a knee. The fastener has a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end and a helical protrusion along a central section between the proximal end and the distal end. Along a distal section extending from the distal end, the helical pitch is substantially constant; along a central section between the distal section and the proximal end, the helical pitch decreases from the distal end to the proximal end. The substantially constant pitch along the distal section assists in preventing a stripping of the helical section. At the proximal end is a head having a diameter greater than a major root diameter of the central section. The head is for improving the tissue retention characteristics of the fastener.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A fastener for repairing a tear in soft tissue of a patient, the fastener having:
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a root portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end; and
a helical protrusion atop the root portion along a central section thereof between the proximal end and the distal end, the helical protrusion having a helical pitch along the central section, the helical pitch having a substantially constant value along a distal section extending proximal of the distal end and having a variable value extending proximal of the distal section, wherein the helical pitch decreases from the distal end to the proximal end, and wherein the helical protrusion has a radial depth from an outer edge to the root portion, the radial depth smaller adjacent the distal end than along the variable section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for repairing a tear in soft tissue of a patient, the system comprising:
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a fastener having;
a root portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end;
a helical protrusion atop the root portion along a central section thereof between the proximal end and the distal end, the helical protrusion having a helical pitch along the central section, the helical pitch having a substantially constant value along a distal section extending proximal of the distal end and having a variable section extending proximal of the distal section, wherein the helical pitch decreases from the distal end to the proximal end, and wherein the helical protrusion has a radial depth from an outer edge to the root portion, the radial depth smaller adjacent the distal end than along the variable section; and
an axial bore at least partially therethrough generally along a helical axis vector proceeding from the head and into the root portion from the proximal end, the bore having a noncircular cross-sectional shape; and
an elongated driving device having;
a distal end having means for mating with the fastener bore;
a proximal end having means for being rotationally driven; and
a noncircular cross-sectional shape along a distal section adjacent the distal end, the distal section dimensioned for entry into the bore and to permit relative axial sliding and rotational coupling movement therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for repairing a soft-tissue tear, the method comprising the steps of:
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moving a needle axially into a bore of the fastener, the needle adapted to drive the fastener, the fastener having;
a root portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal section having a narrowing cross section toward the distal end; and
a helical protrusion atop the root portion along a central section thereof between the proximal end and the distal end, the helical protrusion having a helical pitch along the central section, the helical pitch having a substantially constant value along a distal section extending proximal of the distal end and having a variable section extending proximal of the distal section, wherein the helical pitch decreases from the distal end to the proximal end, and wherein the helical protrusion has a radial depth from an outer edge to the root portion, the radial depth smaller adjacent the distal end than along the variable section;
inserting the fastener into an area of soft tissue adjacent the tear;
manipulating the distal end of the fastener to a position generally normal to a long axis of the tear;
piercing the tissue to be repaired with a tip of the needle;
driving the fastener across the tear in a screwing motion by rotating the needle and hence the fastener, the proximal decrease in the helical pitch serving to bring two sides of the tear into apposition as the fastener is advanced.
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Specification