Bioabsorbable surgical fastener for tissue treatment

• US 6,551,343 B1
• Filed: 03/14/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bionx Implants, Oy (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bionx Implants, Oy (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tamminmäki, Markku, Törmälä, Pertti, Kaikkonen, Auvo, Pohjonen, Timo
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US09/523,869
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/73, 606/75, 606/77, 606/155, 606/213, 606/154
• US Class Current: 606/213
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surgical fastener or device (implant) formed in the shape of an arrow comprising a shaft with a proximal (first) portion having a blunt end and tapered form, such that the proximal portion is broad at its blunt end and tapers in the direction of a distal (second) portion of the shaft, the distal portion having protrusions and a pointed end, wherein the tapered form of the proximal portion and the protrusions of the distal portion are configured to lock the implant in a position inside a soft and/or tough tissue according to the use of the implant. The implant may be manufactured of a polymer or a polymeric compound which is substantially (bio)absorbable (resorable) after implantation in tissue and contains an oriented reinforcing structure or the like of a polymer or polymeric compound or ceramic bioactive glass compound.

Claims

1. A fastener for soft tissue or meniscus repair comprising:

a tapered, single shaft having a proximal portion having a first width and a distal portion having a second width, wherein said first width is greater than said second width and the tapered, single shaft tapers from the proximal portion toward the distal portion, said distal portion having one or more protrusions, said protrusions having proximal surfaces configured to arrest the movement of the fastener in the proximal direction and distal surfaces configured to permit the movement of the fastener in the distal direction, wherein said proximal portion of said tapered, single shaft is capable of permitting the movement of the fastener in the distal direction until said fastener is pushed to a desired point inside the soft tissue or meniscus to be repaired and said tapered, single shaft and protrusions are capable of locking said fastener inside said tissue to be repaired, and further comprising one or more longitudinal ridges disposed on the shaft between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the fastener.

2. A fastener according to claim 1, wherein said distal protrusions are disposed on said one or more longitudinal ridges.

3. A fastener according to claim 1, further comprising a bioactive material disposed in the fastener.

4. A method for the repair of a rupture in a meniscus having a surface, using the fastener of claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:

aligning the fastener of claim 1 on the surface of the meniscus; and

pushing the fastener into the meniscus so that the fastener is embedded within the meniscus and bridges the rupture.

5. A fastener according to claim 1, said fastener is manufactured from a bioabsorbable material.

6. A fastener according to claim 5, wherein said protrusions comprise barbs.

7. A fastener according to claim 5, further comprising one or more longitudinal ridges disposed on the shaft between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the fastener.

8. A fastener according to claim 7, wherein said distal protrusions are disposed on said one or more longitudinal ridges.

9. A fastener according to claim 8, further comprising a bioactive material disposed in the fastener.

10. A method for the repair of a tear in a meniscus using the fastener of claim 5, said method comprising the steps of:

aligning the fastener of claim 5 on a surface of the meniscus; and

pushing the fastener into the meniscus and across the tear in the meniscus, so that the tapered shaft and protrusions of the fastener lock the fastener inside the meniscus and close the tear in the meniscus.