Apparatus and method for use in repairs of injured soft tissue
First Claim
1. A bridge member for use in repairing injured soft tissue in humans, comprising:
- a bridging section adapted to bridge across a soft tissue injury;
a first connector end on the bridging section adapted to attach on a first side of the soft tissue injury;
a second connector end on the bridging section adapted to attach on a second side of the soft tissue injury; and
a first cleat adapted for positioning and attachment at the first connector end, the first cleat comprising mating members adapted for coapting the first connector end to soft tissue on the first side of the soft tissue injury,wherein the second connector end comprises at least two split portions spanning from the bridging section, each of the split portions having a plurality of apertures and a plurality of spikes for selective attachment of the second connector end to the second side of the soft tissue injury.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and apparatus for augmenting the surgical repair of soft tissue injuries, in which a first end of a bridge member attaches to a first portion of healthy tissue, and a second end of the bridge member attaches to a second portion of healthy tissue. The bridge member (or bridge members) used to augment the soft tissue repair may be interconnected or function independently. Flexibility and elasticity of the bridge member are determined by the situation and may be altered to improve healing. The device may be used in arthroscopic procedures, and may be manufactured in a variety of lengths, or may be manufactured one length and be cut to the desired length, or otherwise altered to provide an optimal length of the bridge member.
378 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A bridge member for use in repairing injured soft tissue in humans, comprising:
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a bridging section adapted to bridge across a soft tissue injury; a first connector end on the bridging section adapted to attach on a first side of the soft tissue injury; a second connector end on the bridging section adapted to attach on a second side of the soft tissue injury; and a first cleat adapted for positioning and attachment at the first connector end, the first cleat comprising mating members adapted for coapting the first connector end to soft tissue on the first side of the soft tissue injury, wherein the second connector end comprises at least two split portions spanning from the bridging section, each of the split portions having a plurality of apertures and a plurality of spikes for selective attachment of the second connector end to the second side of the soft tissue injury. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A bridge member for use in repairing injured soft tissue in humans, comprising:
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a bridging section adapted to bridge across a soft tissue injury; a first connector end on the bridging section adapted to attach on a first side of the soft tissue injury; a second connector end on the bridging section adapted to attach on a second side of the soft tissue injury; and a first cleat adapted for positioning and attachment at the first connector end, the first cleat comprising mating members adapted for coapting the first connector end to soft tissue on the first side of the soft tissue injury, wherein the second connector end comprises at least two split portions spanning from the bridging section, each of the split portions having a plurality of spikes on at least one surface for engaging soft tissue on the second side of the soft tissue injury. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification