Connective tissue repair system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
- positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted;
applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of; and
removing the band of from the anvil,wherein the step of applying the at least one staple to the injured band of includes (1) a step of driving tips of the staple through the band of, and (2) a step of deflecting the tips of the staple against the anvil after they emerge from the band of.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, including apparatus and methods, for repairing injured connective tissue. These systems may include, among others, a surgical stapler and staples for repairing partially or completely severed tendons and/or ligaments.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
-
positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted; applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of; and removing the band of from the anvil, wherein the step of applying the at least one staple to the injured band of includes (1) a step of driving tips of the staple through the band of, and (2) a step of deflecting the tips of the staple against the anvil after they emerge from the band of. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
-
positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted; applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of; and removing the band of from the anvil, wherein the step of applying includes a step of actuating a trigger that advances the staple, and wherein a connective tissue clamp is operatively connected to the trigger such that the step of actuating clamps the band of between the anvil and the connective tissue clamp. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
-
positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted; applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of; and removing the band of from the anvil, wherein the at least one staple has ends, and wherein the step of applying includes a step of penetrating through the injured band of with the ends of the at least one staple, further comprising a step of directing an end of the at least one staple back into the injured band of after the step of penetrating.
-
-
19. A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
-
positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted; applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of; and removing the band of from the anvil, wherein the at least one staple has ends, and wherein the step of applying includes a step of penetrating through the injured band of with the ends of the at least one staple, further comprising a step of directing an end of the at least one staple around the exterior of the injured band of after the step of penetrating.
-
-
20. A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
-
positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted; applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of; and removing the band of from the anvil. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification