Method and apparatus for performing meniscus repair
First Claim
1. A method of repairing a tear in body tissue comprising:
- inserting a needle containing a retaining head therein from a first insertion position on a first outer surface of the body tissue, through the tear and to a second outer surface of the body tissue;
ejecting said retaining head from said needle, said retaining head grasping said second outer surface in an engaged position; and
locating a blunt end of a hollow tube adjacent to the body tissue without penetrating the body tissue at a second insertion position distinct from said first insertion position, said hollow tube containing an anchor therein; and
advancing said anchor by advancing a plunger within said hollow tube toward said blunt end, said anchor piercing the body tissue ahead of said plunger and advancing to a position within the body tissue intermediate a portion of the tear and said second outer surface of the body tissue, said anchor coupled to said retaining head by a flexible member that extends from said first insertion position to said second insertion position, wherein a first terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said retaining head and a second terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said anchor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of repairing a tear in body tissue includes inserting a needle containing a retaining head from a first insertion position on a first outer surface of the body tissue, through the tear and to a second outer surface of the body tissue. The retaining head is ejected from the insertion needle and grasps the second outer surface in an engaged position. An anchor coupled to the retaining head by a flexible member is advanced from a second insertion position on the first outer surface of the body tissue to a position at least through a portion of the tear. The flexible member extends a distance along the first outer surface of the body tissue from the first insertion position to the second insertion position.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of repairing a tear in body tissue comprising:
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inserting a needle containing a retaining head therein from a first insertion position on a first outer surface of the body tissue, through the tear and to a second outer surface of the body tissue; ejecting said retaining head from said needle, said retaining head grasping said second outer surface in an engaged position; and locating a blunt end of a hollow tube adjacent to the body tissue without penetrating the body tissue at a second insertion position distinct from said first insertion position, said hollow tube containing an anchor therein; and advancing said anchor by advancing a plunger within said hollow tube toward said blunt end, said anchor piercing the body tissue ahead of said plunger and advancing to a position within the body tissue intermediate a portion of the tear and said second outer surface of the body tissue, said anchor coupled to said retaining head by a flexible member that extends from said first insertion position to said second insertion position, wherein a first terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said retaining head and a second terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said anchor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of repairing a tear in body tissue comprising:
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passing a needle from a first portion of the body tissue, through the tear and to an outer surface of the body tissue; ejecting a retaining head from said needle such that said retaining head lies against said outer surface in an engaged position; locating a blunt hollow member against said first portion of the body tissue without penetrating the body tissue; and deploying an anchor from said blunt hollow member, said anchor coupled to said retaining head by a flexible member, said anchor being advanced from said first portion, through the tear to a desired location within the body tissue intermediate the tear and said outer surface of the body tissue, wherein said flexible member extends a distance along said first portion of the body tissue and wherein a first terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said retaining head and a second terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said anchor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of repairing a tear in a meniscus comprising:
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inserting a cannulated piercing member having a piercing end and defining a first length, said cannulated piercing member containing a retaining head therein from a first insertion position on a first outer surface of the meniscus, through the tear and to a second outer surface of the meniscus, said retaining head having a longitudinal body and positioned generally longitudinally within said cannulation; ejecting said retaining head from said piercing member such that said retaining head engages said second outer surface of the meniscus; and positioning a terminal end of a hollow tube on said first outer surface; and advancing an anchor from said hollow tube, while said hollow tube remains external to said first out surface, said anchor being coupled to said retaining head, wherein said anchor is advanced from a second insertion position on said first outer surface of the meniscus to an implanted position, wherein in said implanted position, said anchor passes through a portion of the tear and remains within tissue defining the meniscus, said anchor coupled to said retaining head by a flexible member that extends a distance along said first outer surface of the meniscus, wherein a first terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said retaining head and a second terminal end of said flexible member is coupled to said anchor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of repairing a tear in body tissue comprising:
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providing a plunger mechanism having a cannulated needle fixedly coupled to a hollow tube at a generally laterally offset relationship; locating a retaining head into the cannulated needle and an anchor into the hollow tube, wherein terminal ends of a flexible member are connected to the retaining head and the anchor respectively; locating the plunger mechanism relative to the body tissue such that a distal tip of the needle passes through a first insertion position of the body tissue, through the tear and to an outer surface of the body tissue, wherein a blunt end of the hollow tube concurrently locates adjacent to the body tissue without penetrating the body tissue at a second insertion position that is offset relative to the first insertion position; and concurrently advancing a first plunger through the cannulated needle and a second plunger through the hollow tube wherein the retaining head is ejected from the cannulated needle such that the retaining head lies against the outer surface of the body tissue and the anchor passes through the tear to a desired location within the body tissue intermediate the tear and the outer surface of the body tissue, the anchor directly engaging the body tissue upon deployment from the blunt end of the hollow tube, wherein the flexible member advances through respective slots formed along the cannulated needle and hollow tube during the concurrent advancement. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification