Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone
First Claim
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1. A method of surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue comprising:
- forming a first aperture in a first soft tissue;
forming a second aperture in a second soft tissue;
passing an end of a suture through passages defined by first and second collapsible tubes;
positioning the first collapsible tube through the first aperture;
positioning the second collapsible tube through the second aperture, wherein first and second ends of the respective first and second collapsible tubes are passed through the respective first and second apertures; and
applying a tensile load to a portion of the suture to compress the first and second collapsible tubes to form a pair of anchoring masses about an outer surface of the respective first and second soft tissue, the anchoring masses having locking profiles and pulling the first and second soft tissue together at the location of the tear, the locking profiles operative to prevent the anchoring masses from being drawn into the apertures upon applying the tensile load.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue is disclosed. A plurality of collapsible tubes are positioned about the suture. The collapsible tubes are pushed through soft tissue and orthopedic mesh on opposite sides of a tear in soft tissue. When tension is applied to the suture, the tubes are compressed to fix the suture to the soft tissue and draw the soft tissue portions together.
1700 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue comprising:
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forming a first aperture in a first soft tissue; forming a second aperture in a second soft tissue; passing an end of a suture through passages defined by first and second collapsible tubes; positioning the first collapsible tube through the first aperture; positioning the second collapsible tube through the second aperture, wherein first and second ends of the respective first and second collapsible tubes are passed through the respective first and second apertures; and applying a tensile load to a portion of the suture to compress the first and second collapsible tubes to form a pair of anchoring masses about an outer surface of the respective first and second soft tissue, the anchoring masses having locking profiles and pulling the first and second soft tissue together at the location of the tear, the locking profiles operative to prevent the anchoring masses from being drawn into the apertures upon applying the tensile load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of surgically repairing a tear between first and second soft tissues in a rotator cuff comprising:
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passing a suture having at least first and second collapsible tubes threaded therethrough relative to the tear between the first and second soft tissue such that the first collapsible tube is passed through a first passage formed in the first soft tissue and the second collapsible tube is passed through a second passage formed in the second soft tissue, wherein first and second ends of the respective first and second collapsible tubes are passed through the respective first and second passages; positioning an orthopedic mesh relative to the tear and an outer surface of the first and second tissue; connecting the first collapsible tube to a first portion of the orthopedic mesh; connecting the second collapsible tube to a second portion of the orthopedic mesh; applying tension to a portion of the first suture so as to collapse the first and second collapsible tubes into respective first and second anchoring masses such that the collapsible tubes in the form of the anchoring masses are prevented from being drawn into the respective passages; coupling the first and second anchoring masses to a patient. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of surgically repairing a rotator cuff comprising:
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forming a first tunnel in a first portion of soft tissue on a first side of a soft tissue tear; forming a second tunnel in a second portion of soft tissue on a second side of the soft tissue tear; positioning a suture having first and second collapsible tubes threaded therethrough relative to the soft tissue tear, the first and second collapsible tubes having a first profile which allows insertion of the first collapsible tube into the first tunnel and a second profile different than the first profile which allows engagement with a first positive locking surface upon the collapsing of the first collapsible tube, and further allows insertion of the second collapsible tube into the second tunnel and a second profile which allows engagement with a positive locking surface upon the collapsing of the second collapsible tube; threading the first collapsible tube through the first tunnel such that first and second ends of the first collapsible tube are passed through the first tunnel; threading the second collapsible tube through the second tunnel such that first and second ends of the second collapsible tube are passed through the second tunnel; threading the first and second collapsible tubes through an orthopedic mesh; collapsing the first and second collapsible tubes from the first profile to the second profile; and drawing the first and second sides of the soft tissue tear together. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification