Tissue fastener and methods for using same

• US 9,962,162 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2015
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US14/713,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20150245837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/085 with adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1146 of tendons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/086 having flexible threads, filaments, laces or wires, e.g. parallel threads, extending laterally from a strip, e.g. for tying to opposing threads extending from a similar strip

Abstract

In one embodiment, a hook fastener has a plurality of hooks and a loop fastener has a plurality of loops to secure tissues sections to one another. At least one of these fasteners has a porous surface to allow tissue ingrowth to secure the fastener to the tissue. In another embodiment, only a single fastener is used, with a section of tissue being treated to engage and mate with the fastener. The disclosed tissue fastening systems can be used for a number of applications. One such example includes fastening tissue sections by wrapping a tissue fastener around the tissue and securing the fastener on itself. A suture may also be secured with the tissue fastener.

Claims

1. A method of coupling first and second tissue sections, including the steps of:

roughening a portion of a surface of at least one of the first and second tissue sections;

bringing the first and second tissue sections into relative proximity;

wrapping the proximate portions of the first and second tissue portions with a fastener including an elongate band substantially comprised of biodegradable material, the band having (a) pores, (b) a plurality of loops disposed upon a first side, and (c) a plurality of hooks extending from a second side, the hooks engageable with the plurality of loops;

overlapping a portion of the elongate band causing loops and hooks to become engaged, securing the elongate band in wrapped conformity with the first and second tissue sections, thereby causing the tissue sections to remain in relative proximity,

whereby roughening the portion of the surface of at least one of the first and second tissue sections enables the surface to be engageable by the hooks of the elongate band, and

whereby tissue ingrowth through the pores is enabled and the tissue sections may grow together, whereafter the elongate band may biodegrade.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second tissue sections are tubular vessels, and wherein in said bringing step, the ends of the vessels are brought into relative proximity.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of providing at least one hole in the band for further securing the band to the body.

4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of using a biocompatible glue to further secure the elongated band and tissue sections.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein in said step of wrapping, either the plurality of loops or plurality of hooks is provided only at an end portion of the elongate band.

6. A method of securing at least two sections of body tissue together, including the steps of:

roughening an area of a first section of body tissue with a tool to create a broken tissue surface;

positioning the roughened first section of body tissue with respect to a second section of body tissue;

connecting a fastener having a plurality of hooks or loops on at least a portion of one side thereof to the second section of body tissue;

pressing a portion of the fastener having the plurality of hooks or loops over an area of roughened tissue to thereby engage the hooks or loops with the broken tissue surface.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein in said connecting step, the fastener further includes a plurality of pores to promote tissue ingrowth.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein in said connecting step, the broken surface forms projections and elements on the first section of body tissue which engage loops of the fastener.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein in said connecting step, the fastener is connected to said second section of body tissue with a member selected from the group consisting of:

glue, fibrin glue, suture, staple, rivet, mechanical fastener.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein in said connecting step, the fastener is fabricated with a biodegradable material.

11. A method of connecting first and second tissue sections, including the steps of:

roughening an area of the first and second sections of body tissue with a tool to create

broken tissue surfaces;

bringing the first and second tissue sections into relative proximity;

wrapping the proximate portions of the first and second tissue portions with a fastener including an elongate band substantially comprised of biodegradable material, the band having a plurality of hooks disposed upon a tissue contacting side;

engaging roughened tissue with the hooks, thereby securing the elongate band in wrapped conformity with the first and second tissue sections, thereby causing the tissue sections to remain in relative proximity, whereafter the first and second tissue sections are configured to grow together, and the elongate band is configured to biodegrade.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein in said step of wrapping, the fastener includes a plurality of pores to promote tissue ingrowth.