Devices and methods for stabilizing tissue and implants

• US 9,999,449 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAWSON, MATTHEW JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/205,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20140194989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,560 Days
• Field of Search: 606228-233, 623 1311- 1319
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7067 Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body

Abstract

An implant for repairing a joint between a first bone and a second bone includes a first section constructed of a substantially rigid material and a graft constructed of soft tissue having a first end and a second end. The first section has a first end surface configured for positioning against the first bone. The graft is configured for stabilizing the first section relative to the first bone. A first fastener is configured for mounting to the graft and the first section to anchor the graft to the first section. A second fastener is configured for mounting to the graft and the first bone to anchor the graft to the first bone.

Claims

1. A surgical method for ligament augmentation comprising:

securing a first fastener at least partially within a first bone of a joint adjacent a first end of a ligament of the joint, wherein the first end of the ligament is attached to the first bone of the joint before securing the first fastener, and wherein a reinforcement component comprised of a multifilament structure fabricated from polyethylene and polyester is attached directly to the first fastener to anchor the reinforcement component to the first bone; and

securing a second fastener at least partially within a second bone of a joint adjacent a second end of the ligament of the joint opposite the first end of the ligament, wherein the second end of the ligament is attached to the second bone of the joint before securing the second fastener, and wherein the reinforcement component is attached to the second fastener to anchor the reinforcement component to the second bone,

wherein the reinforcement component extends between the first and second ends of the ligament, and

wherein the reinforcement component is tensioned directly between the first and second fasteners.

2. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement component extends along the length of the ligament.

3. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement component comprises a suture.

4. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 3, wherein the reinforcement component comprises a plurality of sutures.

5. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of a foot.

6. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of a knee.

7. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of a shoulder.

8. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of a spine.

9. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of a hand.

10. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of a hip.

11. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second bones and the joint are part of an elbow.

12. The surgical method for ligament augmentation set forth in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement component is configured to prevent dislocation of the joint.