Apparatus and methods for tendon or ligament repair
US6984241B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/0888
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor structures connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. The invention further provides tendon-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employing similar concepts. Tendon retrieval devices of the invention include helical members for rotating into a tendon end and subsequently moving the tendon to an appropriate operating position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.