Soft tissue repair system

US8006700B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Gregory A. Demopulos · Mercer Island, US
• Scott Reed · Monroe, US
• Alan Bachman · Milford, US
• Frederick Karl · Wilsonville, US
• William J. Allen · Houston, US
• Leland Ray Adams · Ansonia, US
• G. Lawrence Thatcher · Chelmsford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 2, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 30, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/0647
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A medical fastener (18), preferably bioabsorbable, is used for repairing torn soft tissue, particularly meniscal tissue (16). The fastener (18) can have an enlarged head (22) at the proximate end to engage meniscal tissue (16) adjacent to a tear (14), and a pointed distal tip (21) at the other end to ease insertion of the fastener (18) into the meniscus (16). The shank (20) of the fastener (18) bridges across the tear (14). Opposite ends of the shank (20) are secured in the meniscal tissue (16) by a medical adhesive, preferably bioabsorbable, and preferably at locations remote from the tear (14) so as not to interfere with healing of the tear (14). The fastener (18) can have a blind bore (24) opening through the head (22) of the fastener (18) and extending through the shank (20) to a location close to the tip (21) and generally radial holes (26) communicating between the bore (24) and the exterior of the shank (20). The medical adhesive can be injected through the bore (24) for passage outward through the holes (26).