Device for producing an anchorage in human or animal tissue

A device for producing an anchorage in a load-bearing tissue with the aid of mechanical vibration and a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by the mechanical vibration, the device comprising:

• a vibrating element with a distal end and a proximal end, the vibrating element being capable of transmitting vibration from its proximal end to its distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a first contact face facing away from the proximal end,
• a counter element with a contact end and an opposite end, wherein the contact end comprises a second contact face being adapted to the first contact face to be able to be positioned against the first contact face,
• wherein the liquefiable thermoplastic material is located on at least one of the first contact face and of the second contact face,
• wherein the one of the vibrating element and of the counter element comprises a foot piece of a material not liquefiable by the mechanical vibration,
• wherein the foot piece constitutes a distal end of the device,
• and wherein the foot piece comprises at least one of a distal tip, and of a retention structure,
• wherein the vibrating element comprises a first axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end and the first contact face extending around the first axis and non-parallel thereto, wherein the counter element comprises a second axis extending between the contact end and the opposite end, and the second contact face extending around the second axis and non-parallel thereto;
• wherein the vibrating element and the counter element are configured to be positioned relative to said tissue, while opposite holding forces are applied, the holding forces directed parallel to the first and second axes or at a non-rectangular angle thereto for holding the vibrating element and the counter element against each other with first and second contact faces in contact with each other, such that a tissue surface extends across outer edges of the contact faces,
• and wherein the vibrating element and the counter element are further configured for the vibrating element to be vibrated while the holding forces are applied, for thereby liquefying the liquefiable thermoplastic material between the contact faces, and for maintaining the vibration and the holding forces and thereby moving the elements against each other and letting the liquefied material flow out from between the contact faces for a period of time sufficient for the liquefied material to contact the tissue surface and, on re-solidification, to form a positive fit connection between at least one of the elements and said tissue surface.

A device for producing an anchorage in a load-bearing tissue with the aid of mechanical vibration and a thermoplastic material which is liquefiable by the mechanical vibration, the device comprising:

• a vibrating element with a distal end and a proximal end, the vibrating element being capable of transmitting vibration from its proximal end to its distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a first contact face facing away from the proximal end,
• a counter element with a contact end and an opposite end, wherein the contact end comprises a second contact face being adapted to the first contact face to be able to be positioned against the first contact face,
• wherein the liquefiable thermoplastic material is located on at least one of the first contact face and of the second contact face,
• wherein the one of the vibrating element and of the counter element comprises a foot piece of a material not liquefiable by the mechanical vibration,
• wherein the foot piece constitutes a distal end of the device,
• wherein the thermoplastic material comprises at least one lateral outer energy director,
• wherein the vibrating element comprises a first axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end and the first contact face extending around the first axis and non-parallel thereto, wherein the counter element comprises a second axis extending between the contact end and the opposite end, and the second contact face extending around the second axis and non-parallel thereto;
• wherein the vibrating element and the counter element are configured to be positioned relative to said tissue, while opposite holding forces are applied, the holding forces directed parallel to the first and second axes or at a non-rectangular angle thereto for holding the vibrating element and the counter element against each other with first and second contact faces in contact with each other, such that a tissue surface extends across outer edges of the contact faces,
• and wherein the vibrating element and the counter element are further configured for the vibrating element to be vibrated while the holding forces are applied, for thereby liquefying the liquefiable thermoplastic material between the contact faces, and for maintaining the vibration and the holding forces and thereby moving the elements against each other and letting the liquefied material flow out from between the contact faces for a period of time sufficient for the liquefied material to contact the tissue surface and, on re-solidification, to form a positive fit connection between at least one of the elements and said tissue surface.