Tissue repair devices and methods

A method of supporting tissue, the method comprising:

• obtaining a tissue repair device comprising a coil formed by an elongate coil member of biocompatible material having a first end and a second end and configured in a spiral pattern to form a series of interconnected turns and to define a lumen through the coil member being open at both ends to receive, encircle, and engage target elongate tissue to be treated;
• accessing within a body the target elongate tissue;
• and
• positioning the tissue repair device with the coil around the target elongate tissue, with the target elongate tissue disposed through the lumen with an inner surface of the series of interconnected turns engaging the target elongate tissue.

A method of connecting tissue, the method comprising:

• obtaining a tissue repair device comprising a coil formed by an elongate coil member of biocompatible material having a first end and a second end and configured in a spiral pattern to form a series of interconnected turns and to define a lumen through the coil member being open at both ends to receive, encircle, and engage target elongate tissue to be treated;
• accessing within a body the target elongate tissue;
• drawing together a first free end and a second free end of the target elongate tissue to be connected;
• and
• positioning the tissue repair device with the coil around the target elongate tissue with the target elongate tissue, including the first and second free ends to be connected, disposed within the lumen with an inner surface of the series of interconnected turns engaging the target elongate tissue and maintaining the first free end and the second free end of the target elongate tissue in close proximity.

A method of supporting a damaged tendon, comprising:

• obtaining a tissue repair device comprising a coil formed by an elongate coil member of biocompatible material having a first end and a second end and configured in a spiral pattern to form a series of interconnected turns and to define a lumen through the coil member being open at both ends to receive, encircle, and engage a damaged tendon to be supported;
• accessing within a body the damaged tendon to be supported;
• and
• positioning the tissue repair device with the coil around the damaged tendon by:
• engaging a first interconnected turn of the series of interconnected turns of the coil member of the tissue repair device around the damaged tendon;
• and
• twisting the coil member of the tissue repair device onto the damaged tendon to incrementally engage each interconnected turn of the series of interconnected turns of the coil member of the tissue repair device around the damaged tendon to position the damaged tendon through the lumen with an inner surface of the series of interconnected turns engaging the damaged tendon.