Method and apparatus for re-approximating tissue
OwnerThomas P. Branchinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are described for attaching tendons, ligaments, or other tissue to bone, which includes the use of adjustable head members positioned along filament members. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for mending breaks in tissue such as skin or meniscal layers tissue such as skin or meniscal layers skin by use of similar elements.
Claims15
A device for attaching an elongate, flexible filament member to a bone, said bone defining a pre-drilled bone hole therein, comprising:
- an elongate flexible filament and
- an anchor member defining an external surface configured to engage said pre-drilled bone hole and secure said anchor member relative to said hole, said anchor member also defining an internal bore to be substantially aligned with said hole and configured to accept a length of said filament member, said anchor member also defining an internal engagement means configured to engage said length of said flexible filament member within said anchor to discourage removal of said filament from said anchor when it is in place in said bone.
A device for attaching a first bone to a second bone, said first bone defining a pre-drilled bone hole therein, said device comprising:
- an elongate, flexible filament member,
- a first anchor member defining an external surface configured to engage said pre-drilled hole and secure said anchor member relative to said first bone, said anchor member also defining an internal bore to be substantially aligned with said pre-drilled hole and configured to accept a first end of said filament member, said anchor member also defining an engagement means configured to engage said flexible filament member within said first anchor have to discourage removal of said filament from said first anchor member when in place in said bone;
- and
- a second anchor member for attaching said second end of said filament member to said second bone.
A device for attaching tissue to bone, comprising:
- a filament member defining opposing first and second ends and including a first protruding portion, a first reduced portion having a cross-sectional area less than that of said protruding portion, said reduced portion located intermediate said first end and said first protruding portion, said filament also including a threadable portion capable of being threaded through said tissue, said threadable portion being intermediate said first end and said reduced portion;
- an anchor member located at said first end for attaching said first end of said filament member to said bone;
- and
- a head member movable relative to said filament and defining an internal hole extending therethrough for accepting said filament and also defining engagement means extending into said hole, said engagement means configured to engage said first portion to a greater extent than said first reduced portion,
- said engagement member engaging said protrusion and restricting movement of said head member toward said second end of said filament member and said head member likewise restricting movement of said tissue away from said bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.