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US 7,343,920 B2Granted
Connective tissue repair system
OwnerE. Bruce Toby, Randall J. Huebnerinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, including apparatus and methods, for repairing injured connective tissue. These systems may include, among others, a surgical stapler and staples for repairing partially or completely severed tendons and/or ligaments.
Claims27
A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
- positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted;
- applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of;
- and
- removing the band of from the anvil,
- wherein the step of applying the at least one staple to the injured band of includes (1) a step of driving tips of the staple through the band of, and (2) a step of deflecting the tips of the staple against the anvil after they emerge from the band of.
2 more elements
A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
- positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted;
- applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of;
- and
- removing the band of from the anvil,
- wherein the step of applying includes a step of actuating a trigger that advances the staple, and wherein a connective tissue clamp is operatively connected to the trigger such that the step of actuating clamps the band of between the anvil and the connective tissue clamp.
2 more elements
A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
- positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted;
- applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of;
- and
- removing the band of from the anvil,
- wherein the at least one staple has ends, and wherein the step of applying includes a step of penetrating through the injured band of with the ends of the at least one staple, further comprising a step of directing an end of the at least one staple back into the injured band of after the step of penetrating.
2 more elements
A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
- positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted;
- applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of;
- and
- removing the band of from the anvil,
- wherein the at least one staple has ends, and wherein the step of applying includes a step of penetrating through the injured band of with the ends of the at least one staple, further comprising a step of directing an end of the at least one staple around the exterior of the injured band of after the step of penetrating.
2 more elements
A method of repairing an injured band of tendon and/or ligament, comprising:
- positioning first and second ends of an injured band of tendon and/or ligament against an anvil of a surgical stapler, such that the ends are aligned and abutted;
- applying at least one staple to the injured band of so that the staple engages both the first end and the second end of the injured band of;
- and
- removing the band of from the anvil.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.