# US 7,407,511 B2 · Methods and materials for connective tissue repair

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- Number: US 7,407,511 B2
- Document ID: US7407511B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/845,402
- Filed: 2004-05-13
- Published: 2005-11-17
- Granted: 2008-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2004-05-13
- Assignees: Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Cary P. Hagan; Rick P. Swaim; Kelly W. Schlachter; James J. Chao; Hungnan Lo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407511B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments}
- A61B 17/1146: {of tendons}
- A61F 2002/087: {Anchor integrated into tendons, e.g. bone blocks, integrated rings}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

This invention is generally directed to methods and materials for connective tissue repair. The invention is more specifically related to methods and materials for the repair of tendons and ligaments, especially in the hand. Methods and materials for rotator cuff repair are also disclosed. The use of extraoperatively obtained scaffolding matrices is promoted when reapproximating the connective tissue.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of rotator cuff repair, comprising the steps of:
accessing the proximal humerus;
accessing the scapula;
providing a scaffolding matrix having first and second ends and at least one bone block on an end thereof;
attaching said end of said scaffolding matrix having said bone block to said proximal humerus;
attaching said other end of said scaffolding matrix to said scapula.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said end of said scaffolding matrix having said at least one bone block has a plurality of separate bone blocks and said scaffolding matrix may be rolled up.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said steps of accessing are carried out arthroscopically.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said scaffolding matrix is configured as a sheet of scaffolding matrix.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein said sheet of scaffolding material has a rectangular configuration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein said sheet of scaffolding material has a tapered configuration.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one bone block comprises a bone material which has been processed so as to eliminate tissue typing and pathogenic disease issues.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one bone block has screw holes formed therethrough for use in attaching said bone block in the rotator cuff repair.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said scaffolding matrix has a main portion that splits into a plurality of fingers, each said finger having its own bone block consisting of one of said separate bone blocks.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising making a groove in said proximal humerus, and seating said at least one bone block within said groove.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one bone block is seated in said groove in said proximal humerus via a press fit.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one bone block is secured in said groove in said proximal humerus via at least one screw.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said scaffolding matrix spans a head of said proximal humerus and is attached to said scapula via k-wires.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a second bone block on said other end of said scaffolding matrix, and said second bone block attached to said scapula by K-wires.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said scaffolding matrix comprises an extra-operatively obtained scaffolding matrix.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said scaffolding matrix comprises a synthetic porous material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said scaffolding matrix comprises an organic scaffolding matrix.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein said scaffolding matrix comprises an acellular matrix.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein said scaffolding matrix does not produce an immune response upon implantation.