Method of securing tissue
AssigneeP Tech, LLC
InventorPeter M. Bonutti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retainer member formed of bone secures tissue relative to a bone. The retainer member forms an opening in a compact outer layer of the bone. The retainer member is enclosed in a tubular member or sleeve to prevent breaking of the retainer member during formation of the opening in the bone. The extent of movement of the retainer member into the hone in the patient's body is determined as the retainer member is moved into the bone. A suture may be connected with the retainer member and used to connect tissue with the bone. The retainer member may be positioned across a fracture in a bone to hold portions of the hone relative to each other. The retainer member may be used at a joint between end portions of bones to immobilize the joint and be released by breaking the retainer member.
Claims35
A method of resisting movement of tissue relative to a portion of a bone in a patient's body, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a tubular member through at least a portion of the tissue;
- wherein the tubular member is at least partially tubular;
- passing at least a portion of a retainer body through at least a portion of the tubular member through the tissue and into the portion of the bone by applying a force to the retainer;
- contacting the retainer with the tissue and bone, wherein the retainer body extends from the tissue into the bone to resist movement of the tissue relative to the bone.
A method of securing tissue against movement relative to a portion of a bone in a patient's body, said method comprising positioning a retainer comprising a retainer body in a supporting sleeve which engages the outer side surface of the retainer to support the retainer against transverse forces relative to the longitudinal axis of the retainer body;
- moving at least a portion of the retainer out of the supporting sleeve with an axially directed force into an initial opening formed by the retainer body, and into and disengaging the supporting sleeve from the tissue to be secured and the retainer after performing said act of moving at least a portion of the retainer into the portion of the bone in the patient's body;
- wherein the retainer body contacts the tissue and the bone;
- and wherein the retainer body extends from the tissue into the bone and secures the tissue to the bone to thereby resist movement of the tissue relative to the bone.
A method of securing tissue to resist movement relative to a portion of a bone in a patient's body, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a retainer comprising a body formed of bone within a supporting sleeve which slidably engages the outer side surface of the retainer to support the retainer against transverse forces relative to the longitudinal axis of the retainer;
- and applying an axially directed force to the retainer, thereby sliding at least a portion of the retainer through the supporting sleeve as the portion of the retainer body is moved into the portion of the bone in the patient's body without applying a twisting force, a portion of the retainer body extending from the bone into the tissue to be secured, and contacting the retainer body with the tissue and bone to be secured;
- wherein an axial compressive force along the longitudinal axis of the retainer may be applied without causing failure of the retainer due to transverse or twisting forces.
A method of connecting tissue to resist movement of the tissue relative to a portion of a bone in a patient's body, comprising:
- positioning a supporting sleeve proximate a portion of the tissue to be connected;
- applying an axially directed force to a retainer having a body, thereby pushing at least a portion of a retainer body into bone of the patient's body, forming an opening for passage of the retainer body in a cortical surface of the bone, at least a portion of the retainer body supported within the supporting sleeve, the supporting sleeve engaging the outer side surface of the retainer body to support the retainer body against transverse forces relative to the longitudinal axis of the retainer while the retainer is pushed;
- and wherein an axial compressive force along the longitudinal axis of the retainer may be applied without causing failure of the retainer due to transverse forces;
- and whereby a portion of the retainer body contacts the tissue and the bone, and a portion of the retainer body is disposed within the bone, thereby connecting the tissue to the bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.