Claims
- 1. Apparatus for repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament; a first helical anchor configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament; and at least one retaining member coupled with said elongate tensile member and operable to hold said helical anchor to said fibers extending within the interior of said tendon or ligament.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a second helical anchor; and at least one second retaining member coupled with said elongate tensile member and operable to hold said second helical anchor to said tendon or ligament fibers, wherein said first and second helical members are adapted to be inserted into said tendon or ligament on opposite sides of an injured portion thereof and, together with said elongate tensile member, further adapted to hold said injured portion in a desired repair position.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second helical anchors is couplable for movement along said elongate tensile member.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first helical anchor is couplable for movement along said elongate tensile member.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first helical anchor and said retaining member are connected for movement along said elongate tensile member and adapted to be fixed at a desired position.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first helical anchor further comprises a helically wound wire.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising retaining structure associated with said retaining member for gripping said fibers against said first helical anchor.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said retaining member is configured to be received within said first helical anchor for holding said fibers between said retaining member and said first helical anchor.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said retaining member includes at least one deformable portion adapted to be locked onto said elongate tensile member.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said retaining member includes a slot to allow coupling of said retaining member onto said elongate tensile member.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a slidably adjustable locking member for holding said retaining member to said elongate tensile member.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said locking member is integral with said retaining member.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said locking member is separable from said retaining member.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said locking member is a crimp member.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said locking member and said retaining member are each configured to slide independently along said elongate tensile member.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said exterior surface of said retaining member is a discontinuous surface adapted to aid in holding said fibers between said retaining member and said first helical anchor.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said discontinuous surface further comprises a serrated edge.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said discontinuous surface further comprises threads.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said elongate tensile member and said retaining member include respective engageable portions for holding said retaining member at a desired position along said elongate tensile member.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate tensile member further comprises a flexible suture.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate tensile member further comprises a rigid member.
- 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said elongate tensile member, said first helical anchor and said retaining member is comprised of an absorbable material.
- 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said retaining member further comprises a helical structure.
- 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein one of said first helical anchor and said retaining member is sized to be received by the other of said first helical anchor and said retaining member to form inner and outer helical members.
- 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one of said first helical anchor and said retaining member is movable toward the other to retain said tendon or ligament fibers therebetween.
- 26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said outer helical member is collapsible toward said inner helical member to retain said tendon or ligament fibers therebetween.
- 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said retaining member is a solid member with an outer surface and said helical anchor is collapsible onto said outer surface.
- 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said outer surface is a discontinuous surface adapted to trap said fibers against said helical anchor.
- 29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first helical anchor is formed from a flexible suture material and said retaining member is adapted to be inserted into said tendon or ligament with said flexible suture material disposed generally helically about said retaining member and said tendon or ligament fibers held therebetween.
- 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said elongate tensile member is formed from a flexible suture material.
- 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said flexible suture material forming said elongate tensile member is of greater tensile strength than said flexible suture material forming said helical anchor.
- 32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said helical anchor has a diameter, a leading end and a trailing end, and said diameter varies between said leading and trailing ends.
- 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said diameter reduces in size in a direction from said leading end to said trailing end.
- 34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said diameter increases in size in a direction from said leading end to said trailing end.
- 35. An apparatus for repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof, the apparatus comprising:
first and second helical anchors integrally formed a wire with an elongate tensile member therebetween, said anchors being helically wound in opposite directions; and wherein said first and second helical members are adapted to be inserted into said tendon or ligament on opposite sides of an injured portion thereof and, together with said elongate tensile member, further adapted to hold said injured portion in a desired repair position.
- 36. Apparatus for repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament; and a first helically coiled, compressible anchor configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament, said anchor being couplable with said elongate tensile member and being compressible during use to trap the fibers of said tendon or ligament therein.
- 37. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising:
a second helically coiled, compressible anchor configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament and couplable to said elongate tensile member; wherein said first and second helically coiled, compressible anchors are adapted to be inserted into said tendon or ligament on opposite sides of an injured portion thereof and, together with at least said elongate tensile member, further adapted to hold said injured portion in a desired repair position.
- 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein at least one of said first and second helically coiled, compressible anchors is coupled for movement along said elongate tensile member.
- 39. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a slidable locking member coupled with said elongate tensile member and adapted to hold said first helically coiled, compressible anchor at a desired location on said elongate tensile member.
- 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said slidable locking member is integral with said helically coiled, compressible anchor.
- 41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said slidable locking member is separable from said first helically coiled, compressible anchor.
- 42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said slidable locking member is a crimp.
- 43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said first helically coiled, compressible anchor includes a length and further includes a diameter that varies along said length.
- 44. Apparatus for affixing a tendon or ligament to a bone, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament; a helical anchor receiving said elongate tensile member and configured to be placed within the tendon or ligament; and a bone anchor coupled with said elongate tensile member for allowing attachment of said tendon or ligament to said bone.
- 45. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising:
a retaining member adapted to be retained at a selected position along said elongate tensile member to hold said bone anchor, said elongate tensile member and said helical anchor together with said tendon or ligament against said bone.
- 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said retaining member and said bone anchor include cooperating locking portions for connecting said retaining member and said bone anchor together with said helical anchor held generally there between.
- 47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said retaining member is sized and configured to be received at least partially within said helical anchor.
- 48. The apparatus of claim 47 further comprising a slidable locking member coupled with said elongate tensile member and adapted to hold said retaining member at a desired location along said elongate tensile member.
- 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said slidable locking member is separable from said retaining member.
- 50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said slidable locking member is formed integrally with said retaining member.
- 51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said slidable locking member is a crimp member.
- 52. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said helical anchor is compressible.
- 53. Apparatus for repairing a tear in a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament; a first helical anchor configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament; a first retaining member coupled with said elongate tensile member and configured to be at least partially received within said first helical anchor to hold a portion of the fibers to said first helical anchor; a second helical anchor configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament; and a second retaining member coupled with said elongate tensile member and configured to be at least partially received within said second helical anchor to hold a portion of the fibers to said second helical anchor.
- 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said first and second retaining members each include at least one deformable portion adapted to be locked onto said elongate tensile member.
- 55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said first and second retaining members each include a slot to allow the respective deformable portions to be locked onto said elongate tensile member.
- 56. The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising first and second slidable locking members for respectively holding said first and second retaining members to said elongate tensile member.
- 57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said slidable locking members further comprise crimp members integrally formed on said first and second retaining members.
- 58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said slidable locking members are crimp members formed separately from said retaining member, each being configured to slide independently along said elongate tensile member.
- 59. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said first and second retaining members each have discontinuous outer surfaces for holding said fibers respectively between said first and second retaining members and said first and second helical anchors.
- 60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said discontinuous surfaces further comprise serrated edges.
- 61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said discontinuous surfaces further comprise threads.
- 62. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said elongate tensile member and said first and second retaining members include respective engageable portions for holding said retaining members at desired positions along said elongate tensile member.
- 63. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said elongate tensile member further comprises a flexible suture.
- 64. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein at least one of said elongate tensile member, said first helical anchor, said second helical anchor, said first retaining member, and said second retaining member further comprise an absorbable material.
- 65. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said first and second helical anchors have respective diameters and include respective leading and trailing ends, and said diameters each vary between said leading and trailing ends.
- 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein s aid diameters each reduce in size in a direction from said t railing ends toward said leading ends.
- 67. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein each of said first and second helical anchors is formed from wire.
- 68. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising a drive portion at a trailing end of each helical anchor for engaging a tool used to rotate the respective helical anchor into the tendon or ligament.
- 69. The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising a tool engageable with at least one of said first and second helical anchors for rotating said at least one helical anchor into the tendon or ligament.
- 70. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said first helical anchor is connected for movement along said elongate tensile member and further comprising locking structure operable to lock said first helical anchor at a desired position along said elongate tensile member.
- 71. Apparatus for repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member having a length adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament; and a first anchor structure coupled for movement along the length of said elongate tensile member and lockable at a desired location along said length, said first anchor structure having first and second fiber gripping portions configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament, at least one of said fiber gripping portions being movable relative to the other to grip said fibers therebetween.
- 72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said first fiber gripping portion is a helical anchor and said second fiber gripping portion is a retaining member coupled for movement along said elongate tensile member and configured to be at least partially received within said helical anchor.
- 73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein said retaining member includes structure configured to engage said helical anchor to prevent said retaining member from backing out of said helical anchor after implantation.
- 74. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein said retaining member is a one-piece slotted collet member configured to clamp onto said elongate tensile member upon insertion into said helical anchor.
- 75. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein said retaining member is a two-piece slotted collet structure with an interior piece and an exterior piece, whereby upon insertion of said exterior piece into said helical anchor and said interior piece into said exterior piece, said interior piece is configured to clamp onto said elongate tensile member and said exterior piece is configured to expand within said helical anchor to trap said fibers against said helical anchor.
- 76. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said anchor structure further comprises at least one crimp member and said one of said fiber gripping portions further comprises a first deformable portion adapted to be crimped within said tendon or ligament to grip said fibers.
- 77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said crimp member further comprises a second deformable portion configured to be crimped onto said elongate tensile member to retain said crimp member at a desired location thereon.
- 78. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said anchor structure further comprises first and second crimp members adapted to be crimped onto said fibers on opposite sides of said elongate tensile member.
- 79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein said first and second crimp members each include a respective plurality of deformable legs configured to interlock after crimping and thereby hold said first and second crimp members to said fibers.
- 80. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein said first and second crimp members further include respective crimp portions configured to be crimped onto said elongate tensile member to retain said first and second crimp members at a desired location thereon.
- 81. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said anchor structure comprises a compressible helical anchor having coils defining said first and second fiber gripping portions.
- 82. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said first anchor structure further comprises inner and outer helical member s wi th said inner helical member sized and configured to be positioned within said outer helical member.
- 83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein said inner helical member is expandable within said outer helical member to retain said tendon or ligament fibers therebetween.
- 84. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein said outer helical member is collapsible toward said inner helical member to retain said tendon or ligament fibers therebetween.
- 85. The apparatus of claim 71 further comprising:
a second anchor structure coupled for movement along the length of said elongate tensile and adapted to be located on an opposite side of a repair site from said first anchor structure, said second anchor structure being lockable on said elongate tensile member.
- 86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein said second anchor structure further comprises first and second fiber gripping portions configured for insertion with said tendon or ligament with at least one of said fiber gripping portions being movable relative to the other to grip said fibers therebetween.
- 87. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said first anchor structure further comprises an inner retaining member and an outer helical member with said inner retaining member sized and configured to be positioned within said outer helical member and said outer helical member is collapsible toward said inner retaining member to retain said tendon or ligament fibers therebetween.
- 88. A tendon or ligament retrieval device operative to move a tendon or ligament end to a desired operating position, the device comprising:
an elongate body; a helical member coupled with said elongate body and mounted for rotational and translational movement relative to said elongate body; at least one drive mechanism coupled with said helical member for effecting rotational movement of said helical member into said tendon or ligament and subsequent translational movement of said helical member to move said tendon or ligament end to the desired operating position.
- 89. The device of claim 88, wherein said elongate body includes a distal tip and further comprising:
anti-rotation structure on said distal tip for engaging said tendon or ligament end and preventing rotation thereof as said helical member rotates into said tendon or ligament end.
- 90. The device of claim 88, wherein said elongate body is a hollow, flexible body.
- 91. The device of claim 88, wherein said helical member further includes first and second, counter-rotating helical grasping bodies each being connected for rotation and translation by said drive mechanism.
- 92. A method of repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof and having a tear, the method comprising:
installing an elongate tensile member within said tendon or ligament; driving a first helical anchor into said tendon or ligament; securing said first helical anchor to said elongate tensile member; driving a second helical anchor into said tendon or ligament; moving the tendon or ligament to a repair position at said tear; and securing the second helical anchor to said elongate tensile member.
- 93. The method of claim 92, wherein the steps of securing said first and second helical anchors further comprise gripping the fibers between said first and second helical anchors and a pair of respective first and second retaining members.
- 94. The method of claim 92, wherein adjusting the tendon or ligament further comprises:
moving said elongate tensile member with respect to at least one of said first and second helical anchors and thereby approximating the tendon or ligament to said repair position.
- 95. The method of claim 92, wherein said tendon includes a sheath and the method further comprises forming at least two spaced apart incisions in said sheath to access said tendon during said securing and adjusting steps.
- 96. A method of repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof and having a tear, the method comprising:
inserting an elongate tensile member into said tendon or ligament and extending across said tear; rotating a first helical anchor around said elongate tensile member and into the interior of said tendon or ligament on a first side of said tear; locking said first helical anchor to said elongate tensile member and said fibers; rotating a second helical anchor around said elongate tensile member and into the interior of said tendon or ligament on a second side of said tear; adjusting the distance between the first and second helical anchors along said elongate tensile member to bring the first and second sides together to a repair position generally at said tear; and locking said second helical anchor to said elongate tensile member and said fibers after reaching said repair position.
- 97. The method of claim 96, wherein locking the first and second helical anchors to the fibers further comprises collapsing the first and second helical anchors toward respective first and second retaining members using magnetic force.
- 98. Apparatus for repairing a tear in a tendon or ligament, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament from a first side of said tear to a second side of said tear; a first anchor body connected with said elongate tensile member, said first anchor body configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament; first securing structure operable to at least assist in holding said first anchor body within the interior of said tendon or ligament on the first side of said tear; a second anchor body connected for movement along said elongate tensile member, said second anchor body configured for insertion and retention within the interior of said tendon or ligament; second securing structure operable to at least assist in holding said second anchor body within the interior of said tendon or ligament on the second side of said tear; and locking structure operable to hold said second anchor body at a desired distance from said first anchor body along said elongate tensile member.
- 99. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said first and second securing structure comprises projections extending respectively from said first and second anchor bodies generally in a radially outward direction with respect to said elongate tensile member.
- 100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein said first and second anchor bodies are tubular-shaped members.
- 101. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said first and second anchor bodies are tubular-shaped members.
- 102. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said first and second securing structures further comprise portions connected with said first and second anchor bodies, said portions receiving sutures used to secure said first and second anchor bodies within the interior of said tendon or ligament.
- 103. The apparatus of claim 98 further comprising a tool selectively engageable with at least one of said first and second anchor bodies for inserting said at least one anchor body within the tendon or ligament.
- 104. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein at least one of said first and second anchor bodies is swageable to said elongate tensile member.
- 105. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said first anchor body is connected for movement along said elongate tensile member and further comprising locking structure operable to lock said first anchor body at a desired position along said elongate tensile member.
- 106. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said first and second securing structures are integral parts of the respective first and second anchor bodies.
- 107. A method of repairing a tendon or ligament having a tear, the method comprising:
connecting a first anchor body to an elongate tensile member; securing said first anchor body within the interior of said tendon or ligament on a first side of said tear; connecting a second anchor body to said elongate tensile member; securing said second anchor body within the interior of said tendon or ligament on a second side of said tear; adjusting the distance between the first and second anchor bodies along said elongate tensile member to bring the first and second sides together at said tear; and holding the first and second sides together at said tear with at least said anchor bodies and said elongate tensile member.
- 108. The method of claim 107, wherein the steps of securing said first and second anchor bodies further comprise engaging said tendon or ligament with projections on said first and second anchor bodies.
- 109. The method of claim 108, wherein the steps of securing said first and second anchor bodies further comprise separately suturing said first and second anchor bodies within said tendon or ligament.
- 110. The method of claim 107, wherein the steps of securing said first and second anchor bodies further comprise separately suturing said first and second anchor bodies within said tendon or ligament.
- 111. The method of claim 107, wherein adjusting the distance between the first and second anchor bodies further comprises sliding one of said first and second anchor bodies along said elongate tensile member while pulling the first and second sides together with said elongate tensile member under tension.
- 112. The method of claim 107, wherein at least two spaced apart incisions are made to access said tendon or ligament during said securing and adjusting steps.
- 113. The method of claim 107 further comprising:
swaging said first and second anchor bodies to said elongate tensile member at the adjusted distance.
- 114. A method of repairing a tendon or ligament having a tear, the method comprising:
inserting a first anchor body and an elongate tensile member connected therewith through the interior of said tendon or ligament and across said tear; securing said first anchor body within said tendon or ligament; connecting a second anchor body to said elongate tensile member; inserting said second anchor body within said tendon or ligament on an opposite side of said tear from said first anchor body while allowing movement of said second anchor body along said elongate tensile member; pulling the tendon or ligament together by tensioning the elongate tensile member between said first and second anchor bodies; and fixing said second anchor body on said elongate tensile member at a location which holds the elongate tensile member in tension and holds the tendon or ligament together at said tear.
- 115. A method of repairing a tendon or ligament having a tear, the method comprising:
connecting a first anchor body to an elongate tensile member; securing said first anchor body within the interior of said tendon or ligament on a first side of said tear; securing a second anchor body within the interior of said tendon or ligament on a second side of said tear; tensioning the elongate tensile member to adjust the distance between the first and second anchor bodies and bring the first and second sides together at said tear; and holding the first and second sides together at said tear with at least said anchor bodies and said elongate tensile member.
- 116. Apparatus for repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate tensile member adapted to extend within the interior of said tendon or ligament; a first anchor configured for insertion within the interior of said tendon or ligament; and a first retaining member coupled with said first anchor and configured therewith to allow simultaneous driving of said first anchor and said first retaining member into the interior of said tendon or ligament with the fibers of the tendon or ligament held generally between said first anchor and said first retaining member.
- 117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein said first anchor further comprises a helical coil.
- 118. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein said helical coil includes a distal end and said first retaining member includes a distal end, and said distal end of said helical coil extends distally beyond said distal end of said first retaining member.
- 119. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein said first retaining member includes a distal end portion and an outer surface, and a space is formed between said helical coil and said outer surface at least at said distal end portion, said space receiving and retaining the fibers between said helical coil and said first retaining member.
- 120. The apparatus of claim 119, wherein said helical coil is radially expandable and compressible such that as the fibers are directed into said space during insertion said coil expands to receive the fibers and compresses to hold the fibers against said first retaining member.
- 121. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein said helical coil includes a pointed distal end to aid in insertion thereof in said tendon or ligament.
- 122. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein said helical coil includes a proximal end secured to a proximal end portion of said first retaining member.
- 123. The apparatus of claim 122, wherein said proximal end portion of said first retaining member includes a slot, and said proximal end of said helical coil is secured in said slot.
- 124. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein said helical coil and said first retaining member include low friction, polished outer surfaces.
- 125. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein said first retaining member further includes a proximal end portion with tool engagement structure operative to engage a tool configured to simultaneously insert said first anchor and said first retaining member in said tendon or ligament.
- 126. The apparatus of claim 116 further comprising:
a second anchor; and a second retaining member coupled with said second anchor and configured therewith to allow simultaneous driving of said second anchor and said second retaining member into the interior of said tendon or ligament with the fibers of the tendon or ligament held generally between said second anchor and said second retaining member. wherein said first anchor and first retaining member and said second anchor and second retaining member are respectively adapted to be inserted into said tendon or ligament on opposite sides of an injured portion thereof and, together with said elongate tensile member, further adapted to hold said injured portion in a desired repair position.
- 127. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein said first anchor and said first retaining member are couplable for movement along said elongate tensile member.
- 128. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein said first retaining member includes a proximal end portion and a bore for receiving said elongate tensile member further includes a needle secured at one end thereof and a stop member secured at an opposite end thereof, said needle being configured to extend through said bore and said stop member being configured to stop against said proximal portion of said first retaining member.
- 129. The apparatus of claim 116 further comprising a tool configured to hold said first anchor and said first retaining member and further configured to allow simultaneous rotation and translation of said first anchor and said first retaining member into said tendon or ligament by a user.
- 130. A fixation device for repairing a tendon or ligament, comprising:
a flexible, elongate tensile member having a first end and a second end; a needle affixed at said first end; a first stop member fixed at said second end; and first and second anchor members configured to be inserted and retained in the tendon or ligament and having respective bores for receiving said elongate tensile member.
- 131. The apparatus of claim 130 further comprising:
a second stop member capable of being locked onto said elongate tensile member.
- 132. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein said second stop member further comprises a crimp member.
- 133. An apparatus for repairing a tendon or ligament, comprising:
a tubular housing having an open distal end; a rotatable shaft carried within said tubular housing and having proximal and distal portions, a tendon or ligament anchor assembly having a central bore and a proximal end, said anchor assembly carried within said tubular housing, a needle-shaped member affixed at said distal end of said shaft and extending through said central bore of said anchor assembly; a drive member at said distal end of said shaft engaging said proximal end of said anchor assembly; a drive coupled to said second end and operative to rotate said shaft within said housing and thereby rotate said anchor assembly.
- 134. The apparatus of claim 133, wherein said shaft is flexible and said distal end of said tubular housing is curved to allow entry into said tendon or ligament.
- 135. The apparatus of claim 133, wherein said drive comprises a rotatable knob.
- 136. The apparatus of claim 133, wherein said drive comprises an actuator configured for one-handed operation by a surgeon.
- 137. A crimping tool comprising:
first and second jaws movable toward each other, said first jaw including a recess with a ridge in said recess for holding a crimp member having a complementary groove for receiving said projection, said second jaw having a projection for bearing against and collapsing the crimp member; and first and second handles respectively connected to said first and second jaws for moving said jaws together against the crimp member to collapse the crimp member.
- 138. The crimping tool of claim 137, further comprising:
at least one bar extending between said handles and configured to allow movement of said handles together upon application of a predetermined force.
- 139. A method of repairing a tendon or ligament comprised of fibers extending in a lengthwise direction thereof and having first and second segments, the method comprising:
driving a first anchor into the first segment of the tendon or ligament; driving a second anchor into the second segment of the tendon or ligament; threading an elongate tensile member through the first and second anchors; moving the first and second segments to a repair position; and securing the first and second anchors at a desired distance relative to each other along said elongate tensile member.
- 140. The method of claim 139, wherein the steps of driving said first and second anchors further comprise gripping the fibers between said first and second anchors and a pair of respective first and second retaining members.
- 141. The method of claim 139, wherein adjusting the tendon or ligament further comprises:
moving said elongate tensile member with respect to at least one of said first and second anchors and thereby approximating the tendon or ligament to said repair position.
- 142. The method of claim 139, wherein the step of threading the elongate tensile member further comprises:
capturing the elongate tensile member in a space between the first and second segments, and pulling the captured elongate tensile member through the second anchor.
- 143. The method of claim 139, wherein the elongate tensile member further includes a needle at one end and a stop member at an opposite end and the step of threading the elongate tensile member further comprises:
inserting the needle through the first anchor and the second anchor until the stop member engages and stops against the first anchor.
- 144. The method of claim 143, wherein the step of securing the first and second anchors at a fixed distance further comprises:
applying a crimp member to the elongate tensile member at the proximal end of the second anchor.
- 145. A retrieval tool for removing an anchor having a central bore, a proximal end with tool engagement structure and a distal end for insertion into a tendon or ligament, the retrieval tool comprising:
a handle portion; a shaft coupled to said handle portion; a tool driver portion coupled to said shaft and configured to engage said tool engagement structure on the anchor to enable rotation of the anchor by rotation of said shaft; and a needle-shaped member extending from said tool driver portion and configured to be received in the bore of the anchor.
Parent Case Info
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of PCT Ser. No. PCT/US99/24098 filed on Oct. 18, 1999, now pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/928,866, filed on Sep. 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,244, which is based on provisional patent application Serial No. 60/026,101, filed Sep. 13, 1996, now abandoned, and provisional patent application Serial No. 60/043,086, filed on Apr. 8, 1997, now abandoned. The disclosures of each of these prior related applications are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60026101 |
Sep 1996 |
US |
|
60043086 |
Apr 1997 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCT/US99/24098 |
Oct 1999 |
US |
Child |
09969947 |
Oct 2001 |
US |
Parent |
08928866 |
Sep 1997 |
US |
Child |
PCT/US99/24098 |
Oct 1999 |
US |