Claims
- 1. A device for repairing a defect in a soft tissue, comprising:
a first anchor for engaging a first surface of the soft tissue on a first side of the defect, the first anchor having a locking mechanism; a second anchor for engaging against a second side of the soft tissue on a second side of the defect; and a suture adjustably connecting the second anchor to the first anchor, whereby tension on the suture pulls the second anchor toward the first anchor through a continuous range of distances, thereby pulling the first and second sides of the defect together to close the defect, and the locking mechanism locks the suture in place at any point along the suture.
- 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the soft tissue is a meniscus.
- 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first anchor is shaped to seat below the first surface of the meniscus, whereby proper seating of the device closes the defect without interfering with joint articulation.
- 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to grip and hold the suture.
- 5. The device of claim 2 wherein the second anchor has a hole, the first anchor is cannulated, and the suture connects the first anchor to the second anchor by passing through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a first direction, by passing through the second anchor hole, and by returning through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a second and opposite direction.
- 6. A device for repairing a defect in a soft tissue, comprising:
a first anchor for engaging a first surface of the soft tissue on a first side of the defect, the first anchor having a locking mechanism; a second anchor for engaging against a second surface of the soft tissue on a second side of the defect; and a suture adjustably connecting the second anchor to the first anchor; wherein the second anchor has a hole therethrough, the first anchor is cannulated, and the suture connects the first anchor to the outer wall anchor by passing through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a first direction, by passing through the second anchor hole, and by returning through the first anchor cannulation while traveling in a second and opposite direction and wherein tension on the suture pulls the second anchor toward the first anchor, thereby pulling the first and second sides of the defect together to close the defect, and the locking mechanism locks the suture in place.
- 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the soft tissue is a meniscus.
- 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the first anchor is shaped to seat below the first surface of the meniscus, whereby proper seating of the device closes the defect without interfering with joint articulation.
- 9. The device of claim 7 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to grip and hold the suture.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/186,805, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/883,691, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/474,416, filed Dec. 29, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,271, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/114,170, filed Dec. 30, 1998, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60114170 |
Dec 1998 |
US |
Divisions (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09883691 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Child |
10186805 |
Jul 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09474416 |
Dec 1999 |
US |
Child |
09883691 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10186805 |
Jul 2002 |
US |
Child |
10758372 |
Jan 2004 |
US |