US4976715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Repair tack for bodily tissue
Assignee: Linvatec Corp
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Filing: 1990-01-30
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Granted: 1990-12-11
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Expires: 2010-01-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator.
Inventors
- 👤 F. Barry Bays
- 👤 Arthur F. Trott
- 👤 Sam R. Marchand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B15/00; F16B15/06; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/064; B; B25; B25B; B25B13/00; B25B13/48; B25B13/50; B25B13/5091; A61B2017/00004; A61B2017/0646; A61B2017/0647
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A tack for holding together tissue to permit healing in vivo comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a substantially cylindrical bore extending longitudinally from said proximal end to said distal end to allow a needle to pass freely entirely through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetration in the tissue; and a plurality of barbs disposed along said shaft, said barbs including a distal barb tapering to terminate at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barbs in the tissue, entirely of said tack being made of a biodegradable material having a degradation time selected to be at least as long as the required healing time for the tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A tack for holding together tissue to permit healing in vivo comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a substantially cylindrical bore extending longitudinally from said proximal end to said distal end to allow a needle to pass freely entirely through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetration in the tissue; and a plurality of barbs disposed along said shaft, said barbs including a distal barb tapering to terminate at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barbs in the tissue, entirely of said tack being made of a biodegradable material having a degradation time selected to be at least as long as the required healing time for the tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein said distal barb has an axial length greater than the axial length of the other barbs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein said barbs have rear surfaces facing said proximal end and disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein said barbs each have a frusto-conical configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein said barbs each have a truncated pyramidal configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tack as recited in claim 5 wherein said barbs has a generally rectangular transverse cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said barbs has a generally rectangular transverse cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein the tack in its entirety is an integrally-molded plastic unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tack as recited in claim 1 wherein said barbs are formed of a continuous helical barb extending about said shaft over a portion of the length of said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tack for holding tissue to permit healing in vivo comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a bore extending longitudinally through said shaft from said proximal end to said distal end for allowing a needle to pass through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetrating the tissue; and a distal barb terminating at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barb in the tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tack for holding tissue to permit healing in vivo comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a bore extending longitudinally through said shaft from said proximal end to said distal end for allowing a needle to pass through said shaft to extend from said distal end for penetrating the tissue; and a distal barb terminating at a sharp circular edge at said distal end of said shaft, said sharp circular edge having a diameter substantially the same as said bore to facilitate penetration and imbedding of said barb in the tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tack as recited in claim 10 wherein the entirety of said tack is made of a biodegradable material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tack as recited in claim 11 and further comprising at least one additional barb disposed on said shaft between said distal barb and said proximal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tack as recited in claim 10 and further comprising at least one additional barb disposed on said shaft between said distal barb and said proximal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tack for insertion in the body to hold tissue for healing comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a bore extending longitudinally through said shaft from said proximal end to said distal end, said distal end having a sharp circular edge of substantially the same diameter as said bore, the entirety of said tack being made of biodegradable material as an integral unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tack for insertion in the body to hold tissue for healing comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a bore extending longitudinally through said shaft from said proximal end to said distal end, said distal end having a sharp circular edge of substantially the same diameter as said bore, the entirety of said tack being made of biodegradable material as an integral unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-10 | 1994-06-11 | 1994-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-10 | 1998-06-11 | 1998-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-10 | 2002-06-11 | 2002-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |