US5374268A — Device and method for repairing torn tissue

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

A tissue tear repair device comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members each defined by a surgical needle; and a pair of tissue connecting members having first and second ends, said tissue connecting members being joined to each other at respective first ends by flexible material extending therebetween, said tissue connecting members being constructed of a material having a greater rigidity than said flexible material to facilitate retention of said tissue connecting members in said tissue, wherein each of said tissue connecting members are detectably secured at respective second ends to one of said tissue piercing members.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

A tissue tear repair device comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members each defined by a surgical needle; and a pair of tissue connecting members having first and second ends, said tissue connecting members being joined to each other at respective first ends by flexible material extending therebetween, said tissue connecting members being constructed of a material having a greater rigidity than said flexible material to facilitate retention of said tissue connecting members in said tissue, wherein each of said tissue connecting members are detectably secured at respective second ends to one of said tissue piercing members.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining flange member which fits over said tissue piercing members and tissue connecting members.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1 wherein said tissue piercing members comprises a pair of straight surgical needles, each of said needles being secured to a respective one of said tissue connecting members.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, wherein said tissue piercing members comprises a pair of curved surgical needles, each of said needles being secured to a respective one of said tissue connecting members.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, wherein said tissue connecting members comprise resorbable material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, wherein said anchoring means of said tissue connecting members comprises a plurality of barb-like members which hold the tissue connecting members in place across a tear in tissue.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 33 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 6, wherein said barb-like members have a tapered shape to permit penetration through tissue in a forward direction but prevent movement in a reverse direction.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, wherein said tissue connecting members are secured to said tissue piercing members by one of adhesives, swaging or crimping.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, wherein said tissue connecting members are secured to said tissue piercing members by heat-shrinkable tubing.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A tissue tear repair device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible material comprises a resorbable suture.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 106 words

A device for repairing torn tissue, in particular the meniscus of a knee, comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members each defined by a surgical needle having a pointed end and a blunt end; a pair of tissue anchoring members each being secured at a first end to said piercing members at said blunt ends; and a linking member for joining said anchoring members together, said linking member joining an end of each anchoring member at a second end, wherein said anchoring members are constructed of a material of greater rigidity than said linking member to facilitate retention of said anchoring members in said torn tissue.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 106 words

A device for repairing torn tissue, in particular the meniscus of a knee, comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members each defined by a surgical needle having a pointed end and a blunt end; a pair of tissue anchoring members each being secured at a first end to said piercing members at said blunt ends; and a linking member for joining said anchoring members together, said linking member joining an end of each anchoring member at a second end, wherein said anchoring members are constructed of a material of greater rigidity than said linking member to facilitate retention of said anchoring members in said torn tissue.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

A device according to claim 11, wherein said tissue piercing members comprise surgical needles detachably secured to said anchoring members.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

A device according to claim 11, wherein said linking member comprises a suture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

A device according to claim 13, wherein said anchoring members are composed of resorbable material.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

A device according to claim 14, wherein each of said tissue piercing members comprises a straight metal needle.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 124 words

A method of repairing town meniscal tissue in the knee of a patient, comprising: inserting a pair of surgical needles through the skin of the knee, said needles each being detachably secured to a resilient tissue anchoring member at a blunt end thereof, said anchoring members having barb-like outwardly extending projections, said anchoring members being further connected to each other by a flexible suture, advancing said surgical needles and said anchoring members through the meniscal tissue of the knee until said suture is adjacent said torn meniscal tissue, incising the patient's skin adjacent said surgical needles, detaching said surgical needles from said anchoring members to leave said anchoring members and said suture in said meniscal tissue, and closing said incisions in said patient's skin.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 124 words

A method of repairing town meniscal tissue in the knee of a patient, comprising: inserting a pair of surgical needles through the skin of the knee, said needles each being detachably secured to a resilient tissue anchoring member at a blunt end thereof, said anchoring members having barb-like outwardly extending projections, said anchoring members being further connected to each other by a flexible suture, advancing said surgical needles and said anchoring members through the meniscal tissue of the knee until said suture is adjacent said torn meniscal tissue, incising the patient's skin adjacent said surgical needles, detaching said surgical needles from said anchoring members to leave said anchoring members and said suture in said meniscal tissue, and closing said incisions in said patient's skin.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 42 words

A method according to claim 16, wherein said needles are inserted through the skin surrounding said knee and are accessed on an opposite side of the knee, said needles being detachable from said anchoring members by a sharp pull or by cutting.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of trimming said anchoring members subsequent to detaching said needles from said anchoring members.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

A method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of sliding a retaining flange member over each needle and anchoring member prior to detaching said needles from said anchoring members to apply counter pressure against the joint capsule of the knee to further anchor said suture.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for repairing torn tissue, in particular the meniscus of a knee, comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members each defined by a surgical needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, a pair of tissue anchoring members constructed of resilient material and each having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly from said anchoring members, each said anchoring member being secured at a first end to said blunt end of one of said piercing members, a flexible suture for joining said anchoring members together, said suture joining an end of each anchoring member at a second end, and at least one retaining flange member, wherein said flange member slips over at least one of said tissue piercing members and a tissue anchoring member to contact a joint capsule surface of said knee, said flange member applying pressure to further secure said suture.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for repairing torn tissue, in particular the meniscus of a knee, comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members each defined by a surgical needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, a pair of tissue anchoring members constructed of resilient material and each having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly from said anchoring members, each said anchoring member being secured at a first end to said blunt end of one of said piercing members, a flexible suture for joining said anchoring members together, said suture joining an end of each anchoring member at a second end, and at least one retaining flange member, wherein said flange member slips over at least one of said tissue piercing members and a tissue anchoring member to contact a joint capsule surface of said knee, said flange member applying pressure to further secure said suture.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 48 words

A device for repairing torn tissue, comprising: a pair of leg members; means for connecting said leg members to each other at a first end of each leg member; and a tissue piercing member detachably joined to, and extending from a second end of each said leg member.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 48 words

A device for repairing torn tissue, comprising: a pair of leg members; means for connecting said leg members to each other at a first end of each leg member; and a tissue piercing member detachably joined to, and extending from a second end of each said leg member.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 22 words

A device according to claim 21, wherein said leg members include a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly form said leg members.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 100 words

A tissue tear repair device comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members; and a pair of tissue connecting members having first and second ends, said tissue connecting members being joined to each other at respective first ends by flexible material extending therebetween, said tissue connecting members being constructed of a material having a greater rigidity than said flexible material to facilitate retention of said tissue connecting members in said tissue; wherein each of said tissue piercing members comprises a surgical needle, each of said surgical needles detachably secured to a respective second end of each of said tissue connecting members.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 100 words

A tissue tear repair device comprising: a pair of tissue piercing members; and a pair of tissue connecting members having first and second ends, said tissue connecting members being joined to each other at respective first ends by flexible material extending therebetween, said tissue connecting members being constructed of a material having a greater rigidity than said flexible material to facilitate retention of said tissue connecting members in said tissue; wherein each of said tissue piercing members comprises a surgical needle, each of said surgical needles detachably secured to a respective second end of each of said tissue connecting members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-12-19	1998-06-20	1998-12-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-12-19	2002-06-20	2002-12-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-12-19	2006-06-20	2006-12-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Device and method for repairing torn tissue

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