US5059206A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus
Assignee: INNOVASIVE ACQUISITION CORP
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Filing: 1989-04-12
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2009-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient utilizes a delivery device having a distal end dimensioned to extend into the interior of the patient's knee. A fastener is fitted within the distal end and is manipulated to extend toward the tear in the meniscus, and extended across the tear to close and bind the tear without passing out of the knee.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Winters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B2017/0646; A61B2017/0647; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/38; A61F2/3872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient, comprising the step of: providing a delivery device having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end dimensioned to extend into the interior of the patient's knee; inserting the device into the patient's knee so that the distal end extends centrally into the knee; fitting a fastener within the device; manipulating the device through a curved radius so that the distal end is directed outwardly toward the tear in the meniscus; and thereafter extending and releasing the fastener through the curved radius and out of the distal end of the device outwardly through the meniscus and across the tear to close and bind the tear without passing the fastener out of the meniscus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient, comprising the step of: providing a delivery device having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end dimensioned to extend into the interior of the patient's knee; inserting the device into the patient's knee so that the distal end extends centrally into the knee; fitting a fastener within the device; manipulating the device through a curved radius so that the distal end is directed outwardly toward the tear in the meniscus; and thereafter extending and releasing the fastener through the curved radius and out of the distal end of the device outwardly through the meniscus and across the tear to close and bind the tear without passing the fastener out of the meniscus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the fastener extending step comprises pushing the fastener through the device responsive to an actuating step at the proximal end of the delivery device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the actuating step comprises extending an actuator through the device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in either claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising the step of locking the fastener against inward movement toward the center of the patient's knee.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method recited in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the inserting and manipulating steps comprise first inserting the distal end into the patient's knee, and thereafter manipulating the distal end centrally and against the meniscus under repair.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the fastener is bioabsorbable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method recited in either claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising the step of constructing and extending the fastener in a direction through the meniscus under repair so as to avoid condylar abrasion.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a relatively rigid fastener of a nontoxic, bioabsorbable material, the fastener having locking means along its length; and inserting the fastener into the patient's knee, manipulating the fastener through a curved radius and then outwardly across the meniscal tear, without extending the fastener through the outer perimeter of the knee.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a relatively rigid fastener of a nontoxic, bioabsorbable material, the fastener having locking means along its length; and inserting the fastener into the patient's knee, manipulating the fastener through a curved radius and then outwardly across the meniscal tear, without extending the fastener through the outer perimeter of the knee.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein the inserting step further comprises the step of: providing a delivery device having a proximal end and a curving distal end dimensioned to extend into the interior of the patient's knee and adapted to receive the fastener; and inserting the curving distal end into the patient's knee.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of constructing and extending the fastener in a direction through the meniscus under repair so as to avoid condylar abrasion.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient without sutures, comprising the steps of: providing a delivery device having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to extend first into the interior of a patient's knee, through a curved radius and then outwardly toward the meniscus under repair; providing a non-toxic, bioabsorbable fastener having locking means; fitting the fastener within the device; inserting the distal end of the device through the curved radius and into the central portion of the patient's knee; manipulating the device so as to direct the distal end toward the meniscal tear under treatment; and thereafter driving the fastener through the curved radius and out of the distal end of the device, through the meniscus and across the tear under treatment.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for repairing a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient without sutures, comprising the steps of: providing a delivery device having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to extend first into the interior of a patient's knee, through a curved radius and then outwardly toward the meniscus under repair; providing a non-toxic, bioabsorbable fastener having locking means; fitting the fastener within the device; inserting the distal end of the device through the curved radius and into the central portion of the patient's knee; manipulating the device so as to direct the distal end toward the meniscal tear under treatment; and thereafter driving the fastener through the curved radius and out of the distal end of the device, through the meniscus and across the tear under treatment.
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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |