Soft tissue fixation repair methods using tissue augmentation constructs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11523812-B2
Application number	US-201715419342-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2017
Priority date	Feb 1, 2016
Publication date	Dec 13, 2022
Grant date	Dec 13, 2022

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods to improve both the reliability of soft tissue repair procedures and the speed at which the procedures are completed are provided. The devices and systems include one or more tissue augmentation constructs, which include constructs that are configured to increase a footprint across which suture applied force to tissue when the suture is tied down onto the tissue. The tissue augmentation constructs can be quickly and easily associated with the repair suture, and can be useful in many different tissue repair procedures that are disclosed in the application. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more constructs are disposed on a suture threader, which can be used to associate the construct(s) with a repair suture(s) being used to repair the soft tissue. Tissue augmentation constructs can include various blocks and patches, among other formations. Exemplary methods for manufacturing the tissue augmentation constructs are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of soft tissue repair, comprising:
removing a first tissue augmentation block having a threader pre-disposed therein from packaging holding the first tissue augmentation block in a pre-operative configuration, the first tissue augmentation block having in three dimensions a length, a width, and a thickness, the length extending from a proximal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block to a distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block and being the longest of the length, the width, and the thickness of the first tissue augmentation block, as well as an opening extending through the length of the first tissue augmentation block from the proximal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block to the distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block, the threader being pre-disposed through the opening of the first tissue augmentation block from the proximal-most end to the distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block in the pre-operative configuration;
attaching a first suture to soft tissue such that a first suture limb and a second suture limb of the first suture extends from the soft tissue;
disposing the first tissue augmentation block on the first suture limb by coupling the first suture limb to the threader and applying a force to the threader to advance the threader and the first suture limb through the opening of the first tissue augmentation block from the proximal-most end to the distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block, thereby increasing a surface area for engaging tissue associated with the first suture limb, the disposing action transforming the first tissue augmentation block from the pre-operative configuration into a post-operative configuration with respect to the first suture limb such that, in the post-operative configuration the first tissue augmentation block is able to translate along the first suture limb;
coupling the first suture limb with a first suture anchor disposed in bone;
coupling the second suture limb to a second suture anchor disposed in bone, the coupling of the second suture limb including first passing the second suture limb over a second tissue augmentation block already engaged with tissue by a second suture during the soft tissue repair to engage a portion of the second suture limb directly against a top surface of the second tissue augmentation block; and
after the coupling of the first suture limb, tightening the first suture limb such that the first tissue augmentation block coupled with the first suture limb is directed towards the soft tissue by translating along the first suture limb via the opening of the first tissue augmentation block coupled with the first suture limb.

2. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein attaching a first suture to soft tissue such that two suture limbs of the suture extend from the soft tissue further comprises installing a medial row stitch, and
wherein coupling the first suture limb with a first suture anchor disposed in bone further comprises installing a lateral row fixation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first tissue augmentation block coupled with the first suture limb further comprises at least one of: fabric, plastic, synthetic polymer, natural polymer, collagen, collagen scaffold, reconstituted collagen, biological autograft connective tissue, biological allograft connective tissue, biological xenograft connective tissue, human dermal matrix, porcine dermal matrix, bovine dermal matrix, periosteal tissue, pericardial tissue, and fascia.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first tissue augmentation block coupled with the first suture limb comprises collagen.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
attaching the second suture to the soft tissue such that a third suture limb and a fourth suture limb extend from the soft tissue;
disposing the second tissue augmentation block on at least one of the third and fourth suture limbs, thereby increasing a surface area for engaging tissue associated with at least one of the third and fourth suture limbs;
coupling the third and fourth suture limbs with a second suture anchor disposed in the bone; and
tightening the third and fourth suture limbs such that the second tissue augmentation block is directed towards the soft tissue.

6. A method of soft tissue repair, comprising:
removing a first tissue augmentation block having a first threader pre-disposed therein to be removed from packaging holding the first tissue augmentation block in a pre-operative configuration, the first tissue augmentation block having in three dimensions a length, a width, and a thickness, the length extending from a proximal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block to a distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block and being the longest of the length, the width, and the thickness of the first tissue augmentation block, as well as an opening extending through the length of the first tissue augmentation block from the proximal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block to the distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block, the threader being pre-disposed through the opening of the first tissue augmentation block from the proximal-most end to the distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block in the pre-operative configuration;
coupling a first suture limb of a first suture to the first threader having the first tissue augmentation block pre-disposed thereon, the first suture being attached to a first suture implant disposed in bone in a body, and the first suture limb being coupled to tissue;
applying a force to the first threader to move the first threader with respect to the first tissue augmentation block such that the first suture limb is passed into and through the opening of the first tissue augmentation block from the proximal-most end to the distal-most end of the first tissue augmentation block to dispose the first tissue augmentation block onto a portion of the first suture limb, the applying action transforming the first tissue augmentation block from the pre-operative configuration into a post-operative configuration with respect to the first suture limb such that, in the post-operative configuration the first tissue augmentation block is able to translate along the first suture limb;
disassociating the first suture limb and the first tissue augmentation block from the first threader;
advancing the first tissue augmentation block towards the first suture implant;
securing a portion of the first suture limb at a surgical site;
securing a portion of a second suture limb of the first suture at a surgical site, the securing of the second suture limb including passing the second suture limb over a second tissue augmentation block already engaged with tissue with a second suture attached to a second suture implant during the soft tissue repair to engage a portion of the second suture limb directly against a top surface of the second tissue augmentation block, and
after the securing action of the first suture limb, adjusting a location of at least one of the first tissue augmentation block and first suture limb with respect to the tissue by translating the first tissue augmentation block along the first suture limb.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising forming a medial row stitch with the first suture to couple the first suture to tissue.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first tissue augmentation block further comprises at least one of: fabric, plastic, synthetic polymer, natural polymer, collagen, collagen scaffold, reconstituted collagen, biological autograft connective tissue, biological allograft connective tissue, biological xenograft connective tissue, human dermal matrix, porcine dermal matrix, bovine dermal m

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Sengun Mehmet Ziya
• Whittaker Gregory R
• Cleveland Benjamin
• Berti Stefano
• Piccirillo Justin
• Theis Reagan A

Classifications

• A61B2017/0409

  Instruments for applying suture anchors · CPC title

• A61B2017/0404

  Buttons · CPC title

• A61F2002/0072

  Delivery tools therefor · CPC title

• A61B2017/0414

  having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening · CPC title

• A61B2017/0403

  Dowels · CPC title