Implantable tissue fixation devices and methods of tissue approximation

Abstract

Implantable devices and methods for fixation of soft tissue to soft tissue or soft tissue to bone tissue. Generally, the devices can include a body having at least a first area with a plurality of projections extending from the first area for attaching to the soft tissue, and a second area discrete from the first area. The body has physical characteristics sufficient to approximate or to support the soft tissue adjacent the first area with respect to the second area. The plurality of projections are configured to attach to the soft tissue and to distribute tension between the first area and the soft tissue. A soft tissue to bone tissue approximation device is configured to be attached to bone tissue and, using a plurality of projections, also attached to soft tissue.

1 . An implantable device for fixation to soft tissue, comprising; 
 a) a body having: 
 i) at least a first area with a plurality of projections extending from the first area for attaching to the soft tissue, and  
 ii) a second area discrete from the first area,  
   wherein the body has physical characteristics sufficient to approximate or to support the soft tissue adjacent the first area with respect to the second area, and    wherein the plurality of projections are configured to attach to the soft tissue and to distribute tension between the first area and the soft tissue.    
     
     
         2 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of projections comprise burrs.  
     
     
         3 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said body includes said projections on opposite sides thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The implantable device of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of projections comprise burrs.  
     
     
         5 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of projections extending from said body are varied in orientation on said body.  
     
     
         6 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said body comprises a solid material.  
     
     
         7 . The implantable device of  claim 6  wherein said solid material comprises a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         8 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said body and said plurality of projections comprise a polymer or copolymer.  
     
     
         9 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said body comprises opposing end areas and a central area located between said opposing end areas.  
     
     
         10 . The implantable device of  claim 9  wherein said plurality of projections are located at said opposing end areas.  
     
     
         11 . The implantable device of  claim 10  wherein said central area is without projections.  
     
     
         12 . The implantable device of  claim 9  wherein said plurality of projections at one of said end areas are canted toward said plurality of projections at the opposing end area.  
     
     
         13 . The implantable device of  claim 1  wherein said body is tubular in shape and has an outside surface, an inside surface, a first end, and a second end opposing said first end.  
     
     
         14 . The implantable device of  claim 13  wherein said plurality of projections are on said first end and said plurality of projections are canted toward said second end.  
     
     
         15 . The implantable device of  claim 14  wherein said second end includes projections extending therefrom and canted toward said first end.  
     
     
         16 . An implantable tissue approximation device comprising: 
 a) a biodegradable body having: 
 i) opposing first and second ends separated by a center area,  
 ii) discrete first and second contact areas respectively adjacent the opposing first and second ends, and  
 iii) a plurality of biodegradable projections extending from the first and second discrete contact areas,  
   wherein 1) the plurality of biodegradable projections are configured to attach to soft tissue adjacent the first and second discrete contact areas, 2) the biodegradable body has physical characteristics sufficient to approximate tissue adjacent the first contact area with respect to the discrete second contact area, and 3) wherein the plurality of biodegradable projections are configured to distribute tension between the first and second contact areas and the respective adjacent soft tissue.    
     
     
         17 . An implantable tissue approximation device comprising: 
 a bone tissue anchor portion, and a soft tissue anchor portion, said soft tissue anchor portion having a plurality of projections extending therefrom, and said soft tissue anchor portion coupled with said bone tissue anchor portion, wherein said bone tissue anchor portion is configured to be attached to bone tissue and said plurality of projections of said soft tissue anchor portion are configured to be attached to soft tissue whereby the coupling between the bone tissue anchor portion and the soft tissue anchor portion is used to approximate the soft tissue to the bone tissue.    
     
     
         18 . The implantable tissue approximation device of  claim 17 , wherein said soft tissue anchor portion further comprises a flat body with said projections extending from a surface thereof, said projections serving to distribute tension between soft tissue and said flat body after said flat body and said bone anchor portion are secured, respectively, to the soft tissue and the bone tissue.  
     
     
         19 . The implantable tissue approximation device of  claim 18 , wherein said projections further comprise burrs.  
     
     
         20 . The implantable tissue approximation device of  claim 18 , wherein said device is formed from a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         21 . The implantable tissue approximation device of  claim 18 , wherein said soft tissue anchor portion defines a through-hole.  
     
     
         22 . The implantable tissue approximation device of  claim 21 , wherein said through-hole is slotted.  
     
     
         23 . A method of approximating soft tissue to bone tissue using an approximation device having a soft tissue anchor portion and a bone tissue anchor portion, comprising: 
 engaging a plurality of projections on the soft tissue anchor portion with the soft tissue;    engaging the bone tissue anchor portion with the bone tissue; and    approximating the soft tissue to the bone tissue using a coupling portion between the bone tissue anchor portion and the soft tissue anchor portion.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein engaging the bone tissue anchor portion with the bone tissue occurs before engaging the plurality of projections with the soft tissue.  
     
     
         25 . A method of approximating first and second soft tissue areas using an approximation device having first and second soft tissue anchor portions each including a plurality of projections and being separated by a coupling portion, comprising: 
 engaging the plurality of projections of the first soft tissue anchor portion with the first soft tissue area;    engaging the plurality of projections of the second soft tissue anchor portion with the second soft tissue area;    approximating the first and second soft tissue areas using the coupling portion.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the coupling portion is without projections.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the projections comprise burrs.