Tendon repair using internal reinforcing member

Abstract

A reinforcing member or stent ( 7 ) is inserted into opposite end portions ( 1, 1 ′) of a lacerated tendon and fixed within the tendon so that tension applied to the tendon is transmitted across the laceration by way of the reinforcing member ( 7 ).

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship, the reinforcing member being adapted for insertion into the lacerated end portions without compromising the integrity of the cord sheath during installation; and    internal fixing means for fixing the reinforcing member to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is formed from rigid or semi-rigid material.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is formed from a dimensionally stable material so as to not elongate after fixation within the cord.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is longer than wide and wider than thick, defining opposite broad surfaces.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member defines pointed or sharpened ends.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the internal fixing means comprises an adhesive.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive further comprises at least one drug, agent and/or factor to promote healing and growth of the cord tissue.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member defines channels, grooves or surface modifications that increase the surface area of the reinforcing member.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member and internal fixing means are bioabsorbable.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the strength of the fixed reinforcing member and the healing cord in which it is fixed are equal to or greater than the strength necessary for active motion of the cord during healing.  
     
     
         11 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship, the reinforcing member being adapted for insertion into the lacerated cord end portions without compromising the integrity of the cord sheath during installation and the reinforcing member defining a surface that is adapted to be internally fixed to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcing member defines channels, grooves or surface modifications that increase the surface area of the reinforcing member.  
     
     
         13 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship, the reinforcing member being adapted for insertion into the lacerated end portions without passing through the cord sheath; and    internal fixing means contained completely within the cord for fixing the reinforcing member to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         14 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship, the reinforcing member being adapted for insertion into the lacerated end portions without passing through the cord sheath and the reinforcing member defining a surface that is adapted to be internally fixed to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         15 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship; and    internal fixing means for fixing the reinforcing member to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member, wherein the reinforcing member and the internal fixing means are adapted to remain within the cord sheath during repair of the connective cord.    
     
     
         16 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship; and    internal non-suture means for securing the reinforcing member to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         17 . A device for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord including a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, the device comprising: 
 an elongated internal reinforcing member insertable into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the opposing lacerated end portions in abutting relationship, the reinforcing member being formed from rigid or semi-rigid material; and    internal non-suture means for securing the reinforcing member to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         18 . A method for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord having a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, comprising: 
 inserting opposing ends of an elongated reinforcing member into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the lacerated cord end portions positioned in abutting relationship, wherein the insertion of the reinforcing member is carried out without compromising the integrity of the cord sheath; and    internally fixing the inserted reinforcing member to internal tissues of the cord such that tension applied to the cord is transmitted through the reinforcing member.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising cutting a slit into each face of the lacerated cord end portion prior to insertion of the reinforcing member.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising cutting a slit into a face of each lacerated cord end portion during insertion of the reinforcing member.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein internally fixing the reinforcing member comprises applying adhesive to the reinforcing member.  
     
     
         22 . A method for repair of a connective cord normally tensioned in the body during joint movement, the cord having a sheath and having a laceration forming opposing lacerated end portions, comprising: 
 inserting opposing ends of an elongated reinforcing member into the opposing lacerated end portions of the cord such that the reinforcing member bridges the laceration with the lacerated cord end portions positioned in abutting relationship, wherein the insertion of the reinforcing member is carried out without passing the reinforcing member through the cord sheath; and