Soft tissue conduit device

Abstract

A soft tissue conduit device. The device includes an elongated body having an outer surface, the elongated body defining a plurality of longitudinal external channels, each longitudinal channel defining a conduit open to the outer surface of the elongated body, each conduit operable to conduct a biological material in soft tissue.

1 . A soft tissue conduit device comprising: 
 an elongated body having an outer surface, the elongated body defining a plurality of longitudinal external channels, each longitudinal channel defining a conduit open to the outer surface of the elongated body, each conduit operable to conduct a biological material in soft tissue.    
     
     
         2 . The conduit device of  claim 1 , wherein is conduit is operable to provide a vascularity path in soft tissue.  
     
     
         3 . The conduit device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is threaded and the longitudinal channels interrupt the threads.  
     
     
         4 . The conduit device of  claim 3 , wherein the threads are non-cutting.  
     
     
         5 . The conduit device of  claim 4 , wherein the body comprises a cylindrical portion and a tapered tip portion.  
     
     
         6 . The conduit device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is cannulated and defines a longitudinal bore, the longitudinal bore being isolated from the longitudinal channels.  
     
     
         7 . The conduit device of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal bore has a cross-section configured to receive a driver.  
     
     
         8 . The conduit device of  claim 7 , wherein the cross-section of the longitudinal bore is substantially square.  
     
     
         9 . The conduit device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal channels have a cross-section substantially in the shape selected from a rounded V or a keyhole.  
     
     
         10 . The conduit device of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal channels are selectively arranged symmetrically or non-symmetrically relative to a cross-section of the longitudinal bore.  
     
     
         11 . The conduit device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal body is unthreaded and substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section.  
     
     
         12 . The conduit device of  claim 11 , wherein each longitudinal channel has a substantially keyhole-shaped cross-section.  
     
     
         13 . The conduit device of  claim 13 , wherein the longitudinal body is cannulated defining an elongated bore having a substantially circular cross-section not in communication with the elongated channels.  
     
     
         14 . The conduit device of  claim 1 , wherein each channel is shaped such that, upon insertion in soft tissue, the conduit is enveloped but not obstructed by the soft tissue.  
     
     
         15 . The conduit of  claim 1 , wherein the biological material comprises autologous cells, exogenous materials, endogenous nutrients, or platelet gels.  
     
     
         16 . A method of conducting biological materials to a defect in soft tissue, the method comprising: 
 inserting a conduit device into the soft tissue and through the defect in the soft tissue; and    conducting biological materials along at least one longitudinal channel defined on an outer surface of the conduit device into the soft tissue.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the conduit device to connect areas of tissue having different vascularities.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein conducting biological materials includes delivering biological materials externally into the channel during or after implantation.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein conducting biological materials includes attaching biological gels in the channels before implantation.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein delivering biological materials includes providing a nutrient path from the tissue to the defect through the channels.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling the conduit device to a fixation device.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the conduit device to a fixation device includes forming a flexible strand loop between the conduit device and the fixation device.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the loop passes through an internal bore of the conduit device.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the loop passes through the channel of the conduit device.  
     
     
         25 . A method of conducting biological materials between first and second areas of different vascularity of a meniscus, the method comprising: 
 inserting an elongated body in the meniscus such that at least one longitudinal channel of the elongated body extends between the first and second areas and defines a conduit for biological materials, wherein the channel is open to an outer surface of the elongated body.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 delivering biological materials to the channel during or after implantation.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 attaching biological materials to the channel before implantation.