Connective tissue repair system

Abstract

Systems, including apparatus and methods, for repairing injured connective tissue. These systems may include, among others, a surgical stapler and staples for repairing partially or completely severed tendons and/or ligaments.

1 . A connective tissue repair apparatus, comprising:
 an anvil defining an axis and configured to receive and orient a band of connective tissue such that the band extends parallel to the axis;   a staple driver configured to advance a first leg and a second leg of a surgical staple through the band of connective tissue, which has been received and oriented by the anvil, such that the first and second legs enter the band at positions disposed along the band and are deflected by the anvil as they emerge from the band of connective tissue; and   a trigger operatively connected to the staple driver, such that actuating the trigger advances the staple.   
   
   
       2 . The connective tissue repair apparatus of  claim 1 , the connective tissue being severed, forming first and second severed ends, wherein the anvil is configured to align the first and second severed ends for stapling. 
   
   
       3 . The connective tissue repair apparatus of  claim 1 , the first and second legs of the surgical staple having ends that penetrate through the connective tissue during stapling, wherein the anvil is configured to direct the ends back into the band of connective tissue after the ends have penetrated through the tissue. 
   
   
       4 . The connective tissue repair apparatus of  claim 1 , the first and second legs of the surgical staple having ends that penetrate through the connective tissue during stapling, wherein the anvil is configured to direct the ends around the exterior of the band of connective tissue after the ends have penetrated through the tissue. 
   
   
       5 . The connective tissue repair apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a connective tissue clamp operatively connected to the trigger, such that actuating the trigger clamps the connective tissue between the anvil and the clamp. 
   
   
       6 . The connective tissue repair apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein releasing the trigger releases the connective tissue from between the anvil and the clamp. 
   
   
       7 . The connective tissue repair apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured to cover at least a portion of the staple driver. 
   
   
       8 . The connective tissue apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the housing includes a stapler port configured so that a staple may be loaded onto the stapler driver through the stapler port. 
   
   
       9 . The connective tissue apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connective tissue is a tendon. 
   
   
       10 . A tendon stapler, comprising:
 a housing;   an anvil configured to support first and second ends of a severed tendon in alignment and abutment;   a staple driver disposed at least in part within the housing, the staple driver configured to advance a surgical staple against the anvil through the first and second ends of the severed tendon so that tips of the staple enter the tendon at positions disposed along the tendon and are deflected; and   a trigger, configured so that actuating the trigger advances the staple driver.   
   
   
       11 . The tendon stapler of  claim 10 , further comprising a clamp, configured so that advancing the staple driver urges the clamp against the anvil, securing the severed tendon. 
   
   
       12 . A kit for repairing an injured band of connective tissue, comprising:
 a connective tissue repair apparatus that includes:   an anvil configured to receive and orient a band of connective tissue;   a staple driver configured to advance a first leg and a second leg of a surgical staple through the injured band of connective tissue, with the band of connective tissue received and oriented by the anvil, such that the first and second legs enter the band at positions disposed along the band and are deflected by the anvil as they emerge from the band of connective tissue; and   a trigger operatively connected to the staple driver, such that actuating the trigger advances the staple; and   at least one surgical staple configured for use in the connective tissue repair apparatus.   
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the connective tissue repair apparatus incorporates exactly one surgical staple, and may be used exactly once. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the kit includes a plurality of surgical staples. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the surgical staple is incorporated in a cassette that includes a plurality of additional surgical staples.