Medical device for repair of tissue and method for implantation and fixation

Abstract

The present invention relates to medical devices for repairing tissue and more specifically to devices which facilitate tissue regeneration and to surgical methods for the implantation and fixation of such devices. In one embodiment, the medical device is an elongate conduit that includes a longitudinal bore extending therethrough to facilitate the transfer of blood from a vascular region of tissue to a tear or damaged area located in an avascular and/or semi-vascular region of tissue. A filament and/or filaments are attached to the conduit and are positioned to secure the conduit and fixate the adjacent tear walls in mutual engagement. In another embodiment, a series of conduits are connected via a filament and/or filaments to facilitate the implantation of multiple conduits.

1 . A method for implanting a medical device in tissue, the tissue having a first area of vascularity and a second area of vascularity, the vascularity of the second area being less than the vascularity of the first area, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a device into tissue, said device including a conduit and a filament attached to said conduit, said conduit having a first end, a second end, and a bore therethrough;   positioning said first end of said conduit adjacent the outside wall of a torn or damaged area of tissue;   positioning said filament through said tissue to secure said conduit and fixate the tissue in a desired position; and   securing said filament.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first said positioning step further comprises locating said first end in a second area of vascularity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first said positioning step further comprises positioning said second end of said device body in a first area of vascularity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said securing step further comprises looping said filament over said outside wall of a torn or damaged area of tissue. 
     
     
         5 . A method for implanting a medical device in tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a device into tissue, said device including a plurality of conduits and a filament attached to said conduits, said conduits having a first end, a second end, and a bore therethrough;   positioning said first end of each said conduits adjacent the outside wall of a torn or damaged area of tissue;   positioning said filament through said tissue to secure said conduit and fixate said tissue in a desired position; and   securing said filament.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said tissue has a first area of vascularity and a second area of vascularity, said first area having greater vascularity than said second area, the first said positioning step further comprising positioning said first end in said second area of vascularity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the first said positioning step further comprises positioning said second end of said conduit in said second area of vascularity.