Tendon repair

Abstract

An assembly is described for repairing torn tendons by reattaching them to a bone, in particular although not exclusively for repairing a torn rotator cuff tendon, which allows for reduction of the gap between the tendon and the humerus by pushing the tendon onto its attachment site. Also described is a method of repairing a torn rotator cuff tendon by pushing it onto its attachment site and suturing through the humeral head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suture cartridge for a tendon repair assembly capable of fixing a torn tendon to an attachment site on a bone, the suture cartridge being insertable into a tendon engaging member of the tendon repair assembly and defining a suture holding structure for presenting a short length of suture that is accessible from the suture cartridge through an aperture in a tendon engaging surface of the tendon engaging member. 
     
     
         2 . The suture cartridge according to  claim 1 , in which the suture includes a loop of suture. 
     
     
         3 . A suture capture apparatus for a tendon repair assembly capable of fixing a torn tendon to an attachment site on a bone, the suture capture apparatus comprising:
 a suture cartridge for inserting into a tendon engaging member of the tendon repair assembly, the suture cartridge defining a suture holding structure for presenting a short length of suture that is accessible from the suture cartridge through an aperture in a tendon engaging surface of the tendon engaging member; and   a surgical needle assembly comprising two parallel needles for perforating the bone and tendon, the pair of needles each having a tip for piercing the tendon and bone, the tip being arranged to accept a length of suture presented by the suture cartridge.   
     
     
         4 . The suture capture apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the pair of needles are arranged to enter the tendon engaging member through the aperture in the tendon engaging surface to engage the short length of suture. 
     
     
         5 . The suture capture apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein each needle has a two-pronged tip arranged to accept a suture therewithin. 
     
     
         6 . The suture capture apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein each needle has a hook for accepting the suture, the hook being formed as an overhang of a recess adjacent to its tip. 
     
     
         7 . The suture capture apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein each needle includes a Kirschner wire.