Devices and methods for tendon repair

Abstract

Disclosed is a device and method for repairing a partially or totally ruptured tendon. The device comprises an implant placed inside or outside of the tendon on either side of the rupture in order to strengthen the ruptured area during repair. Once positioned inside the tendon, the tendon is held in place so it can heal either by sewing or stapling through the tendon and implant, or by any other suitable method that utilizes the implant to provide strength to the ruptured area. In this manner the tendon can heal with less chance of rupturing again prior to healing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tendon repair device for being positioned inside of a tendon that includes a partial or complete rupture, the rupture separating the tendon into a first section and a second section, the tendon repair device including:
 a hollow tube having an inner surface, a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the first section and the second end configured to receive the second section.   
     
     
         2 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface has one or more of the group consisting of: stiplets, a spiraled configuration, a criss cross or cruciate pattern in cross section, and a plurality of extending ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that is comprised of biodegradable or non-biodegradable material. 
     
     
         4 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that is comprised of a mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The tendon repair device of  claim 3  that is a mesh having mesh dimensions of approximately 6 cm×3 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that includes an antibiotic to inhibit the growth of bacteria. 
     
     
         7 . The tendon repair device of  claim 6  that is made of a material and the antibiotic is included within the material. 
     
     
         8 . The tendon repair device of  claim 6  that is made of a material and wherein the antibiotic is coated on the material. 
     
     
         9 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that includes a growth enhancing agent. 
     
     
         10 . The tendon repair device of  claim 9  that is impregnated with a growth enhancing agent. 
     
     
         11 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface has outwardly extending ribs that are spaced apart 0.5-3 mm or less. 
     
     
         12 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that has stiplets on the inner surface and each stiplet extends about 0.5-2 mm from the inner surface. 
     
     
         13 . The tendon repair device of  claim 12  wherein each stiplet is spaced about 0.5-2 mm from the next closest stiplet. 
     
     
         14 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that further includes wide areas alternating with narrow areas. 
     
     
         15 . The tendon repair device of  claim 14  wherein there is a difference in diameter between each narrow area and each wide area, and the difference in diameter is between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that includes openings for receiving a needle, a staple, a rivet or another solid structure. 
     
     
         17 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that has a needle attached to the first end. 
     
     
         18 . The tendon repair device of  claim 17  that has a needle attached to the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The tendon repair device of  claim 17  wherein the needle attached to the first end has a curved portion and a straight portion, and is designed to imbed the insert a predetermined distance into the tendon. 
     
     
         20 . The tendon repair device of  claim 18  wherein the needle attached to the second end has a curved portion and a straight portion, and is designed to imbed the insert a predetermined distance into the tendon. 
     
     
         21 . The tendon repair device of  claim 17  wherein the needle is configured to imbed the body of the implant 0.5 cm to 5 cm inside each end of the tendon. 
     
     
         22 . The tendon repair device of  claim 21  wherein the needle has a wide enough base to match the width of the implant to connect to the body portion. 
     
     
         23 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface has raised portions comprised of one or more of: ribs, backward angled ribs, barbs, and backward angled barbs, and stiplets. 
     
     
         24 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that has an interior diameter of between 2 mm and 20 mm. 
     
     
         25 . The tendon repair device of  claim 24  wherein the raised portions extend 0.5 mm-5 mm from the inner surface. 
     
     
         26 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that is physically connected to the tendon by one or more of sutures, staples, rivets, or clamps to help retain the ends of the tendon within the implant. 
     
     
         27 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that has a circular outer surface in cross section. 
     
     
         28 . The tendon repair device of  claim 1  that includes a fabric. 
     
     
         29 . The tendon repair device of  claim 28  wherein the fabric is one or more of: woven, knitted, braided, and twisted. 
     
     
         30 . The tendon repair device of  claim 28  wherein the fabric comprises an absorbable material selected from the group consisting of: polyglactin, polycaprolate, poliglecaprone, polysorb, polyglygolic acid, polylactic acid, polydioxanone, caprolactone, collagen, surgical gut, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The tendon repair device of  claim 28  wherein the fabric comprises a non-absorbable material selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, metal, and combinations thereof.