Methods and procedures for ligament repair

Abstract

Methods and devices for the repair of a ruptured ligament using a scaffold device are provided. Aspects of the invention may include a scaffold attached by one or more sutures to one or more anchors. In aspects of the invention, the anchors may be secured to a bone near or at the repair site.

1 . A tissue healing device configured to repair a ligament, comprising:
 a hydrophilic scaffold that is compressible and expandable, the scaffold configured to be positioned between a ruptured end of the ligament and a bone;   at least one anchor configured to be secured to the bone;   at least one suture configured to be threaded through or along the scaffold to position the scaffold between to the ruptured end of the ligament and the bone; and   one or more growth factors configured to be disposed within or on the scaffold.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ligament is an ACL and wherein the scaffold allows cell ingrowth. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is conical in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchor includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the anchor. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one anchor includes an eyelet at the first end of the anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one suture is attached to the at least one anchor through the eyelet. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the anchor includes a sharpened tip at the second end of the anchor. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the sharpened tip is threaded. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the anchor is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a barb, a helical anchor, a staple, a clip, a snap, and a rivet. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 4 , where the scaffold further comprises a repair material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , where the repair material is a platelet or plasma.