Soft tissue fixation device

Abstract

A device for attaching soft tissue to a prosthetic implant. The device includes a body that includes a frame and a porous section disposed within the frame, wherein the porous section permits the passage of body fluids therethrough to encourage the healing of the soft tissue as well as the growth of soft tissue into and through the porous section.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A soft tissue fixation device comprising:
 a plate having
 an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a depth extending therebetween; 
 the plate bounded, at least in part, by a frame; 
 a porous section that extends through the depth of the plate; 
 a first connection point on the plate; and 
   a cable connected to the plate at the first connection point to facilitate attaching the plate to a prosthetic implant.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection point is an opening. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection point is a cross member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the cable circumscribes the cross member to attach the plate to the prosthetic implant. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second connection point on the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plate further comprises a left side and a right side, wherein the first connection point is located proximate to the left side or the right side of the plate. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the first connection point is a cross member. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the plate further comprises an opening located distal to the cross member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection point is an attachment post extending from the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment post further comprises a space defining, at least in part, a cross member. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cable circumscribes the prosthetic implant. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable retention device configured to be attached to the cable. 
     
     
         13 . A soft tissue fixation device comprising:
 a plate having
 an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a depth extending therebetween, a left side, and a right side; 
 the plate bounded, at least in part, by a frame; 
 a porous section that extends through the depth of the plate; 
 at least one attachment post associated with the plate; and 
   a cable connected to the plate at the at least one attachment post to facilitate attaching the plate to a prosthetic implant.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one attachment post is located proximate to the left side or the right side of the plate. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the plate further comprises an opening located distal to the at least one attachment post. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the cable circumscribes the prosthetic implant and traverses the opening. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one attachment post includes a space defining, at least in part, a cross member, and wherein the cable circumscribes the cross member. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one attachment post comprises
 a first attachment post located proximate to the left side or the right side of the plate, the first attachment post including a space defining, at least in part, a cross member, and   a second attachment post located distal to the first attachment post, the second attachment post including an opening.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a cable retention device configured to be attached to the cable. 
     
     
         20 . A soft tissue fixation device comprising:
 a plate having
 an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a depth extending therebetween, a left side, and a right side; 
 the plate bounded, at least in part, by a frame; 
 a porous section that extends through the depth of the plate; 
 a first cable engagement feature on the left side of the plate; 
 a second cable engagement feature on the right side of the plate; and 
   a cable configured to engage the first cable engagement feature and the second cable engagement feature to facilitate attaching the plate to the prosthetic implant.