Tissue fixation system and method

Abstract

A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. The fastener is provided with a groove that accommodates at least a portion of the fastening member to reduce the profile during the movement through the passage. The fastener is then pivoted to change its orientation. A second fastener can then be connected with the fastening member. While tension is maintained in the fastening member, the fasteners are secured against relative movement. This may be done by deforming the fastening member, either the first or second fasteners, or a bushing placed against the second fastener.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue fixation system comprising: an elongate fastening member; and a fastener positionable on the elongated fastening member and movable from a first orientation to a second orientation, the fastener having a body with a tissue contacting surface that includes a groove configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the elongate fastening member in the first orientation. 
     
     
         2 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 1  wherein the fastener body has a free surface opposite the tissue contacting surface, the free surface including a channel configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the elongate member in the first orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 2  wherein the fastener body includes a through bore extending from the tissue contacting surface through the free surface. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 3  wherein the fastener body includes leading and trailing ends, the groove terminating at the through bore and extending toward one of the leading and trailing ends and the channel terminating at the through bore and extending toward the other of the leading and trailing ends. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 4  wherein the groove extends toward the leading end and the channel extends toward the trailing end. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 5  wherein the free surface of the fastener body includes a well surrounding the through bore. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 6  wherein a distal end of the elongate fastening member includes a stop larger than the through bore. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 7  wherein the well is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the stop. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 8  wherein the leading end of the fastener body is tapered. 
     
     
         10 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 1  further comprising a biasing means maintaining the fastener in the first orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 10  wherein the biasing means comprises an adhesive between the groove and the portion of the elongate fastening member received in the groove. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue fixation system of  claim 10  wherein the biasing means comprises a frangible connection between the groove and the portion of the elongate fastening member received in the groove. 
     
     
         13 . A tissue fixation system for fixation of a first tissue member to a second tissue member, comprising: an elongate fastener member positionable though the first and second tissues members and including first and second ends, such that the first and second tissue members are interposed between the first and second ends of the elongate fastener member; a first fastener positionable on the first end on the elongate fastener member, adjacent to the first tissue member; and a second fastener positionable on the second end on the elongate fastener member, adjacent to the second tissue member; wherein a tension is provided through the elongate fastener member between the first and second fasteners, affixing the first tissue member to the second tissue member. 
     
     
         14 . A tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the first fastener is moveable with respect to the elongate fastener member from a first orientation to a second orientation, the first fastener having a body with a tissue contacting surface that includes a groove configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the elongate fastener member in the first orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the first fastener body has a free surface opposite the tissue contacting surface, the free surface including a channel configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the elongate fastener member in the first orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the first fastener body includes a through bore extending from the tissue contacting surface through the free surface, through which the elongate fastener member extends. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the first fastener body includes leading and trailing ends, the groove terminating at the through bore and extending toward one of the leading and trailing ends and the channel terminating at the through bore and extending toward the other of the leading and trailing ends. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the groove extends toward the leading end and the channel extends toward the trailing end. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the free surface of the first fastener body includes a well surrounding the through bore. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue fixation system as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the first end of the elongate fastener member includes a stop larger than the through bore.