Patent ID: 7637918
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for fixation of a soft tissue tear comprising: a substantially helically-shaped suturing needle including: a plurality of helical loops between a distal end and a proximal end, the loops defining an interior region and an exterior region, dimensioned such that when the needle is inserted in the manner of a corkscrew along the tissue tear, at least some of the loops will bridge the tear and the majority of the tear will reside in the interior region of the helical loops; a lumen extending substantially from the distal end to the proximal end; and three bores communicating with the lumen, a first bore at or near the proximal end, a second bore at or near the distal end, and a third bore between the first and second bores and essentially adjacent to the second bore; a length of suture material having a first end and a second end, the suture material positioned so that it enters the lumen of the needle at the first bore, extends within the lumen from the first bore to the second bore, exits the needle at the second bore, reenters the lumen at the third bore, further extends within the lumen to the first bore, and exits the needle at the first bore, arranged so that both the first and the second ends of the suture material protrude from the first bore at or near the proximal end of the needle, and when the first and second ends of the suture material are held taut, the second and third bores of the needle support a capturable segment of the suture material; a retriever comprising an elongated rod including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a hook capable of capturing the capturable segment of the suture material; and a needle handle fitted to the proximal end of the needle, the needle handle having a retriever guide, the retriever guide slidably connectable to the retriever and formed to constrain the motion of the distal end of the elongated rod of the retriever along a path within the interior region of the helical loops of the needle up to a point at or near the distal end of the needle, where the hook of the rod of the retriever may capture the capturable segment of the suture material.