Patent ID: 7622068
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: A61B,B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method of making a, tissue repair device having a polymeric stopper member molded around an end of a flexible cord, comprising the steps of: providing a flexible cord having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being flexible; providing a rod member; placing the rod member through the first end of the cord such that at least a section of the rod member is contained within the end of the cord; disposing the first flexible end of the cord with the rod member in a die cavity; providing a prefabricated polymer tube having an inner passage; disposing the prefabricated polymer tube in the die cavity so that it substantially surrounds the first end of the cord and the rod member; disposing a plunger in the die cavity adjacent to the polymer tube; heating the die cavity to a temperature sufficient to effectively completely melt the polymer tube, thereby producing melted polymer; moving the plunger axially in the die cavity in the direction of the first end of the cord and the rod, thereby forming a stopper member from the melted polymer about the first end of the cord and the rod member; and, and cooling the die cavity, wherein the cord, the rod and the stopper member are formed from biocompatible polymers selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyesters, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyamides and polyalkylene oxides.