TISSUE REPAIR SYSTEM

Abstract: A repair system comprising first and second webs (12, 14) preferably of textile material spaced apart from each other and attachable to the tissue to be repaired, a thread (28) passing at intervals between the webs, the webs being movable towards each other by pulling one or both ends of the thread.

Description: TISSUE REPAIR SYSTEM This invention relates to a tissue repair system. When tissue is damaged or torn it is often repaired by bringing the torn edges of the wound together using sutures. There are many repairs or reconstructions of tissue that require this drawing together of the edges of the tissue including wound closure on the skin. When the tissue is in tension such as a damaged or torn rotator cuff or wounded skin this drawing together of the torn edges is conventionally effected by suturing adjacent the damaged edges and applying tension to the sutures in order to urge the opposite edges of the damaged tissue towards each other. Frequently a repair of this kind actually creates further damage to the ruptured tissue in addition to delaying healing, or fails for some other reason. In the particular case of repairs to the rotator cuff it is estimated that of the order of 70% of torn tissues do not respond to conventional repair procedures. Another problem in the field of tissue damage occurs with upholstered furniture particularly seats in public transport. When the outer cover of a seat in a bus or train is torn or cut there is at present no satisfactory method of mending the cover in such a way that the torn edges are urged together and the repair, as far as possible, not visible. In the same way as with human tissue, if the torn edges are stitched together, the tension applied to the damaged edges by the stitches in an attempt to pull them together may result in further damage. If the stitches are located well away from the damaged edges in order to be sited where the tissue is undamaged then they must extend over a considerable area of the surface and become unsightly. In fact repair of the outer covers of seats in public transport is frequently attempted by covering the torn area with self-adhesive plastic strips which while easy to apply does not actually urge the torn edges firmly together so that the outer cover becomes loose and slack. It is also exceedingly unattractive. In many instances, therefore, transport undertakings will re-cover torn upholstery rather than attempt a repair and will accept, albeit reluctantly, the economic burden that entails. The present invention has been made with the object of dealing with these problems. According to the present invention there is provided a tissue repair system comprising first and second webs, the said webs being arranged with one edge of the first web spaced apart from one edge of the second web, a thread passing at intervals through both of said edges, the webs being relatively movable from a first position in which the said one edges are spaced apart and a second position in which said one edges are closer, to one another, the webs being movable from said first position to said second position by pulling one or both ends of the thread away from the webs in the general direction of said one edges of the webs. The webs may be pieces of cloth for example which can be at least in part woven and/or may comprise two or more wales which are interconnected by laid in wefts. The webs need not be of textile material but can be of plastics, paper, a composite or the like. They can be in the form of a film which can be continuous or in the form of a mesh, net or the like. The wales may be knitted and/or crochet. The first and second webs may be different but are preferably similar. The webs and/or thread may be made from a permanent material such as polyester or a bioabsorbable material. In order that the invention may be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example in which:- Fig.1 shows a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention in which the webs are in the first position; and Fig.2 shows the embodiment of the invention of Fig.1 in which the webs are in the second position. Referring to the drawings there is shown a tissue repair system 10 comprising a first web consisting of a piece of cloth 12 and a second web consisting of a piece of cloth 14. The first piece of cloth 12 comprises wales of crochet knitted filaments 16, 18 which are interconnected via a laid in weft 20. Similarly the second piece of cloth 14 comprises wales 22, 24 and laid in weft 26. The pieces of cloth 12, 14 are arranged such that the wales 16, 18, 22, 24 run substantially parallel to one another. A monofilament thread 28 passes through the inner wales 18, 22 at intervals along their lengths thus providing loops 34. The thread 28 extends from each end of the wales 18, 22, so as to provide free ends 30, 32. In use the tissue repair system 10 as shown in Fig.1 is placed across the tissue to be repaired such as wounded skin and opposite edges of the torn tissue (not shown) are sutured to the respective pieces of cloth 12, 14. Once this has been completed the free ends 30, 32 of the thread 28 are pulled in opposite directions as shown by the arrows A in Fig.1. As the thread 28 is pulled away from the pieces of cloth 12, 14 the loops 34 of the thread 28 contract causing the two pieces of cloth 12, 14 to be brought together until the inner wales 18, 22 are substantially adjacent one another as shown in Fig.2. As the opposite edges of the torn tissue are sutured to pieces of cloth 12, 14 the opposite edges of the torn tissue are brought together. The difficulty usually encountered when trying to draw torn edges of a tissue together which is under tension, such as with a damaged or torn rotator cuff or wounded skin, is substantially avoided. The free ends of the thread 30, 32 are tied together so as to prevent the tension of the tissue from causing the tissue repair system 10 from returning to the first position as shown in Fig.1. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention should not be limited to the above described embodiment thereof as this embodiment is for illustration only. In the above described specific embodiment the repair system is fixed to the tissue to be repaired by sutures. However, the repair system can be fastened to the tissue to be repaired in other ways. For example the system can be fixed by means of pins, staples, adhesive or the like. In the case of the repair of human tissue such means are preferably of biodegradable or i plantable material which can be left in place. When the system is used for the repair of torn fabric it can be fixed to the fabric in the same way as it can be fixed to human tissue, but it can also be fixed by means of adhesive. Adhesives suitable for securing fabrics together are known. Adhesive can be applied at the time when the system is used or when the system is manufactured and protected by a release paper or the like. If desired the adhesive can be included in the system in the form of adhesive pads. In the case of the repair of upholstery fabric the repair system can be located on the underside of the torn fabric so that it is completely concealed when the draw thread is tensioned and the torn edges brought together. When a relatively long tear is to be repaired considerable tension may need to be applied to the draw thread in order to bring the torn edges together. It is important in such circumstances to ensure that the draw thread is sufficiently strong. It may also be appropriate where possible to reduce the friction between the moving parts of the system and of the tissue to be repaired, for example by the use of a lubricant such as a silicone or other low friction composition.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A tissue repair system comprising first and second webs, the said webs being arranged with one edge of the first web spaced apart from one edge of the second web, a thread passing at intervals through both of said edges, the webs being relatively movable from a first position in which the said one edges are spaced apart and a second position in which said one edges are closer to one another, the webs being movable from said first position to said second position by pulling one or both ends of the thread away from the webs in the general direction of said one edges of the webs. 2. A tissue repair system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein one or both webs comprise a piece of cloth. 3. A tissue repair system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the cloth is woven at least in part. 4. A tissue repair system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the cloth comprises two or more wales interconnected by laid in wefts. 5. A tissue repair system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the wales are of knitted and/or crochet construction. 6. A tissue repair system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one or both webs comprise a film. 7. A tissue repair system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one or both webs comprise a mesh or net. - 8 - 8. A tissue repair system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the webs are of the same or different construction. 9. A tissue repair system as claimed in any preceding r claim wherein said system is comprised of bioabsorbable and/or implantable material. 10. A tissue repair system as claimed in any preceding claim and comprising means for securing the pieces of cloth to the tissue to be repaired.

Inventors: ELLIS JULIAN GARTH, ELLIS, JULIAN, GARTH
Applicants: GARTH ELLIS JULIAN, ELLIS, JULIAN, GARTH
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61B17, A61F2, D05B97