Method and implant for replacing damaged meniscal tissue

摘要

A method and apparatus for replacing damaged meniscal tissue includes a meniscus implant including a porous body having a plurality of interconnected open micro-pores and one or more open cavities for receiving meniscal tissue. The interconnected micro-pores are arranged to allow fluid to flow into the porous body and are in fluid communication with the one or more open cavities.

主权项

1. A method for replacing damaged meniscal tissue, comprising:
performing an incision permitting a surgical access to at least one of the menisci in a knee joint; cutting away a portion of a native meniscus so that a rim of native meniscus material at the outer side of the native meniscus remains; obtaining a meniscus implant including a porous body having a plurality of open cavities spaced along the porous body for receiving native meniscus material and a plurality of interconnected open micro-pores in fluid communication with the open cavities; obtaining one or more pieces of a native meniscus, wherein the pieces are punched out of the cut away portion of the patient's native meniscus; inserting the pieces of native meniscus into the cavities in the meniscus implant; inserting the meniscus implant between a respective femoral condyle and the tibial plateau in a patient's knee joint so that an outer convex peripheral surface of the porous body abuts an inner concave side of the rim of remaining native meniscus material; fixing the meniscus implant to the rim of native meniscus material; and closing the incision.