System and method for denaturing and fixing collagenous tissue

摘要

A method for modifying a geometry of a collagenous tissue mass includes heating the collagenous tissue mass to a temperature sufficient to cause denaturation, and introducing a biocompatible fixative, such as genepin, into the collagenous tissue mass.

主权项

1. A surgical method for repairing ligamentous tissue, comprising:
introducing an elongate instrument into a patient's body such that at least a portion of the elongate instrument is positioned proximate the ligamentous tissue; placing a limiter on an opposite side of the ligamentous tissue, to prevent a needle, extending from the elongate instrument and used for delivering a biocompatible fixative, from protruding beyond the ligamentous tissue to other tissue structures; denaturing at least a portion of the ligamentous tissue by delivering energy from an energy transmitting element on the elongate instrument to the ligamentous tissue to shrink or tighten the ligamentous tissue; and introducing the biocompatible fixative into the denatured ligamentous tissue to retain the shrinkage or tightening of the ligamentous tissue.