Tissue Repair with Space-Seeking Spirals of Filament

摘要

The distal portion of a shape-memory filament extends from a needle containing at least one filament gripping element. To implant the shape-memory filament in tissue, the needle is inserted into a cannula with a flexible and removable hook. During partial withdrawal of the needle, the hook holds the distal portion of the filament stationary to deposit a section of filament in the distal portion of the cannula. The needle is re-advanced, pushing the section of the shape-memory filament to coil or fold within the tissue. Rotation of the needle with the filament gripping element further tightens the coiled or folded filament. Partial withdrawal, re-advancement, rotation and pushing of the needle are repeated to fill, pack, strengthen, enlarge or augment the tissue with the shape-memory filament.

主权项

1. A deployment device for implanting a selectable amount of filament within tissue, the deployment device comprising:
a cannula capable of being guided such that a distal opening thereof may be located within an implant location, a filament having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a filament needle comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and said distal portion of said filament extends from said distal end of said filament needle, said distal end of said filament needle and said distal portion of said filament entirely locatable within said cannula, a one-way filament retainer approximates said filament needle, wherein said one-way filament retainer further comprises a distal tip, said filament needle is capable of being rotated, thereby twisting said distal portion of said filament into a twisted distal portion located distally to said distal end of said filament needle, and said filament needle is capable of being advanced and retracted to pack said twisted distal portion of said filament into the implant location.