Methods and procedures for ligament repair
Methods and devices for the repair of a ruptured ligament using a scaffold device are provided. Aspects of the invention may include a scaffold attached by one or more sutures to one or more anchors. In aspects of the invention, the anchors may be secured to a bone near or at the repair site.
1 . A device for repair of a ligament exposed to synovial fluid and connected to a first bone, the device comprising:
a suture having a first end and a second end, the suture being attachable to a ruptured end of a ligament;
a first mechanical device configured for attachment to the first bone and the suture such that the suture is threadable through the first mechanical device; and
a porous hydrophilic scaffold comprising collagen and is capable of compression and expansion, the porous scaffold having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a size, and a shape configured to be positionable adjacent to the ruptured end of the ligament, wherein the porous scaffold is threaded onto the suture and is configured to repair the ligament when positioned adjacent to the ruptured end of the ligament.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the ligament is an ACL and wherein the scaffold allows cell ingrowth.
3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second mechanical device for direct contact with a second bone and being attachable to another suture.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the first mechanical device and the second mechanical device are selected from the group consisting of a screw, a barb, a helical anchor, a staple, a clip, a snap, and a rivet.
5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the mechanical device is an endobutton.
6 . The device of claim 1 , where the scaffold further includes a repair material.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the repair material includes a platelet or plasma.
8 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more growth factors configured to be disposed within or on the porous scaffold.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous scaffold is resistant to degradation by synovial fluid.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous scaffold includes soluble type I collagen.
11 . A device, comprising:
a suture having a first end and a second end, the suture being attachable to a ruptured end of a tissue exposed to synovial fluid;
an anchor configured for attachment to a first bone and the suture such that the suture is threaded through the anchor; and
a porous hydrophilic scaffold comprising collagen and is capable of compression and expansion, the porous scaffold threaded onto the suture and having a size, and a shape configured to be positioned adjacent to a ruptured portion of the tissue to allow cell ingrowth into the porous scaffold to repair or regrow the tissue.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the tissue is an ACL.
13 . The device of claim 11 , further comprising a second anchor device for direct contact with a second bone and being attachable to another suture.
14 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the anchor includes a screw having a eyelet for receiving the suture.
15 . The device of claim 11 , where the scaffold further includes a repair material.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the repair material includes a platelet or plasma.
17 . The device of claim 11 , further comprising one or more growth factors configured to be disposed within or on the porous scaffold.
18 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the porous scaffold is resistant to degradation by synovial fluid.
19 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the porous scaffold includes soluble type I collagen.
20 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous scaffold is free of a crosslinking agent.
21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous scaffold is a hydrogel.
22 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the porous scaffold is free of a crosslinking agent.
23 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the porous scaffold is a hydrogel.