IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,727,875
Granted Patent B2
US 12,727,875 · App. 18/674,560 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Surgical systems and methods for tendon repair

Inventors: Adam J. Cundiff (Gilbert, AZ); Nathan G. Peterson (Gilbert, AZ); Eli W. Jacobson (Chandler, AZ)
Assignee: Fusion Orthopedics USA, LLC
A61B17/0469A61B2017/0404
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,727,875
App. No.
18/674,560
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Surgical systems and methods for performing a syndesmosis repair can comprise an inserter, a medial button, a locking button, and a suture. The inserter can comprise a rod including a dorsal member slidably coupled to a plantar member. The medial button end can be housed in a cavity in the rod until it is released. The medial button and the locking button are coupled using a knotless arrangement.

Claims (39)

1 . A surgical apparatus comprising:

an inserter comprising:

a rod comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the rod is divided from the first end to the second end into a first rod member and a second rod member,

wherein the first rod member includes at least a portion of an exterior surface of the rod, and the second rod member includes at least a portion of the exterior surface of the rod;

wherein at least a portion of the second rod member is slidably coupled to at least a portion of the first rod member and is configured to slide between at least a first position and a second position; and

a medial button including at least two apertures.

2 . The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cavity formed through the first end of the rod, wherein the first rod member comprises a first portion of the cavity and the second rod member comprises a second portion of the cavity.

3 . The surgical apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cavity is closed when the second rod member is in the first position, and the cavity is open when the second rod member is in the second position.

4 . The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first member is flattened.

5 . The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a switch fixedly coupled to the second rod member.

6 . The surgical apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a safety pin removably coupled to the switch to prevent movement of the switch in at least one direction when coupled to the switch and to allow movement of the switch in at least one direction when removed from the switch.

7 . The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle comprising a body, wherein the handle is coupled to the rod.

8 . The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a locking button wherein the locking button comprises a face aperture, a first side aperture, and a second side aperture, wherein the face aperture, the first side aperture, and the second side aperture define a pocket.

9 . The surgical apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first side aperture includes a suture slide and the second side aperture includes a suture slide, wherein the suture slide inhibits a suture from contact with an intramedullary bone.

10 . The surgical apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a handle comprising a body including an aperture configured to hold the locking button.

11 . The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a suture.

12 . A surgical system comprising:

an inserter comprising:

a rod comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the rod is divided from the first end to the second end into a first rod member and a second rod member,

wherein the first rod member includes at least a portion of an exterior surface of the rod, and the second rod member includes at least a portion of the exterior surface of the rod;

wherein at least a portion of the second rod member is slidably coupled to at least a portion of the first rod member and is configured to slide between at least a first position and a second position;

a suture; and

a medial button including at least two apertures, wherein the medial button is releasably couplable to the rod, and wherein at least a portion of the medial button is configured to be contained within the cavity.

13 . The surgical system of claim 12 , further comprising a cavity formed through the first end of the rod, wherein the first rod member comprises a first portion of the cavity and the second rod member comprises a second portion of the cavity.

14 . The surgical system of claim 13 , further comprising a switch fixedly coupled to the second rod member.

15 . The surgical system of claim 14 , further comprising a locking button wherein the locking button comprises a face aperture, a first side aperture, and a second side aperture, wherein the face aperture, the first side aperture, and the second side aperture define a pocket.

16 . A method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a suture;

threading the suture through a medial button and a locking button;

obtaining a rod, wherein the rod comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the rod is divided from the first end to the second end into a first rod member and a second rod member, wherein the first rod member includes at least a portion of an exterior surface of the rod, and the second rod member includes at least a portion of the exterior surface of the rod;

wherein at least a portion of the second rod member is slidably coupled to at least a portion of the first rod member and is configured to slide between at least a first position and a second position.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

preparing at least one bone to receive at least a portion of the suture;

placing the rod, at least a portion of the suture, and a medial button through the at least one bone.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein:

the suture comprises a suture first end and a suture second end;

the medial button and the locking button are a distance apart;

the method further comprising:

shortening the distance between the medial button and the locking button.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2024
From: CUNDIFF, ADAM J.; PETERSON, NATHAN G.; JACOBSON, ELI W
To: FUSION ORTHOPEDICS USA, LLC
Reel/Frame 067524/0724 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250359865A1 · Nov 27, 2025
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