초록 ▼

In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixation device including a sleeve member including an interior and an exterior surface along a length defined between a first end and a second end, and at least two openings positioned along the length and extending from the interior and through the ext

In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixation device including a sleeve member including an interior and an exterior surface along a length defined between a first end and a second end, and at least two openings positioned along the length and extending from the interior and through the exterior surface; and a filament including a first free end and a second free end and a length therebetween, the filament positioned relative to the sleeve member such that the free ends extend from the sleeve member at the first and second ends of the sleeve member, the filament being disposed inside the interior from the first end to a first opening, outside the sleeve member from the first opening to a second opening, and inside the interior from the second opening to the second end of the sleeve member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fixation device comprising a sleeve member including an interior and an exterior surface along a length defined between a first end surface and a second end surface, a longitudinal axis extending along the length through the interior and through the first and second end surfaces, and at least t

1. A fixation device comprising a sleeve member including an interior and an exterior surface along a length defined between a first end surface and a second end surface, a longitudinal axis extending along the length through the interior and through the first and second end surfaces, and at least two openings positioned along the length radially offset from the longitudinal axis and extending from the interior and through the exterior surface; and a filament including a first free end and a second free end and a length therebetween, the filament being disposed inside the interior and along the longitudinal axis from the first end surface to a first opening and inside the interior and along the longitudinal axis from a second opening to the second end surface of the sleeve member, and the first free end extends along the longitudinal axis and through the first end surface and the second free end extends along the longitudinal axis and through the second end surface. 2. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is substantially hollow. 3. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the sleeve member has at least four openings positioned along its length, such that the filament is disposed inside the interior from the first end to the first opening, outside the sleeve member from the first opening to a third opening, inside the interior from the third opening to a fourth opening, outside the sleeve member from the fourth opening to the second opening, and inside the interior from the second opening to the second end of the sleeve member. 4. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the sleeve member has at least six openings positioned along its length, such that the filament is disposed inside the interior from the first end to the first opening, outside the sleeve member from the first opening to a third opening, inside the interior from the third opening to a fourth opening, outside the sleeve member from the fourth opening to a fifth opening, inside the interior from the fifth opening to a sixth opening, outside the sleeve member from the sixth opening to the second opening, and inside the interior from the second opening to the second end of the sleeve member. 5. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the filament is adapted to be slidable through the interior surface of the sleeve member. 6. The fixation device of claim 5, wherein at least one of the filament and the interior surface includes a coating adapted to improve sliding of the filament through the interior surface. 7. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the sleeve includes a coating adapted to allow for tissue ingrowth. 8. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the filament includes a coating adapted to promote healing in adjacent tissue. 9. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is pliable and is expandable or compressible. 10. The fixation device of claim 9, wherein the filament is adapted to be slidable through the sleeve member when the sleeve member is expanded or compressed. 11. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the filament does not overlap itself within the interior surface of the sleeve member. 12. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the filament passes through the interior surface of the sleeve member in a single direction along the length of the sleeve member. 13. The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the filament further includes an at least one indicating marker along its length. 14. A fixation device comprising a sleeve member in an extended position including an interior and an exterior surface defined along a length and a longitudinal axis extending through the interior and through a first end surface and a second end surface, the first and second end surfaces being transverse to the longitudinal axis, and at least two openings positioned along the length through the exterior surface and radially offset from the longitudinal axis; and a filament comprising a first end and a second end and a length therebetween, the filament positioned relative to the sleeve member such that the filament enters the sleeve member through the first end surface and along the longitudinal axis, exits the sleeve member through one of the openings on the exterior surface of the sleeve, re-enters the sleeve member through the other opening on the exterior surface and into the interior and to a position on the axis, and exits the sleeve member through the second end surface and along the longitudinal axis, such that the filament passes through the interior of the sleeve member in a single direction and the filament is adapted to be slidable along its length through the interior of the sleeve member and along the length of the sleeve member. 15. The fixation device of claim 14, wherein the exterior surface of the sleeve member has at least four openings positioned along its length, such that the filament enters the interior through the first end, exits the sleeve member through one of the openings on the exterior surface, re-enters the sleeve member through a second opening on the exterior surface and into the interior, exits the sleeve member through a third opening on the exterior surface, re-enters the sleeve member through a fourth opening on the exterior surface and into the interior, and exits the interior through the second end of the sleeve member. 16. The fixation device of claim 15, wherein the exterior surface of the sleeve member has at least six openings positioned along its length, such that the filament enters the interior through the first end, exits the sleeve member through one of the openings on the exterior surface, re-enters the sleeve member through the second opening on the exterior surface and into the interior, exits the sleeve member through the third opening on the exterior surface, re-enters the sleeve member through the fourth opening on the exterior surface and into the interior, exits the sleeve member through a fifth opening on the exterior surface, re-enters the sleeve member through a sixth opening on the exterior surface and into the interior, and exits the interior through the second end of the sleeve member. 17. A system for securing a tissue to tissue, comprising the fixation device of claim 14 and an inserter having a distal end, wherein the distal end engages both a portion of the sleeve and a portion of the filament which has exited the sleeve member through one of the openings.