OPENTECHNICAL PUBLICATION
OT-2026-000003227

Soft tissue screw, delivery device, and method

Published: 2026-09-15T19:52:34.115020Z
Permanent URL: https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000003227
Categories: Tools & Tooling > Clamping Tools

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ABSTRACT

A fastener, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tear in
soft tissue of a patient, such as a meniscal tear in a knee. The fastener has
a variable-pitch helical protrusion along a central portion that decreases
from the distal end to the proximal end, for bringing two sides of the tear
into apposition as the fastener is advanced across the two sides of the tear
in a screwing motion. A buttress form of helical protrusion is used for
resisting axial forces from pulling the fastener out of the tear and from
pulling the two sides of the tear apart. The fastener material preferably is a
biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic plastic that is specifically designed
to biodegrade generally within the time span of the healing process. A
delivery device for introducing the fastener is also provided that includes an
elongated needle rotationally coupled with the fastener, the turning of which
turns the fastener, advancing the fastener into the tissue. The method of
repairing the tear entails manipulating the fastener/delivery device system
adjacent and normal to the tear axis and driving the fastener across the tear.

1. Drawings

[0001] Sheet 1.

[0002] Sheet 2.

[0003] Sheet 3.

[0004] Sheet 4.

[0005] Sheet 5.

[0006] Sheet 6.

[0007] Sheet 7.

[0008] Sheet 8.

[0009] Sheet 9.

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OpenTechnical publication OT-2026-000003227
Published 2026-09-15T19:52:34.115020Z
https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000003227