Bioabsorbable tissue tack with oval-shaped head and method of tissue fixation using the same

Abstract

A bioabsorbable, cannulated tissue tack having an oblong head is used in sutureless soft tissue fixation to bone, particularly in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. A plurality of ribs are formed along the shaft of the tack. Repair of the glenohumeral joint is performed by installing the tack through a hole formed through the soft tissue of the labrum and into the cancellous bone of the glenoid rim. Aligning the oblong head of the tack lengthwise along the glenoid rim provides a low profile that avoids articular impingement on the tack head.

1 . A bioabsorbable tissue tack for sutureless fixation of soft tissue to bone, comprising: 
 a cannulated, non-expandable shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;    a plurality of ribs formed circumferentially on the cannulated shaft and extending at least partially around the cannulated shaft; and    a cannulated, longitudinally oblong head, as viewed along a central axis of the shaft, disposed on the proximal end of the shaft.    
   
   
       2 . The bioabsorbable tissue tack according to  claim 1 , wherein the oblong head is disposed at an angle perpendicular to the central axis of the cannulated shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The bioabsorbable tissue tack according to  claim 1 , wherein the oblong head is disposed at a non-perpendicular angle to the central axis of the cannulated shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The bioabsorbable tissue tack according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two barbs disposed on the head, at least one barb disposed at each longitudinal end of the oblong head, the barbs having respective pointed tips extending toward the distal end of the shaft for engaging the soft tissue upon insertion of the tack into bone.  
   
   
       5 . The bioabsorbable tissue tack according to  claim 1 , wherein the ribs have a truncated conical shape with a surface sloped at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tack, the ribs have a major diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft of the tack, and the slots formed in the ribs do not extend into the shaft.  
   
   
       6 . The bioabsorbable tissue tack according to  claim 1 , wherein a slot is formed in each of the ribs, such that the ribs extend less than completely circumferentially around the shaft of the tack, and slots in adjacent ribs are circumferentially offset.  
   
   
       7 . A bioabsorbable tissue tack for sutureless fixation of soft tissue to bone, comprising: 
 a cannulated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;    a plurality of ribs formed on the cannulated shaft and extending at least partially circumferentially around the cannulated shaft; and    a cannulated oblong head disposed on the proximal end of the shaft.    
   
   
       8 - 10 . (canceled)