Importance

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Abstract

Presented is a metallic cannulated rivet adapted for implantation in a bone mass through use of arthroscopic or open surgery for attachment of soft tissue thereto. The rivet in a first configuration is implanted, following which, a portion of the implanted rivet projecting from the bone site and penetrating the soft tissue is reformed in situ to clamp the soft tissue to the bone site. In a second aspect, the invention comprises the method and instrumentalities for effecting implantation of the rivet and reformation thereof in situ to mechanically clamp the soft tissue to the bone site. The method includes forming a small portal or incision to expose and prepare the bone site, torn or severed soft tissue is mobilized to intimately contact the bone site, the soft tissue is retained in proper position and a K-wire is advanced through the portal to penetrate the soft tissue and the bone mass to a predetermined depth and mark the point of implantation of the cannulated rivet. Thereafter, the rivet in its first configuration is advanced along the K-wire and inserted through the formed aperture in the soft tissue and anchored in the bone mass at the bone site with its proximate end projecting above the soft tissue. The head of the rivet is next reformed to clamp the soft tissue to the bone site, and the portal is closed.

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First Claim