GRAFT LIGAMENT ANCHOR AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A GRAFT LIGAMENT TO A BONE

• US 20020055780A1
• Filed: 02/09/1999
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph H. Sklar
• Original Assignee: Joseph H. Sklar
• Inventors: SKLAR, JOSEPH H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,533,816 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/13.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0829 without deformation of anchor parts, e.g. fixation screws on bone surface, extending barbs, cams, butterflies, spring-loaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0835 with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0864 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor elements, e.g. by additional screws in the anchor, anchor crimped around tendon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone

Abstract

A graft ligament anchor includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends. A flange is attached to the tubular body at the proximal end thereof and extends radially outwardly beyond the tubular body. A deformable wall is disposed in the tubular body bore and defines, at least in part, a chamber for retaining the graft ligament therein. An expansion device is configured for insertion into the tubular body axially of the tubular body, and for impinging upon the deformable wall to press the deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in the chamber, toward a wall of the bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body.

Claims

1. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends, said tubular body being adapted for placement in a bone tunnel proximate an opening thereof on a bone surface;

stop apparatus connected to said tubular body for preventing movement of said tubular body further into the bone tunnel after placement of said tubular body in the opening and the bone tunnel;

a deformable wall disposed in said tubular body bore and defining at least in part a chamber for receiving a graft ligament therein; and

an expansion device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body, for impinging upon said deformable wall so as to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said chamber, toward a wall of said bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body.

2. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said stop apparatus comprises a flange extending outwardly from a proximal end portion of said tubular body.

3. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 2 wherein said flange comprises a selected one of an annular flange, an interrupted annular flange, and a portion of an annular flange.

4. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 3 wherein said flange is disposed in a plane, and said tubular body is disposed such that an axis of said tubular body is at an acute angle to said plane.

5. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said stop apparatus comprises screw threads formed on an external wall of said tubular body.

6. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said expansion device comprises a wedge-shaped device.

7. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body is provided with openings extending through a side wall of said tubular body.

40. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body is provided with interior ridges disposed on said wall of said bore.

41. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body is expandable width-wise.

51. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 6 wherein said wedge-shaped device is provided with a textured surface.

52. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 6 wherein said wedge-shaped device comprises a screw.

53. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 6 wherein said wedge-shaped device comprises a mandrel.

54. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body is provided with a textured internal surface.

8. A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, a free end of the graft ligament extending out of the bone tunnel end opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends, said tubular body being adapted for placement in a bone tunnel proximate an opening thereof on a bone surface;

stop apparatus connected to said tubular body for preventing movement of said tubular body further into the bone tunnel after placement of said tubular body in the opening and the bone tunnel;

a deformable wall disposed in said tubular body bore and defining at least in part a chamber for receiving the graft ligament therein; and

an expansion device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body, for impinging upon said deformable wall so as to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said chamber, toward a wall of said bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body;

extending the graft ligament free end through said chamber;

placing said tubular body in the end opening and in the bone tunnel such that said stop apparatus engages the bone;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting said expansion device into said tubular body and advancing said expansion device therein to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said chamber, toward the wall of the bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

9. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends;

an annular flange attached to said tubular body at said proximal end thereof and extending radially outwardly beyond said body;

a deformable wall disposed in said tubular body bore and defining, at least in part, a chamber for receiving the graft ligament therein; and

an expansion device for insertion into said tubular body, axially of said body, for impinging upon said deformable wall so as to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said chamber, toward a wall of said bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body.

10. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said graft ligament anchor comprises a plurality of deformable walls, each defining at least in part a chamber, each of said chambers being adapted to retain a graft ligament therein.

11. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 10 wherein said expansion device comprises a wedge-shaped device for insertion between opposed ones of said deformable walls so as to press said opposed deformable walls outwardly from each other and toward said wall of said bore.

12. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 11 wherein said wedge-shaped device comprises a screw.

13. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said tubular body is provided with an opening extending through a side of said body and said chamber.

14. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 13 wherein said opening comprises an elongated slot.

15. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said annular flange is disposed in a plane, and said body is disposed such that an axis of said body is at an acute angle to said plane.

16. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 15 wherein said tubular body is provided with an opening extending through a side of said body and said chamber.

17. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein a pair of arms extend axially and proximally from said proximal end of said body, and said annular flange is fixed to proximal ends of said arms.

18. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 17 wherein said annular flange is disposed in a plane at an acute angle to an axis of said body.

19. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 18 wherein said body is provided with an opening through a side wall thereof.

20. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 17 wherein said body is provided with an opening through a side wall thereof and extending into said chamber.

21. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said expansion device is adapted to press the graft ligament in said chamber against said wall of said tubular body bore.

42. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said tubular body is provided with interior ridges disposed on said wall of said bore.

43. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said tubular body is expandable width-wise.

55. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 11 wherein said wedge-shaped device is provided with a textured surface.

56. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 11 wherein said wedge-shaped device comprises a mandrel.

57. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 9 wherein said tubular body is provided with a textured internal surface.

22. A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, a free end of the graft ligament extending out of the bone tunnel end opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends;

an annular flange attached to said tubular body at said proximal end thereof and extending radially outwardly beyond said body;

a deformable wall disposed in said tubular body bore and defining, at least in part, a chamber for receiving the graft ligament therein; and

an expansion device for insertion into the tubular body, axially of said body, for impinging upon the deformable wall so as to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said chamber, toward a wall of the bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body;

extending the graft ligament free end through said chamber;

placing said tubular body in the end opening and in the bone tunnel such that said annular flange engages the bone surface;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting said expansion device into the tubular body and advancing said expansion device therein to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said chamber, toward the wall of the bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

24. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said expansion device comprises a selected one of a screw and a mandrel.

25. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said tubular body is provided with openings extending through a side wall of said tubular body.

26. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said stop apparatus comprises a flange extending outwardly from a proximal end portion of said tubular body.

27. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said stop apparatus comprises screw threads on an external wall of said tubular body.

30. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 63 wherein said wedge-shaped device comprises a selected one of a screw and a mandrel.

31. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said tubular body is provided with openings extending through a side of said tubular body.

32. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said flange is disposed in a plane and said tubular body is disposed such that an axis of said tubular body is at an acute angle to said plane.

33. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said carrier device is provided with a detent extending outwardly from said carrier device and disposed proximate a proximal end of said carrier device, and said tubular body proximal end is provided with a recess for receiving said detent to prevent further advancement of said carrier device into said tubular body.

36. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 69 wherein said wedge-shaped device comprises a selected one of a screw and a mandrel.

37. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said tubular body is provided with openings extending through a side wall of said tubular body.

38. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said tubular body is provided with slots at the proximal end of the tubular body to facilitate turning of said tubular body by a screw driver, and said carrier device is provided with a detent extending outwardly from said carrier device, said slots being adapted to receive said detent to prevent further advancement of said carrier device into said tubular body.

44. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said external groove extends lengthwise of said carrier device and is provided with width-wise extending ridges for engaging the graft ligament.

45. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said tubular body is provided with interior ridges disposed on said internal wall of said tubular body.

46. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said tubular body is expandable width-wise.

47. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said tubular body is provided with interior ridges disposed in said bore.

48. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said tubular body is expandable width-wise.

49. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said external groove is provided with width-wise extending ridges for engaging the graft ligament.

50. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said tubular body is provided with interior ridges disposed in said bore.

58. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said expansion device is provided with a textured surface.

59. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said tubular body is provided with a textured internal surface.

60. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said carrier is provided with a textured external surface.

61. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 23 wherein said carrier device is of a length exceeding a length of said expansion device.

62. A method in accordance with claim 28 wherein providing a graft ligament anchor comprises providing said carrier device of a length exceeding a length of said tubular body, and placing said carrier device in said tubular body comprises extending a distal portion of said carrier device beyond a distal end of said tubular member, such that advancing said expansion device in said carrier device presses said distal portion of said carrier device toward an internal wall of the bone tunnel and thereby presses the graft ligament toward the internal wall of the bone tunnel.

63. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said expansion device comprises a wedge-shaped device.

64. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 64 wherein said wedge-shaped device is provided with a textured surface.

65. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said tubular body is provided with a textured internal wall.

66. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said carrier device is of a length exceeding a length of said tubular body.

67. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 29 wherein said carrier device is provided with an external textured surface.

68. A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein providing a graft ligament anchor comprises providing said carrier device of a length exceeding a length of said tubular body, and placing said carrier device in said tubular body comprises extending a distal portion of said carrier device beyond a distal end of said tubular member, such that advancing said expansion device in said carrier device presses said distal portion of said carrier device toward an internal wall of the bone tunnel and thereby presses the graft ligament toward the internal wall of the bone tunnel.

69. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said expansion device comprises a wedge-shaped device.

70. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 69 wherein said wedge-shaped device is provided with a textured surface.

71. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said tubular body is provided with an internal textured surface.

72. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said carrier device is provided with a textured external surface.

73. A graft ligament anchor according to claim 35 wherein said carrier device is of a length exceeding a length of said tubular body.

74. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein providing a graft ligament anchor comprises providing said carrier device of a length exceeding a length of said tubular body, and placing said carrier device in said tubular body comprises extending a distal portion of said carrier device beyond a distal end of said tubular member, such that advancing said expansion device in said carrier device presses said distal portion of said carrier device toward an internal wall of the bone tunnel and thereby presses the graft ligament toward the internal wall of the bone tunnel.

23. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends, said tubular body being adapted for placement in a bone tunnel proximate an opening therefor on a bone surface;

stop apparatus connected to said tubular body for preventing movement of said tubular body further into the bone tunnel after placement of said tubular body in the tunnel;

a carrier device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body and having an external groove therein for receiving a graft ligament, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier being expandable; and

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device channel when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for expanding said carrier device against an internal wall of said tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in said tubular body.

28. A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, a free end of the graft ligament extending out of the bone tunnel end opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends, said tubular body being adapted for placement in a bone tunnel proximate an opening therefor on a bone surface;

stop apparatus connected to said tubular body for preventing movement of said tubular body further into the bone tunnel after placement of said tubular body in the tunnel;

a carrier device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body and having an external groove therein for receiving a graft ligament, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier being expandable;

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device channel when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for expanding said carrier device against an internal wall of said tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in said tubular body;

extending the graft ligament free end through the tubular body;

placing said tubular body in the bone tunnel end opening and in the bone tunnel such that said stop apparatus engages said bone;

extending the ligament free end through said carrier device groove;

placing said carrier device in said tubular body;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting said expansion device into said carrier device and advancing said expansion device therein to press said carrier device, and hence the graft ligament received in said groove, toward an internal wall of said tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

29. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends;

a flange attached to said tubular body at said proximal end thereof and extending outwardly beyond said tubular body;

a carrier device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body and having a lengthwise-extending external groove for receiving a graft ligament therein, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier device having a deformable side wall; and

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device channel when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for impinging upon said deformable wall so as to press said deformable wall, and hence the ligament received in said carrier device groove, toward a wall of said tubular body bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in said tubular body.

34. A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, a free end of the graft ligament extending out of the bone tunnel end opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends;

a flange attached to said tubular body at said proximal end and extending outwardly beyond said body;

a carrier device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said body and having a lengthwise-extending external groove for receiving the ligament therein and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier device having a deformable side wall; and

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for impinging upon said deformable wall so as to press said deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said carrier groove, toward a wall of said tubular body bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body;

extending the ligament free end through the tubular body;

placing said tubular body in the bone tunnel end opening and in the bone tunnel such that said flange engages the bone surface;

extending the ligament free end through the carrier device groove;

placing said carrier device in said tubular body;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting said expansion device into said carrier device and advancing said expansion device therein to press the carrier device deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in said groove, toward an internal wall of said tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

35. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a tubular body having a bore therethrough, external threads along a length thereof, and proximal and distal ends;

a carrier device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said body and having a lengthwise-extending external groove for receiving the graft ligament therein, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier device having a deformable side wall; and

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for impinging upon said deformable wall to press said deformable wall, and hence the ligament received in said carrier device groove, toward a wall of said tubular body bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in said tubular body.

39. A method for securing a graft ligament in a tibia bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a tubular body having a bore therethrough, external threads along a length thereof, and proximal and distal ends;

a carrier device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said body and having a lengthwise-extending external groove for receiving the graft ligament therein, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier device having a deformable side wall;

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for impinging upon said deformable wall to press said deformable wall, and hence the ligament received in said carrier device groove, toward a wall of said tubular body bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in said tubular body;

screwing said tubular body into the tibia bone tunnel end opening and into the tibia bone tunnel;

extending the graft ligament through said tubular body and attaching said graft ligament in a femur bone tunnel in general alignment with the tibia bone tunnel;

extending the graft ligament through said carrier device groove;

placing the carrier device in the tubular body;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting the expansion device into the carrier device and advancing the expansion device therein to press the carrier device deformable wall, and hence the graft ligament received in the groove, toward internal walls of the tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

75. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends, said tubular body being adapted for placement in a bone tunnel proximate an opening thereof on a bone surface;

stop apparatus connected to said tubular body for preventing movement of said tubular body further into the bone tunnel after placement of said tubular body in the opening and the bone tunnel; and

an expansion device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body, for impinging upon the graft ligament so as to press the graft ligament toward the tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body.

76. A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, a free end of the graft ligament extending out of the bone tunnel end opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a tubular body having a bore therethrough and proximal and distal ends, said tubular body being adapted for placement in a bone tunnel proximate an opening thereof on a bone surface;

stop apparatus connected to said tubular body for preventing movement of said tubular body further into the bone tunnel after placement of said tubular body in the opening and the bone tunnel; and

an expansion device for insertion into said tubular body axially of said tubular body, for impinging upon the graft ligament so as to press the graft ligament toward the tubular body, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the tubular body;

extending the graft ligament free end through said tubular body;

placing said tubular body in the end opening and in the bone tunnel such that said stop apparatus engages the bone;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting said expansion device into said tubular body and advancing said expansion device therein to press the graft ligament toward the wall of the bore, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

77. A graft ligament anchor comprising:

a carrier device for insertion into a bone tunnel, said carrier having an external groove therein for receiving a graft ligament, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier being expandable; and

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device channel when said carrier device is in said tubular body, for expanding said carrier device against an internal wall of the bone tunnel, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.

78. A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel having an end opening on a bone surface, a free end of the graft ligament extending out of the bone tunnel end opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graft ligament anchor comprising;

a carrier device for insertion into the bone tunnel, said carrier having an external groove therein for receiving a graft ligament, and a central channel extending lengthwise therethrough, said carrier being expandable; and

an expansion device for insertion into said carrier device channel when said carrier device is in the bone tunnel, for expanding said carrier device against an internal wall of the bone tunnel, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel;

extending the ligament free end through said carrier device groove;

placing said carrier device in the bone tunnel;

pulling the graft ligament taut; and

inserting said expansion device into said carrier device and advancing said expansion device therein to press said carrier device, and hence the graft ligament received in said groove, toward an internal wall of the bone tunnel, whereby to fix the graft ligament in the bone tunnel.