Apparatus and method for ligament fixation

• US 20050038426A1
• Filed: 04/20/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kwan-Ho Chan
• Original Assignee: Kwan-Ho Chan
• Inventors: Chan, Kwan-Ho
• Granted Patent: US 7,485,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0403 Dowels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• 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 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• 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 2002/087 Anchor integrated into tendons, e.g. bone blocks, integrated rings
• 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 jamming retainer for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel without excessive sideways pressure on the ligament that may result in tissue necrosis the jamming retainer including a substantially rigid body with a bore or loop for receiving a ligament or tendon and a bore or ring for receiving a suture for towing the jamming retainer and ligament or tendon through a bone tunnel. Once positioned, the jamming retainer is fixed in the bone tunnel with an interference screw.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fixing a ligament or tendon in a bone tunnel comprising a jamming retainer adapted to retain the ligament or tendon, said jamming retainer being substantially rigid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said jamming retainer is fixable in a bone tunnel with an interference screw.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer having one or more of a longitudinal bore, a transverse bore or a ring for receiving a suture.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer including a loop for receiving a ligament or tendon.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said loop is pliable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer having a transverse bore for receiving a ligament or tendon.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said jamming retainer has a spherical shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer having a recess adapted to complement a shape of the ligament or tendon.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer having exterior threads.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said threads correspond to threads of an interference screw adapted to fix said jamming retainer in the bone tunnel.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer defining an external taper.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, said jamming retainer having a bore configured to receive a suture retainer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, said suture retainer having a shape complementary to said bore.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, said shape being tapered.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, said suture retainer and said bore being configured to bind suture received therebetween.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, said body having a second bore adapted to permit passage of suture from said bore.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the suture received between said suture retainer and said bore retains the ligament or tendon; and

said body is fixed in the bone tunnel;

whereby tension on the ligament or tendon urges said suture retainer into said bore.

18. A method for fixing a ligament or a tendon in a bone tunnel comprising:

retaining the ligament or tendon with a jamming retainer; and

securing the jamming retainer in the bone tunnel whereby substantial proximal migration of the jamming retainer is prohibited.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising pulling the jamming retainer through the bone tunnel with a suture.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising pushing the jamming retainer through the bone tunnel with a ligament inserter.

21. The method of claim 18, including:

connecting the ligament or tendon to the jamming retainer with a suture; and

knotting the suture.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising pulling the jamming retainer through the bone tunnel with one or more free ends of the suture.

23. The method of claim 18, including introducing the ligament or tendon into a loop or transverse bore in the jamming retainer.

24. The method of claim 18, including introducing an interference screw into the bone tunnel, the interference screw being configured to prohibit passage of the jamming retainer from the bone tunnel.

25. The method of claim 25, wherein the interference screw encroaches the wall of the bone tunnel.

26. The method of claim 25, said interference screw engaging the jamming retainer.

27. The method of claim 25, said interference screw threadingly engaging the jamming retainer.

28. The method of claim 25, said interference screw urging the jamming retainer into the wall of the bone tunnel.