Endosteal tibial ligament fixation with adjustable tensioning

• US 20050070906A1
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Raymond E. Olsen, Ron Clark
• Original Assignee: Raymond E. Olsen, Ron Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Ron, Olsen, Raymond E.
• Application Number:
  US10/873,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20050070906A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/60
• 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 2002/0852 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 2002/087 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 system for endosteal tibial ligament fixation with adjustable tensioning is disclosed. A grasping hook located on a shaft is used to draw a ligament graft into a contoured drill hole formed in a bone. A series of slanted ridges on the shaft can pass in only one direction through a securing push nut residing in the contoured drill hole, resulting in an interference fit that secures the attachment system, while allowing the tension of the ligament graft to be adjusted.

Claims

1-94. -94. (Canceled)

95. A device for the fixation of a ligament or tendon implant to a bone of a patient comprising:

a flexible grasping means, configured for grasping a free end of the ligament or tendon implant;

tensioning means attached to the flexible grasping means for adjusting the tension of the implant when the grasping means is attached to the implant; and

means for securing the tensioning means to the bone when the implant is adjusted to a predetermined tension.

96. The device of claim 95, where the flexible grasping means comprises a flexible continuous loop attached to the tensioning means.

97. The device of claim 96, where the tensioning means further comprises a rotatable tensioning disc.

99. The device of claim 96, where the means for securing the implant comprises a screw that is attached to the bone through the rotatable tensioning disc.

100. The device of claim 96, where the tensioning means further comprises an eyebolt attached to a rotatable tensioning disc.

101. The device of claim 100, where the flexible continuous loop is attached to the eyebolt.

102. The device of claim 101, where the means for securing the implant comprises a screw that is attached to the bone through the rotatable tensioning disc.

103. The device of claim 95, where the flexible grasping means comprises a flexible strand that may be attached to the tensioning means.

104. The device of claim 103, where the tensioning means further comprises a tensioning disc and a cable collector.

105. The device of claim 104, where the cable collector may be crimped on the cable to hold the implant at a desired tension.

98. The device of 97, where the flexible continuous loop passes through holes in the rotatable tensioning disc.

106-121. -121. (Canceled)

122. A device for the fixation of a ligament or tendon implant to a bone of a patient comprising:

a flexible strand forming a loop configured for grasping a free end of the ligament or tendon implant for applying a tension to the implant; and

a matrix for fixing the implant to the bone;

wherein the matrix comprises a material that is formed in a liquid state for placement in the bone, and wherein said liquid solidifies via a chemical reaction.

123. The device of claim 122, further comprising a retaining member for retaining the matrix in the bone.

124. The device of claim 123, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one opening for receiving the flexible strand therethrough.

125. The device of claim 122, wherein the matrix comprises an osteoinductive substance.

126. The device of claim 122, wherein the matrix is comprised of a material configured to resorb into the bone over time.

127. A device for the fixation of a ligament or tendon implant to a bone of a patient comprising:

a matrix formed in a liquid state for joining with the bone, said matrix undergoing a chemical reaction to form a solid to fix the implant to the bone.

128. The device of claim 127, further comprising a retaining member for retaining the matrix in the bone.

129. The device of claim 127, wherein the matrix comprises an osteoinductive substance.

130. The device of claim 127, wherein the matrix is comprised of a material configured to resorb into the bone over time.

131. A method of attaching a ligament or tendon implant to the endosteal portion of a bone comprising the steps of:

(a) drilling a hole through the bone of a patient;

(b) inserting an attachment member through the hole, said attachment member comprising a grasping means for grasping a free end of the ligament or tendon implant;

(c) grasping the free end of the implant with the grasping means;

(d) pulling the implant into the hole;

(e) selecting a matrix that resides in a liquid state and is capable of solidifying; and

(f) placing the matrix into the hole while the matrix is in the liquid state to thereby secure the implant to the bone with the matrix.

132. The method of claim 131, further comprising:

(g) waiting for the matrix to solidify at least partially, before closing or suturing surgical openings in the patient.

133. The method of claim 131, further comprising the step of placing an osteoinductive substance in the matrix.

134. The method of claim 131, further comprising forming the matrix of a material configured to resorb into the bone over time.

135. The method of claim 131, further comprising the step of applying a known tension to the attachment member.

136. The method of claim 131, wherein step (b) comprises inserting a flexible strand through the hole.

137. The method of claim 131, further comprising the step of attaching the implant to an anatomical structure other then the bone.

138. The method of claim 131, placing a retaining member in the hole to hold the matrix in the hole.

139. The method of claim 131, further comprising the step of bringing a knee into extension before the matrix solidifies.

140. The method of claim 131, wherein step (d) comprises injecting the matrix into the hole.

141. The method of claim 131, wherein step (c) comprises looping a flexible strand around a bend in the implant.