Method and implant for securing ligament replacement into the knee

• US 20050149187A1
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Clark, Ron, Olsen, Raymond E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/13.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1675 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1714 for applying tendons or ligaments implements for applying tendons or ligaments A61F2/0805
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1764 for the knee
• 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 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/909 Bone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer

Abstract

A surgical method and implant for directing and securing a replacement ligament into the femur or tibia of the knee. A transverse tunnel may be formed in the femur approximately perpendicular to a femoral tunnel. A flexible strand passing through the transverse tunnel may be used to draw the replacement ligament into the femoral tunnel. The implant may then be placed into the transverse tunnel and through the replacement ligament to secure the replacement ligament in place. The implant may include an eyelet to receive the flexible strand and a tapered portion forming a shoulder to prevent the implant from being inserted too far into the transverse tunnel. The implant may also have a multi-angular configured portion to secure the implant within the transverse tunnel through an interference fit.

Claims

1. An implant for securing and positioning a replacement ligament in a bone tunnel of a receptor bone, said implant comprising:

a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, wherein a cross sectional dimension of said implant at said proximal end is greater than a cross sectional dimension of said implant at said distal end;

said implant having an opening at said distal end extending through said implant in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis;

wherein said implant is configured to receive a strand in said opening to position said replacement ligament against said implant for securing said replacement ligament in said bone tunnel; and

wherein said implant is sized to be received entirely within said receptor bone.

2. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a multi-angular portion at said proximal end, said multi-angular portion having a polygonal cross section configured to be inserted within said bone tunnel.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein said multi-angular portion has a fitting disposed thereon for attaching a driving member.

4. The implant of claim 2, wherein said multi-angular portion forms a plurality of ridges extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

5. The implant of claim 2, wherein said polygonal cross section is substantially square.

6. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a body portion having a substantially uniform cross section.

7. The implant of claim 6, wherein said body portion is substantially cylindrical.

8. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a tapered portion which tapers to form a shoulder on said implant between said proximal end and said distal end.

9. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a distal portion extending along said longitudinal axis at said distal end of said implant.

10. The implant of claim 9, wherein said distal portion has a tapered configuration which reduces in cross-sectional area toward said distal end.

11. The implant of claim 2, further comprising a body portion having a substantially cylindrical configuration adjoining said multi-angular portion.

12. The implant of claim 11, further comprising a tapered portion adjoining said body portion, said tapered portion tapering to form a shoulder.

13. The implant of claim 12, further comprising a distal portion adjoining said tapered portion at said distal end of said implant, said distal portion having a tapered configuration which reduces in cross-sectional area toward said distal end of said implant.

14. The implant of claim 13, wherein said tapered portion has a length that is less than one fourth a length of said distal portion.

15. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is made of metal.

16. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is made of a polymer.

17. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is made of a bone material.

76. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is characterized by an absence of threads.

77. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is substantially solid characterized by an absence of a cannulation along said longitudinal axis of said implant.

18-32. -32. (canceled)

33. An implant for securing and positioning a replacement ligament in a bone tunnel of a receptor bone, said implant comprising:

a body portion, a distal portion, and a tapered portion residing between said body portion and said distal portion, said tapered portion having a taper such that a cross section of said tapered portion reduces in area from said body portion toward said distal portion, the implant having a rate of taper that is greater at said tapered portion than at said body portion and said distal portion such that the tapered portion forms a shoulder between the body portion and the distal portion;

wherein said shoulder is configured and positioned a predetermined distance from a proximal-most end of the body portion to thereby engage in contact against an annular seat formed within said receptor bone, to thereby limit an insertion depth of the implant within said receptor bone; and

wherein said implant is substantially solid characterized by an absence of a cannulation along a longitudinal axis of said implant.

34. The implant of claim 33, further comprising a multi-angular portion at a proximal end of said implant, said multi-angular portion having a polygonal cross section configured to be inserted within said receptor bone to fix said implant within said receptor bone with an interference fit.

35. The implant of claim 34, wherein said multi-angular portion has a fitting disposed thereon for attaching a driving member.

36. The implant of claim 34, wherein said multi-angular portion forms a plurality of ridges extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said implant.

37. The implant of claim 34, wherein said polygonal cross section is substantially square.

38. The implant of claim 33, wherein said body portion is substantially cylindrical.

39. The implant of claim 33, wherein said tapered portion has a length that is less than one fourth a length of said distal portion.

41. The implant of claim 33, further comprising an opening in said distal portion.

42. The implant of claim 41, wherein said opening extends through said distal portion in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said implant.

43. The implant of claim 33, wherein said body portion has a substantially smooth surface characterized by an absence of threads.

44. The implant of claim 33, wherein said implant is made of metal.

45. The implant of claim 33, wherein said implant is made of a polymer.

46. The implant of claim 33, wherein said implant is made of a bone material.

40. (canceled)

47. An implant for securing and positioning a replacement ligament in a bone tunnel of a receptor bone, said implant comprising:

a multi-angular portion comprising a first end and a second end, said multi-angular portion having a polygonal cross section forming a plurality of longitudinal ridges extending between said first end and said second end; and

a cylindrical body portion adjoining said second end of said multi-angular portion;

wherein a radial dimension of said multi-angular portion at a point between said ridges is substantially the same as a radial dimension of said body portion to facilitate insertion of said multi-angular portion within said receptor bone.

48. The implant of claim 47, wherein a radial dimension of said multi-angular portion at said ridges is greater than said radial dimension of said body portion to allow said multi-angular portion to form an interference fit between said implant and said receptor bone.

49. The implant of claim 47, wherein said multi-angular portion has a fitting disposed thereon for attaching a driving member.

50. The implant of claim 47, wherein said polygonal cross section is substantially square.

54. The implant of claim 47, wherein said body portion has a substantially smooth surface, characterized by an absence of threads, and wherein said body portion is solid characterized by an absence of openings therein.

55. The implant of claim 47, wherein said implant is made of metal.

56. The implant of claim 47, wherein said implant is made of a polymer.

57. The implant of claim 47, wherein said implant is made of a bone material.

58. The implant of claim 47, wherein a substantially smooth interface is formed between said multi-angular portion and said body portion at said point between said ridges.

78. The implant of claim 47, wherein said implant is sized to be received entirely within a knee joint of said receptor bone.

79. The implant of claim 47, wherein said implant is characterized by an absence of threads.

51-53. -53. (canceled)

59-75. -75. (canceled)