Composite interference screw for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, and other apparatus for making attachments to bone

• US 20080154314A1
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Healicoil, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Healicoil, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: McDevitt, Dennis M.
• Application Number:
  US11/893,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154314A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/304
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8095 Wedge osteotomy devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30744 End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/389 Tibial components A61F2/3868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0841 Longitudinal channel for insertion tool running through the whole tendon anchor, e.g. for accommodating bone drill, guidewire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30266 wedge-shaped parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30299 umbrella-shaped or mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30736 Augments or augmentation pieces, e.g. wedges or blocks for bridging a bone defect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 : Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel

Abstract

An interference screw comprising:

• • an open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the open helical coil through the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil; and
  • at least one runner disposed within the internal volume and connected to multiple turns of the open helical coil.

Claims

1. An interference screw comprising:

an open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the open helical coil through the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil; and

at least one runner disposed within the internal volume and connected to multiple turns of the open helical coil.

2. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the interference screw further comprises a nose disposed at the distal end of the open helical coil.

3. An interference screw according to claim 2 wherein the nose is tapered.

4. An interference screw according to claim 2 wherein the nose is formed integral with the open helical coil.

5. An interference screw according to claim 4 wherein the nose is formed as a solid body having a bore formed therein, wherein the bore is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the open helical coil.

6. An interference screw according to claim 5 wherein the nose includes surface threads which form a continuation of the open helical coil, with the space between the surface threads of the nose being filled by the solid body of the nose.

7. An interference screw according to claim 2 wherein the interference screw further comprises a cap disposed at the proximal end of the open helical coil.

8. An interference screw according to claim 7 wherein the cap is formed separately from the open helical coil, and further wherein the cap is secured to the open helical coil during a subsequent manufacturing step.

9. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the at least one runner is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the open helical coil.

10. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein there are two runners.

11. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein there are three runners.

12. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the at least one runner is sized so as to close off an insignificant portion of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil, whereby to substantially not affect the communication of the internal volume with the region exterior to the open helical coil.

13. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the at least one runner is sized so as to close off less than fifty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

14. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the at least one runner is sized so as to close off less than twenty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

15. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the interference screw comprises a plurality of runners.

16. An interference screw according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of runners are sized so as to collectively close off an insignificant portion of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil, whereby to substantially not affect the communication of the internal volume with the region exterior to the open helical coil.

17. An interference screw according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of runners are sized so as to collectively close off less than fifty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

18. An interference screw according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of runners are sized so as to collectively close off less than twenty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

19. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the open helical coil is made out of a non-absorbable material.

20. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the open helical coil is made out of an absorbable material.

21. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the interference screw further comprises a nose disposed at the distal end of the open helical coil, and further wherein the open helical coil and the nose are formed out of the same material.

22. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the interference screw further comprises a cap disposed at the proximal end of the open helical coil, and further wherein the open helical coil and the cap are formed out of the same material.

23. An interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the interference screw further comprises an insert disposed within the internal volume.

24. An interference screw according to claim 23 wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material.

25. An interference screw according to claim 24 wherein the bone scaffold material comprises a resorbable polymer.

26. An interference screw according to claim 23 wherein the insert has an external geometry which matches the internal cross-sectional geometry of the interference screw.

27. An interference screw according to claim 23 wherein the open helical coil comprises a generally cylindrical internal volume, wherein the insert comprises a generally cylindrical external geometry, and further wherein the insert includes at least one groove for receiving the at least one runner.

28. An interference screw according to claim 23 wherein the insert has at least one perforation.

29. An interference screw according to claim 23 wherein the open helical coil and the insert are formed out of different materials.

30. An interference screw according to claim 23 wherein the insert is formed separately from the open helical coil, and further wherein the insert is positioned within the internal volume during a subsequent manufacturing step.

31. An interference screw according to claim 30 wherein the interference screw further comprises a cap disposed at the proximal end of the open helical coil, and further wherein the cap is secured to the open helical coil after the insert is positioned within the internal volume.

32. A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising:

providing an interference screw comprising;

an open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the open helical coil through the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil; and

at least one runner disposed within the internal volume and connected to multiple turns of the open helical coil;

forming a bone tunnel in the bone, and providing a graft ligament;

inserting the graft ligament into the bone tunnel; and

inserting the interference screw into the bone tunnel so as to secure the graft ligament to the bone.

33. A bone cage comprising:

an open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the open helical coil through the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil; and

at least one runner disposed within the internal volume and connected to multiple turns of the open helical coil.

34. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the bone cage further comprises a cap disposed at the proximal end of the open helical coil.

35. A bone cage according to claim 34 wherein the cap is formed separately from the open helical coil, and further wherein the cap is secured to the open helical coil during a subsequent manufacturing step.

36. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the at least one runner is sized so as to close off an insignificant portion of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil, whereby to substantially not affect the communication of the internal volume with the region exterior to the open helical coil.

37. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the at least one runner is sized so as to close off less than fifty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

38. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the at least one runner is sized so as to close off less than twenty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

39. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the bone cage comprises a plurality of runners.

40. A bone cage according to claim 39 wherein the plurality of runners are sized so as to collectively close off an insignificant portion of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil, whereby to substantially not affect the communication of the internal volume with the region exterior to the open helical coil.

41. A bone cage according to claim 39 wherein the plurality of runners are sized so as to collectively close off less than fifty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

42. A bone cage according to claim 39 wherein the plurality of runners are sized so as to collectively close off less than twenty percent of the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil.

43. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the bone cage further comprises a cap disposed at the proximal end of the open helical coil, and further wherein the open helical coil and the cap are formed out of the same material.

44. A bone cage according to claim 33 wherein the bone cage further comprises an insert disposed within the internal volume.

45. A bone cage according to claim 44 wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material.

46. A bone cage according to claim 45 wherein the bone scaffold material comprises a resorbable polymer.

47. A bone cage according to claim 44 wherein the insert has an external geometry which matches the internal cross-sectional geometry of the bone cage.

48. A bone cage according to claim 44 wherein the open helical coil and the insert are formed out of different materials.

49. A bone cage according to claim 48 wherein the helical coil is formed out of a material having substantial strength, and further wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material.

50. A method for fusing together two portions of bone, the method comprising:

providing a bone cage comprising;

an open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the open helical coil through the spacing between the turns of the open helical coil; and

at least one runner disposed within the internal volume and connected to multiple turns of the open helical coil;

forming a bone tunnel in the two portions of bone; and

inserting the bone cage into the bone tunnel so as to secure the two bone portions in position relative to one another while fusion occurs.

51. A bone cage comprising:

a cage frame having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, wherein the cage frame has a generally rectangular exterior geometry and the internal volume has a generally rectangular geometry, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the cage frame through at least one window formed in the cage frame; and

an insert disposed within the internal volume;

wherein the cage frame is formed out of a material having substantial strength, and further wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material.

52. A bone cage according to claim 51 wherein the bone cage further comprises a cap disposed at the proximal end of the cage frame, and further wherein the cap is secured to the cage frame after the insert is positioned within the internal volume.

53. A method for fusing together two portions of bone, the method comprising:

providing a bone cage comprising;

a cage frame having a proximal end and a distal end aligned along a longitudinal axis and defining an internal volume, wherein the cage frame has a generally rectangular exterior geometry and the internal volume has a generally rectangular geometry, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the cage frame through at least one window formed in the cage frame; and

an insert disposed within the internal volume;

wherein the cage frame is formed out of a material having substantial strength, and further wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material;

forming a bone tunnel in the two portions of bone; and

inserting the bone cage into the bone tunnel so as to secure the two bone portions in position relative to one another while fusion occurs.

54. An osteotomy wedge comprising:

a wedge frame defining a wedge-shaped internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the wedge frame through a plurality of apertures formed in the wedge frame; and

an insert disposed within the internal volume;

wherein the wedge frame is formed out of a material having substantial strength, and further wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material.

55. A method for performing an open wedge osteotomy, the method comprising:

providing an osteotomy wedge comprising;

a wedge frame defining a wedge-shaped internal volume, with the internal volume communicating with the region exterior to the wedge frame through a plurality of apertures formed in the wedge frame; and

an insert disposed within the internal volume;

wherein the wedge frame is formed out of a material having substantial strength, and further wherein the insert is formed out of a bone scaffold material;

forming a wedge-shaped opening in the bone; and

inserting the osteotomy wedge into the wedge-shaped opening in the bone.