Securing Element

• US 20080288070A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kokbing Lo
• Original Assignee: Kokbing Lo
• Inventors: Lo, Kokbing
• Granted Patent: US 9,492,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/13.14
• 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: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/045 snug fit within the anchor
• 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 2002/0864 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0073 Force-limiting means

Abstract

A securing element is intended for connecting a ligament to a bone part of a human or animal. The securing element comprises a wire or thread which is intended to be connected to the ligament. A clamping element of the securing element clamps'"'"' at least one part of the wire or thread in a releasable manner, for which purpose the clamping element comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part. The first clamping part is provided with a conical first surface and the second clamping part is provided with a corresponding conical second surface on a side facing the first clamping part, in order for the at least one part of the ligament coupling element to be clamped between the first and second surfaces. The clamping element can be actuated from outside the body.

Claims

1. Securing element for connecting a ligament to a bone part of a human or animal, comprising;

a ligament coupling element in wire, thread or ribbon form, which is intended to be connected to the ligament; and

a clamping element which is intended to be connected to the bone part, and which comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part being movable to the first clamping part, the first clamping part being provided with a first surface and the second clamping part being provided with a corresponding second surface on a side facing the first clamping part, for clamping at least part of the ligament coupling element between the first and second surfaces;

a stressing element engaging the first and the second clamping parts, the stressing element providing a force pressing the first and second surfaces towards one another; and

an actuating element for moving the first and second surface away from each other against the force provided by the stressing element.

3. Securing element according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is a pulling element for moving the first clamping part and the second clamping part relative to each other.

4. Securing element according to claim 3, wherein the pulling element is a flexible element in wire, thread or ribbon form.

5. Securing element according to claim 1, wherein the stressing element comprises a spring.

6. Securing element according to claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces are conical.

7. Securing element according to claim 1, wherein the first clamping part is substantially annular and the first surface is located on the inner circumference of the first clamping part.

8. Securing element according to claim 1, wherein the second clamping part comprises a body, with the second surface located on the outer side of the body.

9. Securing element according to claim 1, comprising a projecting collar part.

2. Securing element for connecting a ligament to a bone part of a human or animal, the securing element comprising a distal side and a proximal side, the securing element further comprising:

a ligament coupling element in wire, thread or ribbon form, which is intended to be connected to a ligament situated at the distal side of the securing element; and

a clamping element which is intended to be connected to the bone part, and which comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part being movable to the first clamping part, the first clamping part being provided with a first surface and the second clamping part being provided with a corresponding second surface on a side facing the first clamping part, for clamping at least part of the ligament coupling element extending between the distal and the proximal side of the securing element between the first and second surfaces;

a stressing element engaging the first and the second clamping parts, the stressing element providing a force pressing the first and second surfaces towards one another; and

an actuating element to be actuated at the proximal side of the securing element for moving the first and second surface away from one another against the force provided by the stressing element.

10. Method for connecting a ligament with a bone part of a human or animal, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a through channel in the bone part, the channel having a distal end and a proximal end;

(b) connecting a ligament coupling element in wire, thread or ribbon form with the ligament;

(c) providing the ligament coupling element through the channel from the distal end to the proximal end;

(d) providing a clamping element comprising a first clamping part and a second clamping part being movable to the first clamping part, the first clamping part being provided with a first surface, and the second clamping part being provided with a corresponding second surface on a side facing the first surface, for clamping at least part of the ligament coupling element between the first and the second surfaces;

(e) providing the ligament coupling element between the first and second surfaces;

(f) connecting one of the first and the second clamping part with the bone part;

(g) providing a first force for pressing the first and the second surfaces towards one another;

(h) providing a second force for moving the first and the second surfaces away from one another against the first force;

(i) setting a tension in the ligament coupling element;

(j) removing the second force for clamping the ligament coupling element between the first and the second surfaces.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the steps (h), (i) and (j) are repeated at least once after a predetermined time period.

12. Method according to claim 10, wherein the second force is a pulling force.

13. Method according to claim 10, wherein the second force is provided at the proximal side of the securing element.