Sheaths For Implantable Fixation Devices

• US 20100222826A1
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Ek, Steven, Bojarski, Ray, Torrie, Paul Alexander, Harvie, Fraser
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/301
• 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 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/686 Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8861 Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0835 with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30914 Details of the mesh structure, e.g. disposition of the woven warp and weft wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30919 Sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/908 : Bone

Abstract

Sheaths for implantable fixation devices are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, an open end, a closed end, and a body interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.

Claims

1. A sheath for an implantable fixation device, the sheath comprising:

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device and including an open end and a closed end.

2. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the body defines a tube, the tube being sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.

3. The sheath of claim 2, wherein the tube is sized and shaped to snugly receive a shaft of a bone screw fixation device.

9. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the relieved wall comprises a mesh wall.

10. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the flexible body comprises a tube that defines at least one perforation in a circumferential side wall of the tube.

11. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the flexible body includes an interior that is flexible such that, when the fixation device is inserted into the body, the body flexibly expands to allow the fixation device to fit snugly within the body.

4. A combination comprising:

a sheath including;

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a fixation device and including an open end and a closed end; and

the fixation device, wherein the fixation device is a bone screw, the bone screw having a shaft sized and shaped to fit within the interior of the sheath.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the shaft of the bone screw fits snugly within the interior of the sheath.

6. The combination of claim 4, wherein the shaft includes generally rounded screw threads.

7. The combination of claim 4, wherein the body defines a tube, the tube being sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.

12. The combination of claim 4, wherein the relieved wall comprises a mesh wall.

13. The combination of claim 4, wherein the flexible body comprises a tube that defines at least one perforation in a circumferential side wall of the tube.

14. The combination of claim 4, wherein the flexible body includes an interior that is flexible such that, when the fixation device is inserted into the body, the body flexibly expands to allow the fixation device to fit snugly within the body.

8. A combination comprising:

a sheath including;

a flexible body defining a tube having an open end and a closed end, the tube defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a fixation device and a soft tissue graft; and

the fixation device, the fixation device configured to be received within the sheath such that the fixation device extends over a majority of the length of the tube.

15. The combination of claim 8, wherein the body includes a relieved wall.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the relieved wall comprises a mesh wall.

17. The combination of claim 8, wherein the tube defines at least one perforation in a circumferential side wall of the tube.

18. The combination of claim 8, wherein the interior of the tube is flexible such that, when the fixation device and the soft tissue graft are inserted into the tube, the tube flexibly expands to allow the fixation device and the soft tissue graft to fit snugly within the tube.

19. A sheath for an implantable fixation device, the sheath comprising:

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device and including an open and closed end,

wherein the body defines a tube, the tube being sized and shaped to snugly receive a shaft of a bone screw fixation device.

20. A sheath for an implantable fixation device, the sheath comprising:

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device,

wherein the body defines a tube, the tube being sized and shaped to receive the fixation device and including an open end and a closed end.

21. A combination comprising:

a sheath including;

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a fixation device and an open end and a closed end; and

the fixation device.

22. A combination comprising:

a sheath including;

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a fixation device and including an open end and a closed end, and

the fixation device, wherein the relieved wall comprises a mesh wall.

23. A sheath for an implantable fixation device, the sheath comprising:

a flexible body having a relieved wall, the body defining an interior sized and shaped to receive the fixation device and including an open end and a closed end, wherein the relieved wall comprises a mesh wall.