Tensioning means for prosthetic devices

• US 5,108,433 A
• Filed: 02/22/1991
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Butler, David L., Grood, Edward S., Van Kampen, Craig L., May, Steven J., Noyes, Frank R., Hoffman, Steven D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US07/660,294
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 623/13, 623/16, 606/72-75, 606/90
• US Class Current: 623/13.13
• 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 2002/087 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel

Abstract

This invention provides improved prosthetic devices for the replacement of a ligament or a tendon. The tension borne by the prosthetic ligament or tendon can be readily increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of the device to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament or tendon from the other components of the device.

Claims

1. A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector are attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises:

an anchor adapted to be attached to living bone and having walls defining a socket;

a pin comprising a shaft, a head adapted to engage the socket, and a threaded end opposite the head; and

a cylinder comprising a body, which body (i) has a threaded bore therein, the threaded bore being adapted to engage the threaded end of the pin, and (ii) comprises means for engaging the prosthetic ligament,

the device being further characterized in that there exists access to the head of the pin to facilitate adjustment of the adjustable connector,

wherein the socket and the head are rounded, permitting swivel movement of the pin.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the means for engaging the prosthetic ligament is a ring.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the body of the cylinder has flutes on its outer surface, which flutes are adapted to impart and/or engage corresponding recesses in a bone tunnel.

4. A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector ar attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises:

a spool having a ratchet plate attached and having means for engaging the prosthetic ligament;

an attachment plate adapted to be attached to living bone and having a mating surface adapted to engage the ratchet plate; and

means for fastening the spool to the attachment plate which means can be either partially or fully engaged;

whereby

when the means for fastening is partially engaged, the spool can be rotated to adjust the tension on the prosthetic ligament, and when the means for fastening is fully engaged the spool cannot rotate.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the ratchet plate comprises a polygonal plate and the mating surface is a polygonal recess.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the means for fastening is a holding screw.

7. A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector are attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises:

a cleat plate adapted to be attached to living bone and having a plurality of cleats thereon, the cleats being adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein

there exist a plurality of routes around the cleats for the prosthetic ligament, leading to a point of engagement between the cleat plate and the prosthetic ligament, each route having a different path length and hence causing a different tension on the prosthetic ligament.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the cleat plate further comprises a guide hole.