Bioabsorbable bone block fixation implant

• US 5,984,966 A
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bionx Implants, Oy (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bionx Implants, Oy (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sherman, Mark, Jarvinen, Markku, Ohrling, Jyri, Kousa, Petteri, Kiema, Pia, Tormala, Pertti, Kaikkonen, Auvo
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/033,475
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 623/13, 623/16
• US Class Current: 623/13.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/087 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 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body

Abstract

The invention relates to pliable surgical implants manufactured of bioabsorbable (or biodegradable) polymer, copolymer, polymer alloy or composite and used for fixation of a bone block (graft) into a drillhole in a bone.

Claims

1. A surgical implant for fixing a bone block into a drillhole in a bone, said implant comprising:

at least one elongated body having walls and manufactured from bioabsorbable polymer, copolymer, polymer alloy or composite;

at least one gripping element on the elongated body, for locking the implant into the drillhole;

at least one slot on the elongated body;

two ailerons formed by the walls of the elongated body; and

a curved or slanting threshold surface on the elongated body, to prevent the bone block from slipping out of the drillhole.

2. A surgical implant according to claim 1, further comprising a finger-sleeve on the elongated body, for locating the bone block rigidly on the implant.

3. A surgical implant according to claims 1, wherein said slot has a fish-tail like cross-section.

4. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said at least one gripping element comprises at least one protuberance.

5. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said at least one gripping element comprises at least one thread.

6. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said at least one gripping element comprises at least one transverse ridge.

7. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said at least one gripping element comprises at least one barb.

8. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said elongated body is cylindrical in form.

9. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said elongated body is porous.

10. A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein said implant is capable of releasing a drug or other bioactive substance.

11. A method of inserting the surgical implant of claim 1 and a bone block into a drillhole in a bone, comprising the steps of:

a. attaching the bone block to the elongated body;

b. inserting the bone block and elongated body into the drillhole; and

c. locking the implant into the drillhole by means of the gripping means on the implant.

12. A method of inserting the surgical implant of claim 1 and a bone block into a drillhole in a bone, comprising the steps of:

a. inserting the bone block into the drillhole;

b. inserting the elongated body into the drillhole;

c. locking the implant into the drillhole by means of the gripping means on the implant.