Self-tensioning soft tissue fixation device and method
First Claim
1. A device for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel, the device comprising:
- securing means having a proximal portion having means for attaching to the flexible element and a distal portion having engagement means;
bone tunnel fixation means having a bore therethrough and an outer surface adapted to movably engage a bone tunnel;
deformable biasing means positionable within the fixation means bore adjacent a proximal end thereof; and
a locking member dimensioned for movement within the fixation means bore and positionable adjacent a distal end thereof, having means for locking the engagement means thereto, the biasing means for biasing the locking member toward the bore distal end, and the securing means for causing a deformation of the biasing means indicative of a magnitude of an applied tension.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The device for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel includes a securing element that attaches to the flexible element. A bone tunnel fixation element has an outer surface that is adapted to movably engage the bone tunnel. A deformable biasing element is positionable within the fixation element bore adjacent the proximal end. A locking member is dimensioned for movement within the fixation element bore and is positionable adjacent the distal end thereof. The locking member is lockable to the securing element, and the biasing means is for biasing the locking member toward the bore'"'"'s distal end. Thus as a tension is applied to the securing means, a deformation of the biasing element is caused that is indicative of a magnitude of the applied tension. Therefore, a common element serves to perform pretensioning, and the need for a separate tensioning system is obviated.
250 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A device for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel, the device comprising:
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securing means having a proximal portion having means for attaching to the flexible element and a distal portion having engagement means; bone tunnel fixation means having a bore therethrough and an outer surface adapted to movably engage a bone tunnel; deformable biasing means positionable within the fixation means bore adjacent a proximal end thereof; and a locking member dimensioned for movement within the fixation means bore and positionable adjacent a distal end thereof, having means for locking the engagement means thereto, the biasing means for biasing the locking member toward the bore distal end, and the securing means for causing a deformation of the biasing means indicative of a magnitude of an applied tension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel, the method comprising the steps of:
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gripping a distal end of a flexible member; inserting the flexible member distal end into a bone tunnel; retaining the flexible member distal end within a fixation member movably affixed within the bone tunnel; biasing the flexible member end in a proximal direction with spring means housed within the fixation member; and determining a load upon the flexible member from a deformation of the spring means. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A device for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel, the device comprising:
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sleeve means having a proximal portion adapted to reside within a bone tunnel having a passage extending from a proximal end and a distal portion having means for resisting movement into the bone tunnel; securing means having a proximal portion having means for attaching to the flexible element and a distal portion having engagement means; sleeve fixation means having a bore therethrough and an outer surface adapted to movably engage the sleeve means passage; deformable biasing means positionable within the fixation means bore adjacent a proximal end thereof; and a locking member dimensioned for movement within the sleeve fixation means bore and positionable adjacent a distal end thereof, having means for locking the engagement means thereto, the biasing means for biasing the locking member toward the bore distal end, and the securing means for causing a deformation of a biasing means indicative of a magnitude of the applied tension. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a sleeve within a bone tunnel, the sleeve having a passage therethrough and means for resisting a movement into the bone tunnel at a distal end; gripping a distal end of a flexible member; inserting the flexible member distal end into a bone tunnel; retaining the flexible member distal end within a fixation member movably affixed within the sleeve; biasing the flexible member end in a proximal direction with spring means housed within the fixation member; and determining a load upon the flexible member from a deformation of the spring means. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A system for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel and for determining a load upon the load-bearing element, the system comprising:
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an affixing device comprising; securing means having a proximal portion having means for attaching to the flexible element and a distal portion having engagement means; bone tunnel fixation means having a bore therethrough and an outer surface adapted to movably engage a bone tunnel; deformable biasing means positionable within the fixation means bore adjacent a proximal end thereof; and a locking member dimensioned for movement within the fixation means bore and positionable adjacent a distal end thereof, having means for locking the engagement means thereto, the biasing means for biasing the locking member toward the bore distal end, and the securing means causing a deformation of the biasing means indicative of a magnitude of an applied tension; and an indicating driver comprising; an elongated driving portion having a bore therethrough and means at a first end for drivably engaging the fixation means; plunger means positioned for movement within the driving portion bore having a first end biased for protrusion from the driving portion first end and adapted for contacting the locking member; and indicator means positioned in spaced relation from the first end having means for indicating a distance between the driving portion first end and the plunger means first end, the distance indicative of a deformation of the biasing means. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for affixing a flexible load-bearing element within a bone tunnel and for determining a load upon the load-bearing element, the system comprising:
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an affixing device comprising; sleeve means having a proximal portion adapted to reside within a bone tunnel having a passage extending from a proximal end and a distal portion having means for resisting movement into the bone tunnel; securing means having a proximal portion having means for attaching to the flexible element and a distal portion having engagement means; sleeve fixation means having a bore therethrough and an outer surface adapted to movably engage the sleeve means passage; deformable biasing means positionable within the fixation means bore adjacent a proximal end thereof; and a locking member dimensioned for movement within the sleeve fixation means bore and positionable adjacent a distal end thereof, having means for locking the engagement means thereto, the biasing means for biasing the locking member toward the bore distal end, and the securing means for causing a deformation of the biasing means indicative of a magnitude of an applied tension; and an indicating driver comprising; an elongated driving portion having a bore therethrough and means at a first end for drivably engaging the fixation means; plunger means positioned for movement within the driving portion bore having a first end biased for protrusion from the driving portion first end and adapted for contacting the locking member; and indicator means positioned in spaced relation from the first end having means for indicating a distance between the driving portion first end and the plunger means first end, the distance indicative of a deformation of the biasing means. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification