Instrument for inserting graft fixation device

• US 6,447,517 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Depuy Mitek LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Bowman, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Application Number:
  US09/535,189
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 606/75, 606/72, 606/219, 606/220, 606/218, 606/216, 606/221, 606/139, 606/142, 128/899
• US Class Current: 606/75
• 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 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/92 Impactors or extractors, e.g. for removing intramedullary devices insertion or extraction of artificial joints A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0646 for insertion into cartillege, e.g. meniscus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2846 Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

An instrument for inserting graft fixation device. The fixation device is useful for affixing a tissue graft to a bone or other body surface. The graft fixation device comprises two implantation members connected by a connecting member. The fixation device can be combined with insertion members. The implantation members have longitudinal passageways therethrough. The instrument has an elongated member with a distal end. Removably mounted to the distal end is an end housing. A pair of insertion prongs for receiving a fixation device and insertion members are removably mounted in the end housing.

Claims

1. An instrument for inserting a graft fixation device into bone, said instrument comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and an outer surface;

outer screw threads extending out from the outer surface about the distal end;

a distal end surface adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member;

a hollow member having a cavity, a proximal end and a distal end, and an outer surface and an inner surface, said hollow member having an opening in the proximal end in communication with hollow cavity;

inner screw threads extending out from the inner surface of the hollow member;

a pair of spaced apart prong holes extending through the distal end of the hollow member, said prong holes being in communication with the cavity;

a retention groove extending into the inner surface of the distal end of the hollow member;

a pair of prongs, said prongs comprising elongated members having distal ends and proximal ends;

a point extending distally from the distal end of each prong;

a retention member mounted to the proximal end of each prong, the retention member having a proximal surface;

wherein the instrument is assembled by first inserting the prongs through the prong holes, such that the prongs extend through the prong holes, and the proximal retention members are contained within the retention groove, and the hollow member is then screwed onto the distal end of the elongated member, by engaging the mating inner threads with the outer threads, such that the distal end surface of the elongated member engages the proximal surface of each retention member.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the prongs have a first proximal section having a first diameter, and a second distal section having a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

3. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the prongs each have a longitudinal groove for receiving at least a section of a connecting member of a retention device.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the point of each prong comprises a piercing point.

5. The combination, comprising:

I. An instrument for inserting a graft fixation device into bone, said instrument comprising;

an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and an outer surface;

outer screw threads extending out from the outer surface about the distal end;

a distal end surface adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member;

a hollow member having a cavity, a proximal end and a distal end, and an outer surface and an inner surface, said hollow member having an opening in the proximal end in communication with hollow cavity;

inner screw threads extending out from the inner surface of the hollow member;

a pair of spaced apart prong holes extending through the distal end of the hollow member, said prong holes being in communication with the cavity;

a retention groove extending into the inner surface of the distal end of the hollow member;

a pair of prongs, said prongs comprising elongated members having distal ends and proximal ends;

a point extending distally from the distal end of each prong;

a retention member mounted to the proximal end of each prong, the retention member having a proximal surface;

wherein the instrument is assembled by first inserting the prongs through the prong holes, such that the prongs extend through the prong holes, and the proximal retention members are contained within the retention groove, and the hollow member is then screwed onto the distal end of the elongated member, by engaging the mating inner threads with the outer threads such that the distal end surface of the elongated member engages the proximal surface of each retention member; and

,

II. A graft fixation device disposed on the prongs of the instrument.