Apparatus and method for ligament fixation

• US 6,562,043 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1999
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kwan-Ho Chan
• Original Assignee: Kwan-Ho Chan
• Inventors: Chan, Kwan-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Application Number:
  US09/315,918
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 606/60, 606/62, 606/63, 606/64, 606/72, 606/73, 623/13
• US Class Current: 606/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0403 Dowels other bone dowels A61B17/68; dowels for connecting prosthetic parts A61F2002/30433
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0448 Additional elements on or within the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• 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 2002/0835 with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• 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 2002/087 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

Abstract

A jamming retainer for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel without excessive sideways pressure on the ligament that may result in tissue necrosis, the jamming retainer including a substantially rigid body with a bore or loop for receiving a ligament or tendon and a bore or ring for receiving a suture for towing the jamming retainer and ligament or tendon through a bone tunnel. Once positioned, the jamming retainer is fixed in the bone tunnel with an interference screw.

Claims

1. An apparatus for augmenting an interference screw fixation of a ligament in a bone tunnel, wherein the interference screw engages a wall of the bone tunnel and engages the ligament in the bone tunnel, and whereby resistance to slippage of the ligament is improved, said apparatus comprising a jamming retainer adapted to retain the ligament, said jamming retainer being adapted for disposition in the bone tunnel, distally of the ligament, and such that upon disposition of the interference screw to lock the ligament in the bone tunnel, said jamming retainer is adapted to be engaged by the interference screw to prevent proximal migration of said jamming retainer, said jamming retainer being substantially rigid, said jamming retainer having a recess adapted to complement a shape of the ligament.