Biodegradable interference screw and tool for attaching a transplant to a bone

• US 7,261,716 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg
• Inventors: Strobel, Michael, Weiler, Andreas, Timmermans, Andre
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRANDT, ADAM CURTIS
• Application Number:
  US09/745,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20010007074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,440 Days
• Field of Search: 606/73, 606/75, 606/60, 606/72, 606/77, 606/232, 606/104, 623/13.12, 623/13.14, 623/13.17, 623/13.18, 411418-420, 411/405
• US Class Current: 606/314
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8615 at the central region of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/862 at the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8625 Shanks, i.e. parts contacting bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8645 Headless screws, e.g. ligament interference screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8877 characterised by the cross-section of the driver bit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8883 the driver bit acting on the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• 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 2002/0841 Longitudinal channel for insertion tool running through the whole tendon anchor, e.g. for accommodating bone drill, guidewire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone

Abstract

A biodegradable interference screw for directly affixing a transplant to a bone, the interference screw being provided with at least one longitudinal groove designed to co-act with a tool for insertion of and if necessary, removal of the interference screw from an opening provided in the bone to receive both the transplant and the interference screw.

Claims

1. An interference screw for anchoring a transplant to a bone comprising:

a screw body made of a biodegradable material, said screw body including a head and a shaft and at least one axially extending groove substantially the length of said screw body and cut into an outer side of said screw body;

said screw head having a recess located therein;

a tool for inserting the screw into an opening in the bone, said tool including a drive element for insertion into said at least one axially extending groove;

said tool having a protrusion corresponding to said recess in the screw head for centering said tool with respect to said screw body during insertion;

said screw body adapted to contact the transplant positioned between said screw body and a side of the opening in the bone to anchor said transplant to said bone.

2. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein said at least one drive element extends substantially the length of said at least one axially extending groove.

3. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein a depth of the at least one axially extending groove is such that the at least one drive element of said tool lies within the at least one axially extending groove and does not extend beyond an outer periphery of said screw body.

4. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein a depth of the at least one axially extending groove is such that the at least one drive element of said tool is housed within the at least one axially extending groove without extending radially beyond a threading of said shaft.

5. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein said recess is configured as a channel completely passing through said screw body.

6. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the at least one axially extending groove is open axially at said screw head.

7. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein a bridge is provided for bridging the at least one axially extending groove in a circumferential direction.

8. The interference screw according to claim 7 wherein said bridge is provided in said screw body.

9. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein a bridge is provided for bridging the at least one axially extending groove in an circumferential direction of said screw body, said bridge is formed by an outer threading of said shaft.

10. The interference screw according to claim 1 wherein the transplant is selected from the group consisting of:

a tendon, a ligament, and combinations thereof.

11. An interference screw for anchoring a transplant to a bone comprising:

a screw body made of a biodegradable material, said screw body including a head and a shaft and at least three axially extending grooves;

a tool for inserting the screw into an opening in the bone, said tool including at least three drive elements for insertion into said at least three axially extending grooves;

said screw body adapted to contact the transplant positioned between said screw body and a side of the opening in the bone to anchor said transplant to said bone;

said at least three axially extending grooves cut into an outer side of said screw body.

12. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein said at least three axially extending grooves are substantially the length of said screw body.

13. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein said at least three drive elements extend substantially the length of said at least three axially extending grooves.

14. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein a depth of the at least three axially extending grooves is such that the at least three drive elements of said tool lies within the at least three axially extending grooves and does not extend beyond an outer periphery of said screw body.

15. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein a depth of the at least three axially extending grooves is such that the at least three drive elements of said tool is housed within the at least three axially extending grooves without extending radially beyond a threading of said shaft.

16. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein the at least three axially extending grooves are open axially at said screw head.

17. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein a bridge is provided for bridging at least one of the at least three axially extending grooves in a circumferential direction.

18. The interference screw according to claim 17 wherein said bridge is provided in said screw body.

19. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein a bridge is provided for bridging the at least one of the at least three axially extending grooves in an circumferential direction of said screw body, said bridge is formed by an outer threading of said shaft.

20. The interference screw according to claim 11 wherein the transplant is selected from the group consisting of:

a tendon, a ligament, and combinations thereof.