Sheaths for implantable fixation devices

• US 7,279,008 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Torrie, Paul Alexander, Bojarski, Raymond A., Harvie, Fraser, Brown, Charles H., Ferragamo, Michael C., Bourque, Bernard J., Blough, Rebecca A., Ek, Steve, Graf, Ben K.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott; Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blanco; Javier G.
• Application Number:
  US10/357,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 606151-152, 623/1.27, 623/1.35, 623/12.2, 623/13.11, 623/13.12, 623/13.13, 623/13.14, 623/13.15, 623/13.16, 623/13.17, 623/13.18, 623/13.19
• US Class Current: 623/13.15
• 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 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/686 Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8861 Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• 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 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• 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 2002/0882 Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30914 Details of the mesh structure, e.g. disposition of the woven warp and weft wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30919 : Sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 : Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body

Abstract

A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a sheath for organizing soft tissue, including

a fixation device including a shaft;

a first tube including a flexible body sized and shaped to conform to the shape of the shaft of the fixation device when the fixation device is received therein; and

at least one second tube coupled to the first tube, the second tube including a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft;

wherein an outermost surface of the sheath is formed by the tubes.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sheath includes a third tube coupled to the first tube, the third tube including a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft.

3. The sheath of claim 2 wherein the first tube has a different diameter than the second and third tubes.

4. The sheath of claim 3 wherein the second and third tubes have the same diameter.

5. The sheath of claim 2 wherein the second and third tubes have the same diameter.

6. The sheath of claim 5 wherein the first tube has the same diameter as the second and third.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first tube and second tube comprise a biocompatible material selected from the group consisting of hydroxyapatite, polylactic acid, and polylactic glycolic acid.

8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a guide disposed within the second tube for facilitating threading of soft tissue through the second tube.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a guide disposed within the first tube for facilitating advancement of a guide wire though the first tube.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein one end of the guide has a funneled shape.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tube and the second tube are integrally formed.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible body of the first tube comprises strands that form a mesh structure, the strands defining spaces therebetween.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible body of the second tube comprises strands that form a mesh structure, the strands defining spaces therebetween.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible body of the first tube includes a relieved wall.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a major portion of the relieved wall is open.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the relieved wall is perforated.

17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the relieved wall defines a plurality of holes therethrough.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible body of the second tube includes a relieved wall.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the relieved wall is perforated.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the relieved wall defines a plurality of holes therethrough.

21. The assembly of claim 18, wherein a major portion of the relieved wall is open.

22. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible body of the second tube has two ends, each end having an opening.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the openings have substantially the same dimensions.

24. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the openings are circular.

25. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tube is smaller in diameter than the second tube.

26. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a securing element for securing the second tube to the soft tissue graft.

27. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixation device comprises a bone screw.

28. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third tube coupled to the first tube, the third tube including a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft.

29. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the first tube has a different diameter than the second and third tubes.

30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the second and third tubes have the same diameter.

31. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the second and third tubes have the same diameter.

32. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the first tube has the same diameter as the second and third tubes.

33. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a member coupling the first tube with the second tube.

34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein the member comprises a suture.

35. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a suture coupling the first tube with the second tube.