Apparatus and method for ligament fixation

• US 7,485,136 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kwan-Ho Chan
• Original Assignee: Kwan-Ho Chan
• Inventors: Chan, Kwan-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Araj; Michael J
• Application Number:
  US10/827,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/73, 606/232, 606300-321, 606/60, 606/88, 623/13.11, 623/13.12, 623/13.14
• US Class Current: 606/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0403 Dowels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• 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. A method for fixing a ligament or tendon in a bone tunnel, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a jamming retainer of substantially rigid spherical configuration and having first and second discrete bores extending side by side through the jamming retainer;

extending a suture through the first bore, encircling the ligament or tendon, and thereafter extending the suture through the second bore so as to provide a loop of the suture on a first side of the jamming retainer, circling the ligament or tendon, and two suture strands extending from a second side of the jamming retainer;

drawing at least one of the suture strands outwardly from the jamming retainer so as to close the loop, with the ligament or tendon snugged up against the jamming retainer first side;

connecting the two suture strands to each other at the second side of the jamming retainer;

drawing the two suture strands through the bone tunnel to thereby draw the jamming retainer and the ligament or tendon into the bone tunnel, with the jamming retainer being drawn through the bone tunnel so that the first and second bores extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bone tunnel; and

introducing an interference screw into the bone tunnel, the screw impinging upon the ligament or tendon and impinging upon a wall of the bone tunnel, with the interference screw proximal to the jamming retainer, so as to securely fix the ligament or tendon in the bone tunnel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interference screw encroaches upon the wall of the bone tunnel.

3. The method of claim 2, said interference screw threadingly engaging the jamming retainer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the interference screw engages the jamming retainer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interference screw urges the jamming retainer into the wall of the bone tunnel.