Method of loading tendons into the knee

• US 7,306,626 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Whelan, Jeffery M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWEET, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US11/293,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 623/13.14, 606/72, 606/73
• US Class Current: 623/13.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/076 for removing surgical staples or wound clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1714 for applying tendons or ligaments implements for applying tendons or ligaments A61F2/0805
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1764 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8625 Shanks, i.e. parts contacting bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread
• 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 2/38 for elbows or knees
• 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 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• 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: Y10S 606/908 Bioabsorbable material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

A surgical method for loading ligament grafts into a joint. A longitudinal socket formed in a bone is intersected by a transverse pin. A flexible strand is drawn with the pin through the bone. A looped portion of the strand is diverted so as to protrude out of the entrance to the longitudinal socket. The ends of the strand remaining accessible on either side of the bone. The ligament graft is captured within the strand loop protruding from the entrance to the socket. The strand is retracted into the socket, drawing the graft into the socket by pulling on the accessible ends of the flexible strand. The graft is fixed in the socket using a transverse implant.

Claims

1. A method of anterior cruciate reconstruction surgery of the knee, comprising the steps of:

forming an opening in a femur, the opening having an entrance facing a joint of the knee;

forming a transverse hole in the femur extending completely across the femur, the transverse hole extending through a first sidewall of the opening on a first side of the femur, intersecting the opening, and extending into an opposite sidewall of the opening on an opposite side of the femur;

positioning a flexible strand in the knee such that the flexible strand extends from outside of the knee, through the transverse hole and into the opening in the femur through the first sidewall of the opening, out through the entrance of the opening and through a tunnel in the tibia, and, after forming a loop outside of the tibial tunnel, extending back into the tibial tunnel and into the opening through the entrance of the opening, and into the transverse hole in the opposite sidewall of the opening;

looping a graft over the loop of the strand extending outside of the tibial tunnel; and

pulling the loop of the graft through the tibial tunnel and into the opening.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the strand is used as a guide for advancing an implant transversely through the transverse hole, into the opening and under the graft to secure the graft in the opening.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant has a threaded back end, the method further comprising the step of securing the implant in the knee by engaging a wall of the transverse hole with the threaded back end of the implant.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening in the femur comprises a closed-end socket.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the graft is pulled into femur by pulling transversely on opposite ends of the flexible strand.