METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LIGAMENT REPAIR

摘要

Described herein are specialized methods and systems that may be utilized to secure a soft tissue graft to a boney surface. The methods and systems of the present invention facilitate the efficient and minimally invasive formation of sockets and/or tunnels in boney surfaces that may then serve as a site for graft placement by aperture and/or suspensory fixation means. The present invention has particular applicability to the surgical repair and reconstruction of torn or ruptured ligaments of the leg, such as anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.

主权项

1. A method for preparing a human subject for reconstructive graft surgery of the knee, said method comprising steps of:
a. providing an endoscopic shaver handpiece housing a drive motor; b. providing a first endoscopic drilling device having a proximal end configured to removably attach to a distal end of said endoscopic shaver handpiece, an elongate middle portion defining the longitudinal axis of the drilling device, a distal portion that is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongate middle portion, and a rotatable cutting element disposed at a distal end of said distal portion; c. mounting the proximal end of said first endoscopic drilling device to the distal end of said endoscopic shaver handpiece; d. inserting said first endoscopic drilling device into the subject's knee via a portal of the knee and positioning the distal end cutting element at an anatomical location of interest selected for interior femoral socket or tunnel formation on a surface of the medial or lateral condyle of the subject's femur, whereby the angular offset of the distal portion of the drilling device allows said device to reach around the medial or lateral condyle; and e. activating said handpiece to provide rotational energy to said rotatable cutting element and thereby drill an interior socket of pre-determined depth in the medial or lateral condyle of the femur.