Graft fixation implant

摘要

The subject invention is a fixation device or anchor intended to secure a graft ligament or other soft tissue repair. The device is designed to be attached to a graft ligament and to secure the graft within a bone tunnel by extending transversely across the opening of the tunnel. In certain procedures the device is intended to pass through a bone tunnel in an orientation generally aligned with the tunnel and then turn transversely. The device has an inherent tendency to rotate upon exiting the tunnel to thereby become automatically transversely aligned with the tunnel and the graft ligament. The rotation is due to a moment automatically created as a resultant of forces applied to the anchor by a pulling-suture via a laterally offset aperture joining the pulling-suture to the anchor.

主权项

1. A graft fixation implant comprising:
an elongated body having a length parallel to a longitudinal axis and a width parallel to a transverse axis when viewed in a top plan view, a common plane of said elongated body being defined by said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis, and said length being greater than said width, said elongated body comprising: three portions positioned along said length, the three portions being a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a central portion interposed between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion, the central portion having a width that is enlarged relative to each of said proximal end portion and said distal end portion, each of said proximal end portion and said distal end portion tapering to become relatively narrower while extending from said central portion to a rounded proximal tip and a rounded distal tip, respectively; a slot formed through the elongated body, said slot being axially aligned with said longitudinal axis and extending proximally and distally on either side of said transverse axis; a generally cylindrical core separating said slot into a proximal aperture and a distal aperture positioned within said proximal end portion and said distal end portion, respectively, said core being aligned with said transverse axis; and a pulling-suture receiving aperture extending through said core, a center axis of said pulling-suture receiving aperture being offset from said common plane, being situated parallel to said transverse axis, and being situated perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.