Medicinelodge Inc.

Stryker Ortho Pedics

Akzo-nobel Coatings, Inc.

Kenneth J Gardner

T Wade Fallin

E Marlowe Goble

Gary P Craun

Patricia Miller

Guy J Stella

A novel fixation system for fixing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The fixation system comprises an interference screw comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body for receiving a transverse pin therein, whereby to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising the steps of: (i) drilling a tunnel in the bone; (ii) positioning the graft ligament in the bone tunnel; (iii) placing an interference screw in the bone tunnel so as to force the graft ligament laterally against the opposite side of the bone tunnel; and (iv) advancing a transverse pin transversely through the bone and through the interference screw so as to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. The present invention can also be applied to attach other objects to bone, e.g., a bone fragment to bone.

Apparatus and method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone

A transverse guide assembly for use in passing a transverse pin through a host bone and through a transversely-extending region formed in an interference screw, wherein the transverse guide assembly includes a key member, a boom member and a guide member, and further wherein the key member is adapted to be connected to a keyway formed in the proximal end of the interference screw, the boom member is connected to the key member and supports the guide member outboard of the interference screw, and the guide member is configured to support a drill for forming a hole to receive the transverse pin which extends transversely through the host bone and the transversely-extending region formed in the interference screw.

Growing community of inventors

Smithfield, UT, United States of America

Kenneth J Gardner