Howmedica Osteonics Corporation

Mark Steiner

Ran Oren

Kyle Craig Pilgeram

Elad Rash

Eran Zakai

Jeffrey Wyman

Raymond O West

Matthew Hemstreet

Cortny Robison

Daniel Miller

Lindsay Rudert

Lindsey Rudert

In a first embodiment, the present invention includes an instrumentation system for preparing a bone for soft tissue repair, the instrumentation system including a flexible drill pin capable of bending along a curved path; an aimer capable of engaging the flexible pin to bend the flexible pin; and a flexible reamer having a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length, the flexible portion comprising a plurality of laser cuts. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention may also include a method for preparing a bone tunnel in a femur adjacent a knee joint, the method including introducing a flexible drill pin into the knee joint; guiding the flexible drill pin towards a surface of the femur with an instrument introduced into the knee joint; drilling the flexible drill pin into the femur; removing the instrument from the knee joint; introducing a cannulated flexible reamer into the knee joint by placing the flexible pin within the cannulation of the flexible reamer; and reaming the bone tunnel in the femur along the path of the flexible pin.

Flexible ACL instrumentation, kit and method

A flexible reamer for preparing a hole in a tissue includes a shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft is cannulated through and has a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length. The flexible portion includes a plurality of discrete, interlocking portions. An asymmetric tip at the distal end of the shaft has at least one flute positioned off-axis relative to a longitudinal axis of the flexible reamer.

In a first embodiment, the present invention includes an instrument for use in preparing a femur for soft tissue repair or reconstruction, including a cannulated, curved guide tool having a cannulated body extending to a distal tip and a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the cannulated body and distal tip; and a flange secured to the distal tip and extending from the distal tip in a direction transverse from the distal tip, the flange having a first curve along at least a portion of the flange and a degree of tilt, relative to the plane, along at least a portion of the flange. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention may also include a method of preparing a bone for reattachment of soft tissue thereto, including visualizing a reattachment site; selecting a guide tool from a plurality of cannulated curved guide tools, each of the plurality of guide tools having a distal tip that includes a flange; directing the distal tip of the selected guide tool towards the reattachment site; and placing the flange against the surrounding anatomy such that the distal tip is on the reattachment site.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of positioning and securing a graft to bone including the steps of: positioning the graft into a bore hole in the bone; positioning a guide wire into the bore hole in the bone; positioning a slide instrument between the guide wire and the graft; positioning a driver, and an anchor secured thereto, over the guide wire; directing the anchor along the guide wire and towards and into the bore hole; and imparting a rotational force to the anchor to secure the anchor between a sidewall of the bore hole and a portion of the graft.

Growing community of inventors

Wellesley, MA, United States of America

Mark Steiner