The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 02, 1995
James A Boucher, Clearwater, FL (US);
Brian David Dross, Gulfport, FL (US);
Matthew R Frushell, Clearwater, FL (US);
Linvatec Corporation, Largo, FL (US);
Abstract
A graft protection device suitable for protecting a bone-tendon-bone graft used during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The graft protection device comprises a distal blocking member, a proximal releasable holding sleeve and an elongated connecting portion connecting the blocking member with the holding sleeve. A radially extending handle is attached to the holding sleeve in order to enable a user to longitudinally and rotationally position the graft protection device along the shaft of an elongated driver when the device is inserted through an opening into a joint. A method of utilizing the graft protection device is also disclosed comprising the steps of guiding a screw/driver/protector assembly along a guide wire into proper position within a bone tunnel, driving the screw into place by turning it and thereby sliding it along the blocking member past a portion of the ligament graft and then locking the guide wire to the driver and removing it along with the driver/protector assembly in a single motion. A lockable, cannulated screw driver is disclosed to facilitate using the graft protection device with the method disclosed herein.