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:
Jan. 13, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1997
Lehmann K Li, Milford, CT (US);
Li Medical Technologies, Inc., Shelton, CT (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and method for anchoring a ligament or ligament replacement into a bone comprising an expandable member for insertion into a borehole formed in the bone, the expandable member having an exterior gripping surface for engaging with the borehole and a central longitudinally extending channel, the expandable member connecting to the ligament or ligament replacement, an expanding member for disposition in the channel of the expandable member for movement in the channel to expand the expandable member in the borehole; the expanding member having a passageway therein aligned with the channel, a cable slidably traversing the passageway and the channel and extending proximally from the expanding member for gripping by an installation tool, a stop member disposed on the cable for engaging a distal surface of the expandable member for preventing further proximal slidable movement of the cable in the passageway and channel, the expanding member having a proximal surface for engagement by the installation tool, the cable grasped by the installation tool with the stop member abutting the expandable member and the installation tool abutting the proximal surface of the expanding member, the installation tool applying a force to the cable to move the expanding member relatively with respect to the expandable member to expand the expandable member so that the gripping surface of the expandable member grips the sidewall of the borehole to secure the expandable member in the borehole and secure the ligament or ligament replacement to the bone.