Attachment for an artificial ligament, and a process for implantation

US5376119A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• PROTEK, INC. · CH

Inventors

• Martin Zimmermann · Sasbach, DE
• Joel Tendon · La Neuveville, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 1, 1993
• Grant date: Dec 27, 1994
• Expiry date: Nov 1, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2002/0882
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An attachment for securing an artificial ligament to a bone includes a retaining element supported in a bone (2) for an end section of the ligament (1), which is disposed in a guide duct (3) formed in the bone (2), and a clamping element which can be tightened against the end section. The retaining element is a pin (5) which can be inserted transversely to the pulling direction (Z) of the ligament (1) in a bore hole (8) formed in the bone (2) that intersects the guide duct (3). A through-hole (12) in the pin extends in the direction (Z) and is aligned with the guide duct. The guide duct (3) extends in the pulling direction (Z) of the ligament (1) and the longitudinal axis of the pin is at an enclosed angle (W) of less than 90.degree. relative to direction (Z). The pin (5) contains a through-hole (12) which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (B) of the pin and suitable for the ligament (1) to pass through. An axial bore hole (7) opens into the through-hole and threadably receives the clamping element so that it can be forced against the ligament (1) in through-hole (12). This enables an initial stressing and attachment of the ligament (1) in simple operational steps.