Ligament graft protection apparatus and method
US5658289A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S606/916
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.