Replacement ligament graft passer and method
US5671695A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/0882
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for use in installing a replacement ligament in substantially coaxial tibial and femoral tunnels formed in a knee joint by drilling upwardly from the anterior surface of the tibia below its plateau, through the plateau, and into the distal end of the femur. The replacement ligament has a leading end portion receivable in the femoral tunnel and a trailing end portion receivable in the tibial tunnel. The apparatus includes a sheath having a leading open end and an opposite end. The sheath has a calibrated scale printed thereon starting at the leading open end. The calibrated scale provides a visual indication of a distance from the leading open end of the sheath. The sheath is configured to receive the replacement ligament therein while the sheath is outside a patient's body with the leading end portion of the replacement ligament adjacent said open end and with the trailing end portion of the replacement ligament disposed toward said opposite end of the sheath. The sheath is sized for insertion into the tibial tunnel to position the replacement ligament within the knee joint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.