Line lock graft retention system and method
US7641694B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2230/0069
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for restoring articular cartilage has a cover, an anchor, and a tether that cooperate to retain graft tissue with respect to a graft site. The cover is attached to the anchor via the tether. The tether passes through a tunnel through a bone to which the articular cartilage is attached. The tunnel may be blind or may extend through the bone. The anchor is retained within the tunnel such that tension in the tether keeps the cover in place over the tissue graft. The anchor may receive the tether such that the tether can only pass through the anchor along one direction. Thus, tension applied to the tether between the anchor and the tissue graft is automatically maintained by the anchor. After passing through the anchor, the tether may exit the tunnel through the graft site, or through the opposite side of the bone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.