Methods and devices for forming bone tunnels
US9186163B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/0888
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for forming bone tunnels. In general, the methods and devices allow multiple converging tunnels to be formed in bone, such as in an arthroscopic surgical procedure, e.g., a rotator cuff repair surgical procedure. One or more sutures can be advanced through the converging tunnels, and the suture(s) can be coupled to tissue. The suture(s) with the tissue coupled thereto can be tensioned, thereby helping to maximize an amount of the tissue in contact with the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a guide device is provided that can be configured to allow a first tunnel to be formed in bone and to allow a plurality of additional tunnels to be formed in the bone at predetermined angular positions relative to the first tunnel such that each of the additional tunnels can extend transverse to the first tunnel and intersect the first tunnel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.