Graft material convenience package
OwnerRobert-Jan Enzerink, Peter Wehrlyinventors
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Abstract
According to the present invention, graft material is packaged for convenient use. Packaged, sterilized, ready-to-use replacement grafts are provided in a variety of lengths with pre-attached sutures for easy insertion and may be further pre-sutured to one or two bone plugs. Thus, a surgeon may select a graft of the appropriate configuration, length, and size for use during reconstructive surgery, thereby eliminating the surgery time previously spent on harvesting and/or constructing the graft.
Claims36
A replacement package for the repair of a damaged ligament comprising:
- a graft comprising a graft material having a proximal end and a distal end, a first set of sutures attached to the proximal end, and a second set of sutures attached to the distal end,
- wherein the graft is preserved and provided in sterile packaging.
A prepackaged sterile replacement ligament comprising:
- a graft comprising a bundle of graft material strands, the bundle having a proximal end and a distal end, a first set of sutures securing a first bone plug to the proximal end, a second set of sutures securing a second bone plug secured to the distal end,
- wherein the graft is preserved and provided in sterile packaging.
A method of preparing a convenient replacement graft package for use in repairing a damaged ligament, the method comprising the steps of
- harvesting a piece of graft material and removing extraneous tissue;
- washing the harvested piece of graft material;
- cutting and shaping the piece of graft material to proper size, defining a proximal end and a distal end;
- assembling the replacement graft by attaching a first set of sutures to the proximal end and attaching a second set of sutures to the distal end;
- preserving the replacement graft;
- and
- packaging the replacement graft in a sterile container.
A method for repairing a damaged cruciate ligament, said method comprising the steps of
- preparing a knee of a patient to accept a cruciate ligament replacement graft including drilling a tibial tunnel and a femoral tunnel;
- choosing a prepared graft of appropriate size, the prepared graft comprising a length of graft material having a proximal end and a distal end, a first set of sutures attached to the proximal end, and a second set of sutures attached to the distal end, wherein the prepared graft is provided in sterile packaging;
- removing the graft from the packaging;
- inserting the graft into the prepared femoral and tibial tunnels;
- fixing the graft in the femoral tunnel;
- and
- fixing the graft in a tibial tunnel.
A kit for replacing a damaged ligament in a patient comprising a sterile packaged prepared replacement ligament having pre-attached sutures for aiding in insertion into the patient, and a graft fixation device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.