Method and apparatus for fixing a graft in a bone tunnel
OwnerDaniel J. McKernan, Gregory R. Whittakerinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
Claims25
A graft ligament having a first end and second end, said first end and said second end defining a first longitudinal axis, and said graft ligament having a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along said first longitudinal axis between said first end and said second end, said graft ligament comprising:
- a tendon having a third end and a fourth end, said third end and said fourth end defining a second longitudinal axis therebetween, said tendon having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness along said second longitudinal axis between said third end and said fourth end, and said tendon having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion along said second longitudinal axis between said third end and said fourth end;
- and
- a securing material securing at least one section of said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion with another at least one section of said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion so as to form said third end and said fourth end, respectively, and so as to form said graft ligament with a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along said first longitudinal axis between said first end and second end.
A method of making a graft ligament having a first end and second end, said first end and said second end defining first a longitudinal axis, and said graft ligament having a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along said first longitudinal axis between said first end and said second end, said method of making said graft ligament comprising:
- providing a tendon having a third end and a fourth end, said third end and said fourth end defining a second longitudinal axis therebetween, said tendon having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness along said second longitudinal axis between said third end and said fourth end, and said tendon having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion along said second longitudinal axis between said third end and said fourth end;
- and
- securing at least one section of said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion to another at least one section of said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion so as to form said third end and said fourth end, respectively, and so as to form said graft ligament having a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along said first longitudinal axis between said first end and second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.