Method and apparatus for tensioning grafts or ligaments
OwnerE. Marlowe Goble, Richard B. Caspari +1inventors
InventorsE. Marlowe Goble, Richard B. Caspari, W. Karl Somers
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Abstract
An apparatus for use in positioning a ligament or a graft within a joint during surgery. The apparatus includes a tensioning assembly which is operable to adjustably apply tension to the ligament or graft during surgery. The apparatus further includes support assembly which is operable to secure the tensioning assembly to the extremity associated with the joint. Alternatively, the tensioning assembly may be secured directly to the bone forming the joint.
Claims18
An apparatus for use in positioning a ligament a joint of a patient during surgery, said apparatus comprising:
- means for adjustably applying tension to the ligament so as to position the ligament during surgery;
- and
- means for noninvasively securing said means for adjustably applying tension to the ligament at position on the patient proximate to the joint, whereby the apparatus is operable to noninvasively apply tension to the ligment.
An apparatus for use in positioning a graft within a joint during surgery, said joint being associated with an extremity of a patient, said apparatus comprising:
- a tensioning assembly configured to apply tension to the graft so as to position the graft during surgery;
- a calibration arm operable to provide an indication of the magnitude of tension applied to the graft;
- means for noninvasively securing said tensioning assembly on the patient proximate to the joint;
- and
- whereby said tensioning assembly is operable to noninvasively apply tension to the graft during flexion of the joint.
A method for tensioning a ligament within a joint of a patient during surgery, said joint being associated with an extremity of the patient and said ligament having first and second ends, said method comprising the steps of:
- noninvasively securing a tensioning assembly to the patient in a region proximate to said joint;
- securing said first end of said ligament to the patient;
- securing said second end of said ligament to said noninvasive tensioning assembly;
- and
- applying tension to said ligament by operation of said noninvasive tensioning assembly, whereby said noninvasive tensioning assembly is operable to noninvasively apply tension to the ligament.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.