# US 7,407,512 B2 · Sheaths for implantable fixation devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,512 B2 - Document ID: US7407512B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/862,573 - Filed: 2004-06-08 - Published: 2004-11-11 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2000-03-16 - Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski; Paul Alexander Torrie; Fraser Harvie; Steven W. Ek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407512B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments} - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - A61B 17/3431: {being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material (A61B17/3423 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/686: {Plugs, i.e. elements forming interface between bone hole and implant or fastener, e.g. screw} - A61F 2/08: Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments - A61B 17/8861: {Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps (devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697)} - A61B 17/8869: {Tensioning devices} - A61B 2017/00004: {(bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61F 2/30749: {Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body} - A61F 2002/0835: {with deformation of anchor parts, e.g. expansion of dowel by set screw} - A61F 2002/0864: {Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor elements, e.g. by additional screws in the anchor, anchor crimped around tendon} - A61F 2002/0882: {Anchor in or on top of a bone tunnel, i.e. a hole running through the entire bone} - A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive} - A61F 2002/30235: {tubular, e.g. sleeves} - A61F 2002/30677: {Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body} - A61F 2002/30914: {Details of the mesh structure, e.g. disposition of the woven warp and weft wires} - A61F 2002/30919: {Sleeves} - A61F 2210/0004: bioabsorbable - A61F 2220/0008: Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body - A61F 2230/0069: cylindrical - A61F 2250/0067: Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body - Y10S 623/908: Bone - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract Sheaths for implantable fixation devices and methods of using the sheaths are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, and an interior of the body is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. Sheaths include a plurality of flexible or inflexible tubes arranged to form a ring, where the central cavity defined by the ring is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A combination comprising: a sheath including a flexible body defining a tube having two ends, each end having an opening of substantially the same dimensions, the tube having a relieved wall and defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a fixation device that is configured to be inserted into a bone tunnel; and the fixation device, the fixation device having a shaft sized and shaped to snugly fit within the interior of the tube, the shaft including generally rounded screw threads. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein each opening is circular. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein the flexible body is made from bioabsorbable material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, further comprising a therapeutic agent in contact with the flexible body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The combination of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is an osteoinductive agent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The combination of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is a growth factor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The combination of claim 4, wherein the therapeutic agent is integrated into a material that forms the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein the flexible body has a roughened exterior surface. ### Claim 9 A combination comprising: a sheath including a flexible body having two ends, each end having an opening of substantially the same dimensions, the body having a relieved wall with a major portion of the wall being open, the walk defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue fixation device that is configured to be inserted into a bone tunnel; and the soft tissue fixation device, the soft tissue fixation device having a shaft sized and shaped to snugly fit within the interior of the sheath. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The combination of claim 9, wherein the flexible body has a roughened exterior surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The combination of claim 9, wherein the sheath includes a plurality of generally parallel tubes arranged to form a ring, a portion of each tube forming a portion of the relieved wall of the flexible body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The combination of claim 11, wherein at least some of the tubes are sized and shaped to receive a portion of a soft tissue graft. ### Claim 13 A combination comprising: a sheath including a flexible body having two ends, each end having an opening of substantially the same dimensions, the body having a perforated relieved wall defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue fixation device that is configured to be inserted into a bone tunnel, and a graft, with the graft positioned between the soft tissue fixation device and the wall; and the soft tissue fixation device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The combination of claim 13, wherein the wall defines a plurality of holes therethrough. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The combination of claim 14, wherein the flexible body comprises strands defining spaces therebetween that define the holes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The combination of claim 13, wherein the soft tissue fixation device is a bone screw, and the flexible body is sized and shaped to snugly receive the shaft of the bone screw and a portion of the graft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The combination of claim 16, wherein the bone screw includes generally rounded screw threads. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The combination of claim 13, wherein each opening is circular. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The combination of claim 13, wherein the flexible body is made from bioabsorbable material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The combination of claim 13, wherein the flexible body has a roughened exterior surface.