US 7,736,364 B2 · Method and apparatus for performing ACL reconstruction

Abstract

A method and apparatus for drilling a bone for receipt of a first and second bundle includes drilling a first tunnel in the bone. A locating member extending along a first axis from the tool may be positioned into the first tunnel. A cutting guide may be moved relative to the locating member to define a lateral offset between the locating member and the cutting guide. The cutting guide may then be located at a desired offset. The second tunnel may then be formed in the bone with a cutting member associated with the cutting guide, the cutting member having a second axis in a defined orientation relative to the first axis.

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Drawings

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for drilling a bone for receipt of a first and second bundle, the method comprising:

drilling a first tunnel in the bone;
subsequently to the drilling, positioning a locating member extending from a tool along a first axis into the drilled first tunnel;
slidably translating a cutting guide associated with a cutting member in a direction along a second axis, while selectively retaining the cutting member within a cannulated sleeve, the second axis of the cutting member being in a defined orientation relative to the first axis;
moving the cutting member that extends through a bore in the tool relative to the locating member while the locating member remains positioned in the drilled first tunnel to select a desired lateral offset between the locating member and the cutting member;
and
forming a second tunnel in the bone with the cutting member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,618 words

Summary734 words

#This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for use in performing ACL reconstruction, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for locating an anterior medial bundle and a posterior bundle in a two bundle ACL reconstruction.

#Many people today are involved in a sport or some other type of physical activity. Some of these activities involve a low risk chance of injury, such as walking and swimming, while others involve a high risk chance or injury, such as football and skiing.

#Damaged ligaments, cartilage and tendons in joints are not an uncommon occurrence, particularly in some of these high risk activities and sports. One of the joints which requires particular skill and presents particular difficulties in repairing is the knee joint.

Brief description of the drawings12 figures

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a tibia and femur in phantom shown with an exemplary femoral aimer inserted through a tibial tunnel and a graft passing pin drilled through the lateral thigh according to an exemplary method;

#FIG. 2 is an anterior view of the knee illustrated in FIG. 1 shown with a calibrated acorn reamer used to determine the length of the femoral tunnel;

Detailed description2,522 words

#The following description of various embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the application or uses. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following teachings can be used in a much wider variety of applications than the examples specifically mentioned herein. More specifically, while the following discussion is specifically directed toward a tool and method for dual bundle ACL reconstruction, the same may be applied to other surgical procedures where locating a second tunnel relative to a first tunnel in bone is desired.

#At the outset, an exemplary procedure for preparing a tibial tunnel and a femoral tunnel will be described. For a knee reconstruction involving an un-repairable or torn ACL, the procedure may begin with a general anesthesia being administered to the patient. The patient may be positioned supine on an operating table. A well-padded tourniquet may be placed proximal on the thigh of the affected leg. An arthroscopic leg holder may be placed around the tourniquet. The table may be inclined (e.g. 15 degrees of trendelenburg) and adjusted in height (e.g. waist level) according to the desires of the surgeon. The other leg may be secured to the foot of the table. A Mayo stand may be placed over the leg holder and positioned to permit access to the lateral thigh.

#The surgical site may be prepped and draped with a sterile seal. Standard arthroscopic draping may be performed covering the Mayo stand. A light cord, camera, motorized instruments, inflow, outflow and suction tubing may be wrapped and secured to the drape on the Mayo stand. An irrigation stand may be set up and positioned. The joint of the affected leg may be examined physically to confirm a rupture of the ACL and to determine the amount and degree of movement.

Facts

Application

11/346,534Filed 2 Feb 2006

Published

US 2007/0191853 A116 Aug 2007

Granted

15 Jun 2010

Term ends

25 Jan 2027

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 357 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification8 codes

A61B 17/1675
For particular parts of the body: for the knee
A61B 17/1714
Guides or aligning means for drills , mills, pins or wires: for applying tendons or ligaments
A61B 17/1764
Specially adapted for particular parts of the body: for the knee
A61B 2090/062
Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for: penetration depth

Timeline

2 Feb 2006Application filedUS 11/346,534
2 Feb 2006Assigned to Arthrotek, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
21 Mar 2007Assigned to Biomet Sports Medicine, Inc.change of name
16 Aug 2007PublishedUS 2007/0191853 A1
10 Dec 2007Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Administrative Agent for the Secured Partiessecurity agreement
14 Aug 2008Assigned to Biomet Sports Medicine, LLCchange of name
15 Jun 2010GrantedUS 7,736,364 B2
23 Nov 2015Assigned to Lvb Acquisition, Inc., Biomet, Inc.release of security interest in patents recorded at reel 020362/ frame 0001
13 Apr 2018Assigned to Biomet U.S. Reconstruction, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
13 Apr 2018Assigned to Biomet, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
13 Apr 2018Assigned to Zb Manufacturing, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
13 Apr 2018Assigned to Biomet Manufacturing, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
25 Jan 2027Term endsEstimated, includes 357 days of adjustment

Method and apparatus for performing ACL reconstruction

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for performing ACL reconstruction

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims17

Description3,618 words

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Drawings

Description3,618 words