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US 8,556,970 B2Granted
Graft introducer
AssigneeDePuy Mitek, LLC
InventorJustin M. Piccirillo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An instrument for placing a graft into a bone tunnel comprises an elongated shaft having a forked distal end comprising a pair of tines. A suture spans a space defined between the tines whereby the graft may be positioned between the tines and against the suture so as to be manipulated into the bone tunnel. The tendon folds about the suture, the suture having a releasable tension such that the instrument can be removed from the bone, leaving the tendon behind without the tendon hanging up on the suture.
Claims6
A method for implanting a graft into a bone hole, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the graft between a first tine and a second tine at a distal end of a shaft of a surgical instrument and against a flexible member spanning a space defined between the first tine and second tine;
- manipulating the first and second tines with the graft therebetween into a bone tunnel;
- controlling a distance between the first tine and second tine, at least one of which are flexible, via tension on the flexible member;
- pushing the graft via the flexible member into the bone tunnel;
- and
- releasing tension in the flexible member and removing the first and second tines from the bone tunnel, leaving the graft positioned therein.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.