Patent ID: 8016865
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
1. A method of replacing an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee, comprising: providing a graft having a first end and a second end; drilling a bone tunnel in a tibia, said bone tunnel having an inner wall; drilling a bone tunnel in a femur, said bone tunnel having an inner wall; mounting the first end of the graft in the femoral bone tunnel; mounting the second end of the graft in the tibial bone tunnel; providing a biodegradable, composite interference screw, said interference screw comprising: a biodegradable polymer comprising a copolymer of poly (lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid); and, a bioceramic; inserting the biodegradable screw into the femoral bone tunnel between an interior surface of the femoral bone tunnel and the first end of the graft; and, rotating the interference screw such that the screw is substantially contained within the femoral bone tunnel, and the first end of the graft is fixed in place between the interference screw and a section of the interior surface of the femoral bone tunnel; wherein the biodegradable, composite interference screw degrades in the body.