Patent ID: 7195642
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A graft ligament having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and the graft ligament having a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along the first longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, the graft ligament comprising: a tendon having a third end and a fourth end, the third and fourth ends defining a second longitudinal axis therebetween, said tendon having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness along the second longitudinal axis between the third end and the fourth end, and said tendon having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion in series along the second longitudinal axis between the third end and the fourth end; wherein the second portion has a given mean cross-sectional thickness, and the first portion and the third portion each have a smaller mean cross-sectional thickness than the given mean cross-sectional thickness; and a securing material securing at least one section of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion with another at least one section of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion so as to form the third end and the fourth end, respectively, and so as to form the graft ligament with a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along the first longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end.