Patent ID: 7494490
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for positioning a graft ligament in a bone tunnel, said method comprising the steps of: (1) forming a first bone tunnel in a bone, said first bone tunnel having a first opening at one end thereof, and forming a second bone tunnel in the same bone, said second bone tunnel being transverse to, and intersecting, said first bone tunnel, said second bone tunnel having first and second portions extending from said first bone tunnel, said first portion of said second bone tunnel having a second opening at one end thereof, and said second portion of said second bone tunnel having a third opening at one end thereof; (2) positioning a closed loop of a flexible member within said first bone tunnel and said first portion of said second bone tunnel such that a first portion of said closed loop extends out of said first opening and a second portion of said closed loop extends out of said second opening, parting said closed loop outside said second opening so as to create a first free end and a second free end, and passing said second free end through said second bone tunnel so that said second free end extends out of said third opening, and positioning the graft ligament over a portion of said flexible member extending out of said first opening; and (3) pulling said first and second free ends of said flexible member so as to draw said graft ligament into said first bone tunnel.