Patent ID: 6558389
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A device for the fixation of a ligament or tendon implant to a bone of a patient comprising:an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene ligament attachment member comprising a grasping hook configured for grasping a free end of the ligament or tendon implant, a shaft attached to the grasping hook, and a series of slanted ridges formed along the long axis of the shaft, the ligament attachment member adapted to fit within a contoured drill hole in said bone; an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene push nut for securing the ligament attachment member to the bone, disposed to attach to the shaft of the ligament attachment member when the shaft is inserted into the push nut, the push nut further comprising one or more flanges surrounding a central hole, the flanges configured to allow slanted ridges on the shaft to pass in one direction when the shaft is inserted into the central hole, but engaging the slanted ridges in an interference fit when the shaft is moved in an opposite direction to thereby inhibit movement of said ligament attachment member relative to the bone in a direction opposite the direction in which the shaft is inserted as the push nut is secured against an annular ledge of the contoured drill hole in the bone, where a larger-diameter portion of the contoured drill hole is connected to a narrower-diameter portion of the contoured drill hole, and the entire device remains inside an endosteal portion of said bone; wherein said grasping hook is an open loop with an open portion; wherein said grasping hook has a circular shape forming at least 60% of the arc length of a circle; wherein said grasping hook has a free end portion, said free end portion extending away from said shaft to thereby operate as a guide for guiding said ligament or tendon into said loop; wherein the push nut has a frusto-conical shape configured to match a frusto-conical shape of a drill hole in the bone to provide an increased contact area between the push nut and the bone; and wherein said grasping hook has a substantially uniform thickness characterized by an absence of a pointed end to prevent said grasping hook from embedding into the bone.