Patent ID: 7488347
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for promoting healing of a cartilage graft site, the system comprising: a cartilage graft; a tether having a first portion and a second portion, the tether having a length sufficient to pass through a tunnel formed in a bone to extend from an anchoring side of the bone to a cartilage graft site on an articular surface of the bone; and a cover attachable to the second portion, wherein the cover is shaped to capture the cartilage graft in response to tension on the tether to promote healing of the cartilage graft site via incorporation of the cartilage graft with the cartilage graft site; wherein the first portion of the tether comprises a retention feature that is actuatable independently of positioning the first portion proximate an anchoring side of the bone to attach the first portion to the anchoring side; wherein the cover is shaped to hold the cartilage graft against the cartilage graft site without significantly interfering with articulation of the articular surface.