Patent ID: 6358253
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A method of inserting a tissue graft into bone tissue, comprising:inserting a guide that is configured to orient another instrument against a surface of the bone tissue, said guide including a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the instrument, a tissue-engaging portion, at least one viewing portion permitting visual inspection of an interior of the guiding portion through a side wall of the guiding portion, and a spacer for positioning the guiding portion at a selected location relative to a feature on bone tissue, the spacer including a member projecting from the tissue-engaging portion of the guide; placing the tissue-engaging portion flush against a surface of the bone tissue to orient the guiding portion perpendicularly to the surface; engaging a drill with the guiding portion so that the drill is oriented perpendicularly to the surface, and drilling a hole in the bone tissue surface for receiving the tissue graft with the drill; and engaging an insertion tool with the guiding portion so that the insertion tool is oriented perpendicularly to the surface, and inserting the tissue graft into the hole with the insertion tool.