Patent ID: 8206445
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction comprising: forming a tibial tunnel having an opening, a sidewall and an outlet and located between an anterior tibial surface and a tibial plateau; forming a femoral tunnel in close proximity to said outlet of said tibial tunnel, said femoral tunnel having an opening and a sidewall; forming a plurality of supplemental tibial tunnels through said sidewall of said tibial tunnel to provide a basis for suture material fixation of graft tissue/material over cortical bone; forming a plurality of supplemental femoral tunnels through said sidewall of said femoral tunnel to provide a basis for suture material fixation of graft tissue/material over cortical bone; providing a graft having a first end and a second end; providing a first set of suture material having a plurality of strands, each strand having a first end and a second end, providing a second set of suture material having a plurality of strands, each strand having a first end and a second end, attaching said second end of each strand of said first set of suture material to said first end of said graft; attaching said first end of each strand of said second set of suture material to said second end of said graft; positioning the graft in the femoral tunnel and the tibial tunnel by pulling said first end of each strand of said first set of suture material through said tibial tunnel, through said femoral tunnel, and through at least two of said supplemental femoral tunnels; pulling said second ends of each strand of said second set of suture material through said supplemental tibial tunnels; securing the first ends of each strand of said first set of suture material between said supplemental femoral tunnels to each other to affix said first end of said graft in place for healing; and securing the second ends of each strand of said second set of suture material between said supplemental tibial tunnels to each other to affix said second end of said graft in place for healing.