IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,167,951
Granted Patent B2
US 8,167,951 · App. 12/151,846 · Granted May 1, 2012

Method and apparatus for reconstructing a ligament and/or repairing cartilage, and for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy

Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,167,951
App. No.
12/151,846
Granted
May 1, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for reconstructing a knee ligament and for performing a tibial osteotomy on the knee in a single procedure, the method comprising: forming a bone tunnel through the tibia at a location appropriate for the ligament reconstruction, disposing a graft ligament in the bone tunnel, and securing the graft ligament in the bone tunnel, and forming a wedge-like opening in the bone at a location appropriate for the tibial osteotomy, positioning an osteotomy implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone, and securing the osteotomy implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone; wherein the osteotomy implant is secured in the wedge-like opening in the bone with a fastener which extends through the implant and into the bone tunnel.

Claims (37)

1. A method for reconstructing a knee ligament and for performing a tibial osteotomy on the knee in a single procedure, the method comprising:

forming a bone tunnel through the tibia at a location appropriate for the ligament reconstruction, disposing a graft ligament in the bone tunnel, and securing the graft ligament in the bone tunnel, and forming a wedge-like opening in the bone at a location appropriate for the tibial osteotomy, positioning an osteotomy implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone, and securing the osteotomy implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone;

wherein the osteotomy implant is secured in the wedge-like opening in the bone with a fastener which extends through the implant and into the bone tunnel.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is secured in the bone tunnel with an interference screw, and further wherein the fastener is secured to the interference screw.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the interference screw comprises an internal thread, wherein the fastener comprises a fixation screw, and further wherein the fixation screw is configured to matingly engage the internal thread of the interference screw.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is secured in the bone tunnel with an interference screw, and further wherein the fastener terminates within the bone tunnel short of engaging the interference screw.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is secured in the bone tunnel, and the osteotomy implant is secured in the wedge-like opening, using the same fastener.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the fastener comprises a fixation screw.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the fixation screw comprises non-cutting threads.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is disposed so as to replace a natural anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is disposed so as to replace a natural posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the wedge-like opening in the bone is formed by cutting the bone along a cutting plane, and then moving the bone on either side of the cut so as to form the wedge-like opening in the bone.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the wedge-like opening in the bone is formed by cutting the bone along a pair of intersecting cutting planes, and then removing the bone located between the intersecting cutting planes.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the implant comprises a hole for receiving the fastener.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the hole is formed in the implant at the time of manufacture.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the hole is formed in the implant prior to positioning the implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone.

15. A method according to claim 12 wherein the hole is formed in the implant after positioning the implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein the implant is wedge-shaped.

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the implant comprises at least one key, and further wherein the at least one key is disposed in at least one keyhole formed in the tibia.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the at least one keyhole communicates with the bone tunnel.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the at least one keyhole communicates with the wedge-like opening in the bone.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein the fastener extends through a key.

21. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bone tunnel is formed prior to forming the wedge-like opening in the bone.

22. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bone tunnel is formed after forming the wedge-like opening in the bone.

23. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is inserted in the bone tunnel before the osteotomy implant is inserted in the wedge-like opening in the bone.

24. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is inserted in the bone tunnel after the osteotomy implant is inserted in the wedge-like opening in the bone.

25. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is secured in the bone tunnel before the osteotomy implant is secured in the wedge-like opening in the bone.

26. A method according to claim 1 wherein the graft ligament is secured in the bone tunnel after the osteotomy implant is secured in the wedge-like opening in the bone.

27. A method according to claim 1 wherein the osteotomy implant is initially secured in the wedge-like opening in the bone without utilizing the fastener, the graft ligament is then secured in the bone tunnel, and the osteotomy implant is thereafter further secured in the wedge-like opening in the bone with a fastener which extends through the implant and into the bone tunnel.

28. A method for repairing cartilage and for performing a tibial osteotomy on the knee in a single procedure, the method comprising:

forming a bone tunnel through the tibia at a location appropriate for repairing cartilage, and repairing the cartilage, and forming a wedge-like opening in the bone at a location appropriate for the tibial osteotomy, positioning an osteotomy implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone, and securing the osteotomy implant in the wedge-like opening in the bone;

wherein the bone tunnel and the wedge-like opening in the bone communicate with one another.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein repairing the cartilage comprises replacing the cartilage.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein a portion of the replacement cartilage is secured in the bone tunnel.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein a portion of the replacement cartilage is secured in the bone tunnel using an interference screw.

32. A method according to claim 30 wherein a portion of the replacement cartilage is secured in the bone tunnel using suture.

33. A method according to claim 28 wherein repairing the cartilage comprises transplanting cartilage.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2011
From: IBALANCE MEDICAL, INC.
To: ARTHREX, INC.
Reel/Frame 026096/0496 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2009
From: IBALANCE MEDICAL, INC.
To: VENTURE LENDING & LEASING IV, INC.; VENTURE LENDING & LEASING V, INC.
Reel/Frame 022243/0510 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 28, 2008
From: AMMANN, KELLY G.; NOVAK, VINCENT P.
To: IBALANCE MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 021915/0986 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 11888506 · Aug 1, 2007
Provisional Application 60928389 · May 9, 2007
Related Publication 20090076512A1 · Mar 19, 2009