IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,591,580
Granted Patent B2
US 8,591,580 · App. 13/489,193 · Granted Nov 26, 2013

Folded ligament graft

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,591,580
App. No.
13/489,193
Filed
Jun 5, 2012
Granted
Nov 26, 2013
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3774
USPC
623/13.17
Abstract

A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.

Claims (8)

1. A graft ligament having a first end and second end, said first end and said second end defining a first longitudinal axis, and said graft ligament having a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along said first longitudinal axis between said first end and said second end, said graft ligament comprising:

a tendon having a third end and a fourth end, said third end and said fourth end defining a second longitudinal axis therebetween, said tendon having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness along said second longitudinal axis between said third end and said fourth end, and said tendon having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion along said second longitudinal axis between said third end and said fourth end; and

a securing material securing at least one section of said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion with another at least one section of said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion so as to form said graft ligament with a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness along said first longitudinal axis between said first end and second end;

wherein said tendon has said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion in series from said third end to said fourth end, and further wherein said second portion has a given mean cross-sectional thickness, and said first portion and said third portion each have a smaller mean cross-sectional thickness than said given mean cross-sectional thickness;

wherein said first portion and said third portion are each folded against said second portion and sutured thereto, respectively;

wherein said first portion and said third portion are each folded upon themselves along a third given length and a fourth given length, respectively, and sutured thereto, said second portion is folded upon itself and sutured therebetween, and said first portion and said third portion are sutured to one another.

2. A graft ligament according to claim 1 , wherein said third given length and said fourth given length are equal to one another.

3. A graft ligament according to claim 1 , wherein said fourth given length is longer than said third given length.