Method and device for the fixation of a tendon graft

1. A method for securing a transplant in a bone tunnel, comprising the steps of:

forming a tunnel in a bone;

providing a fixation device for securing a transplant in said tunnel, having a strap with a plurality of protrusions disposed along its length, a fastening member with an aperture therein for passing the strap, and a connection element disposed at a distal end of said strap for engaging a transplant, said fastening member further comprising a distal side, a longitudinal axis of said aperture being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said bone tunnel when said fastening member distal side lies substantially flush against an outer surface of the bone, said fastening member further comprising a self-locking element having a camming surface adjacent to a locking surface positioned to engage at least one of said plurality of protrusions and a stem, said camming surface defining a portion of said aperture and said locking surface being parallel to the distal side of said fastening member, said stem flexibly connecting said self-locking element to said fastening member;

engaging a transplant on said connection element;

passing a proximal end of said strap through said tunnel;

passing a proximal end of said strap through said aperture, said plurality of protrusions causing said stem to flex slightly inward and engaging said plurality of protrusions with said locking surface; and

moving said fastening member in a distal direction down said strap until an undersurface of said fastening member engages the bone;

wherein said camming surface is positioned at a 45-degree angle with respect to the distal side of said fastening member.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of said aperture is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said bone tunnel.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said aperture traverses said fastening member at a 45 degree angle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming a tunnel in a bone further comprises the steps of forming a first tunnel section in a bone and forming a second tunnel section in a bone proximally of said first tunnel section, said first and second tunnel sections being coaxial, said first tunnel section having a radius smaller than a radius of said second tunnel section.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the intersection of said first and second tunnel sections defines a notch in said bone tunnel.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said connection element further comprises a shoulder for engaging said notch.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing a portion of the strap extending distally of said fastening member.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of protrusions comprise a plurality of teeth.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said self-locking element comprises a pawl shaped to engage at least one of said plurality of teeth.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said teeth comprise a proximal side and a distal side, the proximal side of each of said teeth sloping downwards towards a proximal end of the strap.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said connection element comprises an eyelet for receiving a portion of said transplant.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said connection element comprises a wedge for pressing a transplant against an inner surface of said bone tunnel.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said connection element comprises at least one prong for engaging a hole in a bone block of a transplant.

14. A method for securing a transplant in a bone tunnel, comprising the steps of:

forming a tunnel in a bone;

providing a fixation device for securing a transplant in said tunnel, having a strap with a plurality of protrusions disposed along its length, a fastening member with an aperture therein for passing the strap, and a connection element disposed at a distal end of said strap for engaging a transplant, said fastening member further comprising a distal side, a longitudinal axis of said aperture being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said bone tunnel when said fastening member distal side lies substantially flush against an outer surface of the bone, said fastening member further comprising a self-locking element having a camming surface adjacent to a locking surface positioned to engage at least one of said plurality of protrusions and a stem, said camming surface defining a portion of said aperture and said locking surface being parallel to the distal side of said fastening member, said stem flexibly connecting said self-locking element to said fastening member;

engaging a transplant on said connection element;

passing a proximal end of said strap through said tunnel;

passing a proximal end of said strap through said aperture, said plurality of protrusions causing said stem to flex slightly inward and engaging said plurality of protrusions with said locking surface; and

moving said fastening member in a distal direction down said strap until an undersurface of said fastening member engages the bone;

wherein said aperture traverses said fastening member at a 45 degree angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said fastening member.