Sheaths for implantable fixation devices
Sheaths for implantable fixation devices and methods of using the sheaths are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, and an interior of the body is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. Sheaths include a plurality of flexible or inflexible tubes arranged to form a ring, where the central cavity defined by the ring is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.
1. A combination comprising:
a sheath including a flexible body defining a tube having two ends, each end having an opening of substantially the same dimensions, the tube having a relieved wall and defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a fixation device that is configured to be inserted into a bone tunnel; and
the fixation device, the fixation device having a shaft sized and shaped to snugly fit within the interior of the tube, the shaft including generally rounded screw threads.
2. The combination of claim 1 , wherein each opening is circular.
3. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the flexible body is made from bioabsorbable material.
4. The combination of claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent in contact with the flexible body.
5. The combination of claim 4 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an osteoinductive agent.
6. The combination of claim 4 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a growth factor.
7. The combination of claim 4 , wherein the therapeutic agent is integrated into a material that forms the body.
8. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the flexible body has a roughened exterior surface.
9. A combination comprising:
a sheath including a flexible body having two ends, each end having an opening of substantially the same dimensions, the body having a relieved wall with a major portion of the wall being open, the walk defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue fixation device that is configured to be inserted into a bone tunnel; and
the soft tissue fixation device, the soft tissue fixation device having a shaft sized and shaped to snugly fit within the interior of the sheath.
10. The combination of claim 9 , wherein the flexible body has a roughened exterior surface.
11. The combination of claim 9 , wherein the sheath includes a plurality of generally parallel tubes arranged to form a ring, a portion of each tube forming a portion of the relieved wall of the flexible body.
12. The combination of claim 11 , wherein at least some of the tubes are sized and shaped to receive a portion of a soft tissue graft.
13. A combination comprising:
a sheath including a flexible body having two ends, each end having an opening of substantially the same dimensions, the body having a perforated relieved wall defining an interior sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue fixation device that is configured to be inserted into a bone tunnel, and a graft, with the graft positioned between the soft tissue fixation device and the wall; and
the soft tissue fixation device.
14. The combination of claim 13 , wherein the wall defines a plurality of holes therethrough.
15. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the flexible body comprises strands defining spaces therebetween that define the holes.
16. The combination of claim 13 , wherein the soft tissue fixation device is a bone screw, and the flexible body is sized and shaped to snugly receive the shaft of the bone screw and a portion of the graft.
17. The combination of claim 16 , wherein the bone screw includes generally rounded screw threads.
18. The combination of claim 13 , wherein each opening is circular.
19. The combination of claim 13 , wherein the flexible body is made from bioabsorbable material.
20. The combination of claim 13 , wherein the flexible body has a roughened exterior surface.