Apparatus and method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone

Abstract

A novel fixation system for fixing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The fixation system comprises an interference screw comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body for receiving a transverse pin therein, whereby to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising the steps of: (i) drilling a tunnel in the bone; (ii) positioning the graft ligament in the bone tunnel; (iii) placing an interference screw in the bone tunnel so as to force the graft ligament laterally against the opposite side of the bone tunnel; and (iv) advancing a transverse pin transversely through the bone and through the interference screw so as to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone. The present invention can also be applied to attach other objects to bone, e.g., a bone fragment to bone.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fixation system for fixing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel, comprising an interference screw comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body for receiving a transverse pin therein.  
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a hole formed in the body of the interference screw.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a bioabsorbable material.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said interference screw comprises a plurality of transversely-extending regions.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the circumference of the interference screw.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 4  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the interference screw.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the body of the interference screw has a keyway formed therein so as to permit (i) driving of the interference screw, and (ii) association with a transverse guide assembly for placing a transverse pin through the host bone and through the transversely-extending region formed in the interference screw, whereby to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone.  
     
     
         8 . A transverse guide assembly for use in passing a transverse pin through a host bone and through a transversely-extending region formed in an interference screw, wherein the transverse guide assembly comprises a key member, a boom member and a guide member, and further wherein the key member is adapted to be connected to a keyway formed in the proximal end of the interference screw, the boom member is connected to the key member and supports the guide member outboard of the interference screw, and the guide member is adapted to support a drill for forming a hole to receive the transverse pin which extends transversely through the host bone and the transversely-extending region formed in the interference screw.  
     
     
         9 . A transverse guide assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said guide member is oriented at a right angle to the key member.  
     
     
         10 . A transverse guide assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said guide member is oriented at an acute angle to said key member.  
     
     
         11 . A transverse guide assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said boom member is adapted to receive said guide member with a plurality of different orientations.  
     
     
         12 . A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (i) drilling a tunnel in the bone;    (ii) positioning the graft ligament in the bone tunnel;    (iii) placing an interference screw in the bone tunnel so as to force the graft ligament laterally against the opposite side of the bone tunnel; and    (iv) advancing a transverse pin transversely through the bone and through the interference screw so as to securely lock the interference screw, and hence the graft ligament, to the bone.    
     
     
         13 . A fixation system for fixing an object to a bone tunnel, comprising a bone screw comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, screw threads extending longitudinally along the body, and a transversely-extending region formed in the body for receiving a transverse pin therein.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a hole formed in the body of the bone screw.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 13  wherein said transversely-extending region comprises a bioabsorbable material.  
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 13  wherein said bone screw comprises a plurality of transversely-extending regions.  
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the circumference of the bone screw.  
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein said transversely-extending regions are spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis of the bone screw.  
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 13  wherein the proximal end of the body of the bone screw has a keyway formed therein so as to permit (i) driving of the bone screw, and (ii) association with a transverse guide assembly for placing a transverse pin through the host bone and through the transversely-extending region formed in the bone screw, whereby to securely lock the bone screw, and hence the object, to the bone.  
     
     
         20 . A transverse guide assembly for use in passing a transverse pin through a host bone and through a transversely-extending region formed in a bone screw, wherein the transverse guide assembly comprises a key member, a boom member and a guide member, and further wherein the key member is adapted to be connected to a keyway formed in the proximal end of the bone screw, the boom member is connected to the key member and supports the guide member outboard of the bone screw, and the guide member is adapted to support a drill for forming a hole to receive the transverse pin which extends transversely through the host bone and the transversely-extending region formed in the bone screw.  
     
     
         21 . A transversely guide assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said guide member is oriented at a right angle to the key member.  
     
     
         22 . A transverse guide assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said guide member is oriented at an acute angle to said key member.  
     
     
         23 . A transverse guide assembly according to  claim 20  wherein said boom member is adapted to receive said guide member with a plurality of different orientations.  
     
     
         24 . A method for attaching an object to a bone, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (i) passing a bone screw through the object and into the bone; and    (ii) advancing a transverse pin transversely through the bone and through the bone screw so as to securely lock the bone screw, and hence the object, to the bone.