Apparatus and method for reconstructing a ligament

Abstract

A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block for supporting a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The support block includes a body, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein, and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The system further includes a stepped transverse fixation pin having a first portion at a distal end, a second portion at a proximal end, and an annular shoulder configured between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion, the second portion and the annular shoulder form a given profile in a cross-section of a given plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fixation pin.

1 . A system for use in reconstructing a ligament, said system comprising:
 a graft ligament support block for supporting a graft ligament in a bone tunnel, said graft ligament support block comprising:
 a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, 
 a graft hole extending through said body transverse to said longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein, and 
 a transverse fixation pin hole extending through said body transverse to said longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein; and 
   a stepped transverse fixation pin having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, a first portion at said distal end, a second portion at said proximal end, said first portion having a smaller diameter than second portion, and an annular shoulder configured between said first portion and said second portion, wherein said first portion, said second portion and said annular shoulder form a given profile in a cross-section of a given plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stepped transverse tunnel drill having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, said stepped transverse drill corresponding to said given profile of said stepped transverse fixation pin so as to provide a stepped transverse tunnel through the bone tunnel configured to receive said given profile of said stepped transverse fixation pin.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a depth gauge having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said depth gauge configured for placement through a drill sleeve to engage a portion of said stepped transverse tunnel corresponding to said annular shoulder of said stepped fixation pin.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein said depth gauge includes markings thereon between said distal end and said proximal end so as to indicate said transverse fixation pin hole depth between said portion corresponding to said annular shoulder of the stepped fixation pin and a bone surface. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein said markings of said depth gauge indicate said transverse fixation pin hole depth at proximal end of said drill sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , further comprising a transverse fixation pin inserter having a proximal end and a distal end, depth markings disposed thereon between said proximal end and said distal end, and an engagement surface at said distal end to position said transverse fixation pin into said transverse fixation pin hole. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6  wherein said depth markings of said transverse fixation pin inserter indicate depth of said transverse fixation pin at a proximal end of said drill sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an installation tool. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein the installation tool includes a holder, said holder including a shaft and a handle mounted to said shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein the installation tool further includes a drill guide adapted to be releasably secured to the holder.