Self-tapping biocompatible interference bone screw

Abstract

A biocompatible interference screw for soft tissue or bone-to-bone fixation comprises a screw body extending from a screw head to a distal tip of the screw. The screw body has an outer surface, and comprises polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) material. Advantageously, the body outer surface has a textured surface finish for substantially improving pull-out strength of the interference screw. The textured surface finish is textured, in preferred embodiments, with a minimum of approximately 16 micro inches of surface roughness. The screw head comprises a tapered square keyhole for receiving a distal end of a driver instrument. The screw comprises a series of threads, which have a relatively smooth profile, in order to prevent graft tissue laceration as the screw is being inserted. The distal tip of the screw body comprises a narrow tip, and a distal end of the screw body is angled inwardly toward the narrow distal tip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biocompatible interference screw for soft tissue or bone-to-bone fixation, comprising:
 a screw head for permitting a user to insert the screw to a desired location within a patient's body; and   a screw body extending from said screw head to a distal tip of the screw, said screw body having an outer surface;   wherein said screw body comprises polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) material, and said outer surface has a textured surface finish for substantially improving pull-out strength of said interference screw.   
     
     
         2 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said screw head is rounded in configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said screw further comprises a tapered square keyhole in said screw head for receiving a distal end of a driver instrument. 
     
     
         4 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said screw comprises a series of threads, said threads having a relatively smooth profile. 
     
     
         5 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said distal tip comprises a narrow tip, and a distal end of the screw body is angled inwardly toward said distal tip. 
     
     
         6 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of said screw body has a tapered configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said tapered distal portion comprises approximately one-half of a total length of said screw body. 
     
     
         8 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said textured surface finish is textured with a minimum of approximately 16 micro inches of surface roughness. 
     
     
         9 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said textured surface finish is bead blasted. 
     
     
         10 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said screw body further comprises a transitioning thread cut adjacent to said screw head. 
     
     
         11 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising cannulation extending through said screw body for receiving a guide wire. 
     
     
         12 . The interference screw as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the screw body has a trilobular configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A system for performing soft tissue or bone-to-bone fixation, comprising:
 a biocompatible interference screw comprising a screw body fabricated of PEEK material and having a threaded outer surface; said screw body outer surface having a textured surface finish;   a driver comprising a handle and an attached shaft distal to said handle, said handle and attached shaft having a cannulation therethrough for receiving a guide wire.   
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , and further comprising a guide wire. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said handle further comprises a locking thumb wheel for locking and unlocking a guide wire in place within said cannulation. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said shaft has a distal tip configured to mate with a head of said screw body for inserting said screw into a desired body location and driving said screw in place within bone at said desired body location. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the textured surface finish on said screw body outer surface is textured with a minimum of approximately 16 micro inches of surface roughness. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said screw body also has a cannulation therethrough for receiving a guide wire.