Clamping assemblies for securing ligaments to a bone

Abstract

An assembly for securing a plurality of end looped ligaments to a bone by a combination clamp and bone screw. The clamp exhibits a tapered or non-linear three dimensional shape to accommodate the folded over ligament end-loop and can be constructed of a plastic or other suitable material, and includes a split location such as permitting the clamp to be forcibly manipulated in position around the looped end of the ligaments, following which they are snap-fit or tightened such that inner facing knurled patterns engage and inwardly compress the overlapping ligament bunches. The screw is pre-positioned during the initial folding of the ligament ends and is fixedly maintained about the inner looped end following installation of the clamp. The shaft portion of the screw can exhibit varying thread profiles, promoting the creation of gripping forces when installed within the user's bone.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An assembly for securing a plurality of looped end ligaments to a bone, comprising:
 a clamp having a body separable along a split location such that said body is adapted to being affixed around both intermediate and looped end locations of the ligaments; and   a screw pre-positioned during the initial folding of the ligament ends, such that an inner looped bend of the ligaments abuts an underside of an enlarged screw head, said screw being fixedly maintained about the inner looped end following installation of the clamp and in turn adapted to engaging a location of the bone.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said clamp body further comprising any of a tapered or non-linear three dimensional shape to accommodate the folded over ligament end-loop. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said clamp body further comprising a plastic and exhibiting inner facing knurled patterns for engaging and inwardly compressing the looped end of the ligaments. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said screw further comprising a shaft portion exhibiting varying thread profiles for promoting gripping when engaged to the bone.