Eyelet interference screw and methods of use

Abstract

Provided herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for an eyelet interference screw and affixation of an implant to tissue employing the eyelet interference screw.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eyelet interference screw, comprising: a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end; an eyelet member having an eyelet opening disposed at the first end; a threaded member disposed at the second end; and wherein the first end and the second end are operably coupled to each other such that the first end is rotatable about the longitudinal axis independent of the second end. 
     
     
         2 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member further comprises an unthreaded section and a threaded section. 
     
     
         3 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelet member further includes a connector projection and the second end further includes a central bore, wherein the central bore is configured to receive the connector projection therein. 
     
     
         4 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 3 , wherein the connector projection further comprises at least two legs and a slot between the at least two legs, each of the at least two legs terminating in a pawl. 
     
     
         5 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 3 , wherein the eyelet member further includes a first section having a curved leading surface and a second section adjacent the connector projection and from which the connector projection extends. 
     
     
         6 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 4 , wherein each of the at least two legs are configured to flex toward the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 5 , wherein the second section of the eyelet member further includes a taper along the longitudinal axis of the eyelet interference screw. 
     
     
         8 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member further comprises at least one external protuberance selected from the group of continuous helical thread, discontinuous helical threads, and circumferential ring. 
     
     
         9 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 4 , wherein the central bore further comprises a first bore section and a second bore section, the first bore section being configured to receive the connector projection therein. 
     
     
         10 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 9 , wherein the second bore section has a diameter relatively larger than a diameter of the first bore section and a flange positioned at a junction between the first bore section and the second bore section, wherein the pawl of the at least two legs pass through the first bore section and into the second bore section and seat against the flange. 
     
     
         11 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 9 , wherein the first bore section further includes a receiving opening configured to receive the connector projection therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving opening is tapered toward the first bore section. 
     
     
         13 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 9 , wherein the second bore section further includes a driver coupling opening configured to couple a driver member thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 13 , wherein the second bore section further includes a plurality of splines along an inner surface of the second bore section, the splines being configured to engage the driver member within the second bore section. 
     
     
         15 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 2 , wherein a first bore section passes through the unthreaded section of the threaded member and a second bore section passes through the threaded section of the threaded member. 
     
     
         16 . An eyelet interference screw, comprising: an eyelet member positioned at a first end or the eyelet interference screw, the eyelet member having an eyelet opening passing through the eyelet member; a threaded member positioned at a second end or the eyelet interference screw; and wherein the eyelet member and the threaded member are coupled to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 16 , wherein the eyelet member and the threaded member are fixed relative to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 16 , wherein the eyelet member is independently rotatable relative to the threaded member. 
     
     
         19 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 18 , wherein the eyelet member further includes a connector projection and the second end further includes a central bore, wherein the central bore is configured to receive the connector projection therein. 
     
     
         20 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 19 , wherein the connector projection further comprises at least two legs and a slot between the at least two legs, each of the at least two legs terminating in a pawl. 
     
     
         21 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 16 , wherein the threaded member further comprises at least one external protuberance selected from the group of continuous helical thread, discontinuous helical threads, and circumferential ring. 
     
     
         22 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 19 , wherein the central bore further comprises a first bore section and a second bore section, the first bore section being configured to receive the connector projection therein. 
     
     
         23 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 22 , wherein the second bore section has a diameter relatively larger than a diameter of the first bore section and a flange positioned at a junction between the first bore section and the second bore section, wherein the pawl of the at least two legs pass through the first bore section and into the second bore section and seat against the flange. 
     
     
         24 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 22 , wherein the first bore section further includes a receiving opening configured to receive the connector projection therethrough. 
     
     
         25 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 24 , wherein the receiving opening is tapered toward the first bore section. 
     
     
         26 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 24 , wherein the second bore section further includes a driver coupling opening configured to couple a driver member thereto. 
     
     
         27 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 26 , wherein the second bore section further includes a plurality of splines along an inner surface of the second bore section, the splines being configured to engage the driver member within the second bore section. 
     
     
         28 . The eyelet interference screw of  claim 22 , wherein a first bore section passes through the unthreaded section of the threaded member and a second bore section passes through the threaded section of the threaded member.