Anchor having a controlled driver orientation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an interference screw having a body with a proximal end, distal end, and longitudinal axis extending between thereinbetween. The screw further includes threads for fixing the screw into bone. The screw further includes a through bore defined by the body. The through bore extends between the proximal and distal ends along the longitudinal axis, and has a surface. The screw further includes a controlling member formed by the through bore surface. To install the screw into bone, a surgeon turns the screw with a driver that engages with the controlling member. The driver only engages the controlling member when it is in a driving orientation with respect to the controlling member. Advantageously, with this “one-way” engagement the surgeon can control and confirm the orientation of the driver without seeing the driver and / or screw.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 085,295, filed Nov. 20, 2013, which in turn is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 044,777, filed Mar. 10, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,979,865, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 312,291, filed Mar. 10, 2010, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 334,808, filed May 14, 2010, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 359,080, filed Jun. 28, 2010 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.BACKGROUND[0002]Field of Technology[0003]The present disclosure relates to medical apparatuses and procedures in general, and more particularly to medical apparatuses and procedures for reconstructing a ligament.[0004]Related Art[0005]In many cases, ligaments are torn or ruptured as the result of an accident. Accordingly, various procedures have been de...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The new screw design enhances bone-to-ligament integration by reducing bulk within the bone tunnel, facilitating complete absorption and improving the strength of the graft-ligament junction.

Problems solved by technology

In many cases, ligaments are torn or ruptured as the result of an accident.

However, the interference screw itself generally takes up a substantial amount of space within the bone tunnel, which can limit the surface area contact established between the graft ligament and the side wall of the bone tunnel.

This in turn limits the region of bone-to-ligament in-growth, and hence can affect the strength of the joinder.

However, these absorbable interference screws still suffer from several disadvantages.

Second, clinical evidence suggests that absorption generally takes a substantial period of time, e.g., on the order of three years or so.

Thus, during this absorption time, the bone-to-ligament in-growth is still significantly limited by the presence of the interference screw.

Third, clinical evidence suggests that, for many patients, absorption is never complete, leaving a substantial foreign mass remaining within the body.

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