An improvised implant for cortical bone fixation

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvised implant for cortical bone fixation The implant includes a base (1) provided with a plurality of grooves (7) and a central socket (9). Each of the grooves (7) is configured for receiving at least one suture to allow extra cortical fixation. The central socket (9) is configured to releasably engage a driving means during fixation or removal of the implant. The implant further includes a structure (3) provided with threads (7) of decreasing radii formed out of the base (1). The invention also discloses a method for ligament reconstruction by means of an improvised implant. The method enables cortical fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced windshield wiper effect.

Description

[0001] AN IMPROVISED IMPLANT FOR CORTICAL BONE FIXATION

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention generally relates to an implant for cortical bone fixation. In particular, the invention discloses an improvised implant for cortical bone fixation during ligament reconstruction.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Ligaments are bands of elastic tissues that surround to connect two bones together. Specifically, knee ligaments hold the knee together, connecting the thigh bone (femor) to the shin bone (tibia). Injuries to the knee ligament severely limits knee movement, thereby causing pain and warranting a repair and / or reconstruction. A surgical procedure is required for ligament reconstruction. Examples of surgical procedure include but are not limited to repair, tighten or replace a partially or completely torn ligament. Various implants are employed in the surgical procedure. One such example of the implant is use of an interference screw for ligament repair. However, there are a few inherent drawbacks in the intereference screw, that is known in the art. One such drawback is a result from the toggling of the implant inside the bone in unstable fixation resulting in formation of osteolytic lesion around the tip of the bone. This toggling effect is commonly referred to as the windshield wiper effect.

[0006] One of the implants known in the art is an open-architecture interference screw. The screw includes a threaded body, and thread extending around the threaded body. A supporting spline extending along a cannulation through the threaded body. The screw additionally includes at least one opening defined by a surface between threads of the threaded body and a tapered tip. The interference screw creates an interference fit between a bone tunnel and tissue.

[0007] Another implant known in the art discloses a base component mountable to a bone. The base component includes a body, a plurality of openings configured to receive fastening members, and a removable mounting member attached to the body.

[0008] Yet another implant known in the art discloses a system for use in graft fixation in a knee reconstruction. The system includes a first flexible member construct interconnected to a first femoral fixation member. A second femoral fixation member is coupled to the first flexible member construct. The second femoral fixation member is adapted to be positioned in a femoral tunnel relatively adjacent to a joint space between a femur and a tibia. A second self-locking adjustable flexible member construct having a passage portion with a pair of free ends and a pair of self-locking adjustable loops is interconnected to the second femoral fixation member.

[0009] However, all the implants described herein above have complex arrangements and / or method for cortical fixation, thereby resulting in persistence of the windshield wiper effect. Therefore, there is a need in the art for fixation components or implants that reduces or eliminates the trauma due to the windshield wiper effect.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] The invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an improvised implant for cortical bone fixation during ligament reconstruction. One aspect of the invention discloses an improvised implant for cortical bone fixation. The implant includes a base provided with a plurality of grooves and a central socket. Each of the grooves is configured for receiving at least one suture to allow extra cortical fixation. The central socket is configured to releasably engage a driving means during fixation or removal of the implant. The implant further includes a structure provided with threads of decreasing radii formed out of the base. The improvised implant allows simultaneous extra cortical and intra cortical fixation.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention discloses a method for ligament reconstruction by means of an improvised implant. The method includes inserting a graft into a bone tunnel. The inserted graft is secured by fastening the implant in the bone tunnel. A plurality of sutures emerging from the graft is passed through the plurality of grooves in the base. The secured graft is restrained by binding each of the sutures emerging from each of the grooves to one another. The method enables cortical bone fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced wind wiper effect.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] So that the manner in which the recited features of the invention can be understood in detail, some of the embodiments are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 1a shows a front view of an improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1b shows a cross sectional view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2a shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 2b shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 3a-3c generally shows a schematic representation of cortical fixation by means of the improvised implant, according to an example of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows a front view of an improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 5a shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a first alternate embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5b shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a second alternate embodiment of the invention.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The definitions, terms and terminology adopted in the disclosure have their usual meaning and interpretations, unless otherwise specified. Various embodiments of the invention disclose an improvised implant for cortical bone fixation. The implant includes a base provided with a plurality of grooves configured for receiving at least one suture and a central socket. The central socket is configured to releasably engage a driving means during fixation or removal of the implant. The implant further includes a structure provided with threads of decreasing radii formed out of the base. The improvised implant allows simultaneous extra cortical and intra cortical fixation. The arrangement described briefly herein above, shall be explained as exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 1a shows a front view of an improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to an embodiment of the invention. The improvised implant (100) includes a base (1) and a structure (3) provided with threads (5) of decreasing radii formed out of the base (1). The base (1) is provided with a plurality of grooves (7) and a central socket (9).

[0025] FIG. 1b shows a cross sectional view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to an embodiment of the invention. The plurality of the grooves (7) and the central socket (9) formed in the base (1); and the structure (3) provided with threads (5) of decreasing radii of the improvised implant is illustrated. The position of the grooves (7) is depicted according to an example of the invention.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the threads (5) of decreasing radii as shown in FIG. 1a, allows a step wise direct malleting of the driving means for securing the improvised implant. FIG. 2a shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The figure illustrates the position of the grooves (7) and the central socket (9) formed in the base (1) of the implant.

[0027] FIG. 2b shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a second embodiment of the invention. The figure illustrates positioning of a plurality of grooves (7a and 7b) and the central socket (9) formed in the base (1) of the implant.

[0028] The plurality of grooves (7a and 7b) include at least one pair of grooves (7a) to permit the passage of the free ends of the sutures and one pair of an open slotted grooves (7b) provided in the base (1) to permit adjustment of a looped suture.

[0029] Another aspect of the invention discloses a method for ligament reconstruction by means of an improvised implant. The method includes inserting a graft into a bone tunnel. The inserted graft is secured by fastening the implant in the bone tunnel. A plurality of sutures emerging from the graft is passed through the plurality of grooves on the base. The secured graft is restrained by binding each of the sutures emerging from each of the grooves to one another. The method enables cortical bone fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced windshield wiper effect.

[0030] The method disclosed herein above shall be explained as exemplary embodiments of the invention. The method includes inserting a graft into a bone tunnel. The inserted graft is secured by fastening the implant in the bone tunnel. The process of fastening the inserted graft includes attaching a first end of the inserted graft to a torn ligament or secured to the bone. Subsequently, a second end of the inserted graft is seized by means of the implant permitting intra cortical fixation. The fixation is achieved either through malleting or rotating the implant through a driving means for securing the graft. In one example, the seizing of the second end of the inserted graft is achieved by malleting the improvised implant through the driving means. The driving means has a complementary fit with the central socket (9) of the base (1). The implant holds the graft between the bone tunnel and the structure (3) provided with threads (5) of decreasing radii formed out of the base (1) causing sufficient compression of the graft for enabling intra cortical fixation.

[0031] Additionally, the method involves restraining the secured graft by passing a plurality of sutures emerging from the second end of the graft through the plurality of grooves (7) on the base (1). The grooves (7) on the base (1) are configured for receiving at least one suture. Each of the sutures is passed through each of the grooves (7) on the base (1) for fastening a graft to the improvised implant. Subsequently, each of the sutures emerging from each of the grooves (7) is bound together ensuring extra cortical fixation. The improvised implant permits graft fixation for ligament reconstruction.

[0032] The improvised implant allows simultaneous extra cortical and intra cortical fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced windshield wiper effect.

[0033] FIG. 3a-3c generally shows a schematic representation of cortical fixation by means of the improvised implant, according to an example of the invention. The representation depicts the process of an ACL reconstruction surgery that involves joining the ligament between a femur bone and a tibia bone. The process involves obtaining a graft (11) as shown in FIG. 3a prepared by the standard techniques known in the art. At least one region on the tibia bone (13) and femur bone (15) is identified for drilling a bone tunnel (17). The prepared graft (11) is inserted through the bone tunnel (17) as shown in FIG. 3b. One end the graft (11) is secured to the femur bone (15) by means of the standard techniques known in the art. The other end of the graft in the tibia bone (13) is seized by malleting the improvised implant by means of the driving means. The driving means has complementary fit with the central socket (9), and the improvised implant is malleted till sufficient tensioning of the graft (11) is achieved. The graft (11) is seized between the bone tunnel (17) and the structure (3). The graft (11) is further restrained by passing the plurality of sutures (19) emerging from the second end of the graft (11) through the plurality of grooves (7) in the base (1). The sutures (19) are joined together to bind the sutures (19) to the base (1) of the improvised implant as shown in FIG. 3c.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a front view of an improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the improvised implant (200) includes a base (1) and a structure (3) provided with threads (5) of decreasing radii. The base (1) is provided with a plurality of grooves (7) and a central socket (9). The threads (5) of decreasing radii form a spiral pattern as shown in FIG. 4. The spiral pattern permits rotational and linear motion for securing the improvised implant (200) by means of the driving means having a complementary fit with the central socket (9).

[0035] FIG. 5a shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a first alternate embodiment of the invention. The figure illustrates the position of the grooves (7) and the central socket (9) formed in the base (1) of the implant.

[0036] FIG. 5b shows a top view of the improvised implant for cortical fixation, according to a second alternate embodiment of the invention. The figure illustrates positioning of a plurality of grooves (7a and 7b) and the central socket (9) formed in the base (1) of the improvised implant. The plurality of the grooves (7a and 7b) includes a pair of slotted grooves (7b) and a pair of grooves (7a), each of the grooves configured for receiving a plurality of sutures.

[0037] Yet another aspect of the invention discloses an alternate method for ligament reconstruction by means of an improvised implant. The method includes inserting a graft into a bone tunnel. The inserted graft is secured by fastening the implant in the bone tunnel. The process of fastening the inserted graft includes attaching a first end of the inserted graft to a torn ligament or secured to the bone; and seizing a second end of the inserted graft to the implant. The seizing of the implant ensures intra cortical fixation. The seizing of the second end of the inserted graft is achieved by either rotating or malleting the improvised implant by means of a driving means. The driving means has a complementary fit with the central socket (9) of the base (1). In one example, the driving means is used for rotating the implant for linear movement ensuring the implant holds the graft between the bone tunnel and the structure (3) provided with threads (5) of decreasing radii formed out of the base (1).

[0038] Additionally the method involves restraining the secured graft by passing a plurality of sutures emerging from the second end of the graft through the plurality of grooves (7a and 7b) on the base (1). The plurality of sutures include at least one looped suture and another pair of sutures with free ends emerging from the graft (11). The plurality of the grooves includes a slotted groove (7b) configured to receive the looped suture, and a pair of groove (7a), each configured for receiving the free end of the sutures emerging from the second end of the graft (11). The looped suture is slid through the slotted grooves (7b), and the sutures with free end are passed through the grooves (7a). The free ends of the sutures are secured together ensuring extra cortical fixation. The improvised implant allows simultaneous extra cortical and intra cortical fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced windshield wiper effect.

[0039] ADVANTAGES:

[0040] The invention provides an improvised implant that permits simultaneous extra cortical and intra cortical fixation. The unibody construct of the improvised implant allows effective cortical fixation.

[0041] The invention enables cortical bone fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced windshield wiper effect.

[0042] The foregoing description of the invention has been set for merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the scope and substance of the invention may occur to a person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An improvised implant for cortical bone fixation, the implant comprising of: a base (1) provided with a plurality of grooves (7) and a central socket (9), and a structure (3) provided with threads (5) of decreasing radii formed out of the base (1), wherein the implant allows simultaneous extra cortical and intra cortical fixation.

2. The implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the grooves (7) is configured for receiving at least one suture to allow extra cortical fixation.

3. The implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the sutures is passed through each of the grooves (7) in the base (1) for binding a graft (11) to the implant.

4. The implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central socket (9) is configured to releasably engage a driving means during fixation or removal of the improvised implant.

5. The implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the implant is malleted or rotated by means of the driving means for seizing the graft.

6. The implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the implant permits graft fixation for ligament reconstruction.

7. The implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure (3) with threads (5) of decreasing radii enables compression of the graft against the bone tunnel permitting intra cortical fixation.

8. A method for ligament reconstruction by means of an improvised implant having a base (1) provided with a plurality of grooves (7) and a central socket (9); and a structure (3) provided with threads(5) of decreasing radii formed out of the base (1), the method comprising of; inserting a graft (11) into a bone tunnel (17); securing the inserted graft (11) by fastening the improvised implant in the bone tunnel (17), passing a plurality of sutures (19) emerging from the graft (11) through the plurality of grooves (7) on the base (1); and restraining the secured graft (11) by binding each of the sutures (19) emerging from each of the grooves (7) to one another; wherein the method enables cortical fixation for ligament reconstruction with reduced windshield wiper effect.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fastening further involves attaching a first end of the inserted graft (11) to the ligament; and seizing a second end of the inserted graft (11) to the improvised implant.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the seizing is either by rotating or malleting the improvised implant by means of a driving means, wherein the improvised implant holds the graft between the bone tunnel (17) and the structure (5).

Images