Securing connective tissue to a bone surface

Abstract

Systems and methods for replacing, reconstructing and/or securing synthetic or biological connective tissue to interior and/or exterior bone surfaces. An anchoring apparatus and method of use are disclosed that secure a tendon or ligament within an interior opening of a bone structure. The apparatus comprises a securing device, a retention device, and an anchoring device. The securing device has an elongated body with an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the tendon or ligament fits between the interior of the open bone structure and the outer surface of the securing device. The retention device has an elongated body and a retention head, wherein the retention device securely fits within the interior surface of the securing device. The anchoring or holding device connects to the retention head of the retention device and extends outside the interior opening of the bone structure to engage the outer surface of the bone structure to hold the retention device and securing device in a fixed position inside the bone structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface, the method comprising the steps for: 
 preparing a bone tunnel through a bone structure;    grafting a soft tissue graft to the connective tissue;    inserting the soft tissue graft within the bone tunnel;    inserting a securing device within the bone tunnel with the graft between the securing device and an interior surface of the bone tunnel; and    inserting a retention device within the securing device such that an anchoring device connected to a head of the retention device presses against an outside cortex of the bone tunnel.    
     
     
         2 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connective tissue comprises one of: 
 (i) a tendon; and    (ii) a ligament.    
     
     
         3 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the step for inserting the soft tissue graft further comprises a step for extending a portion of the soft tissue graft outside the bone tunnel.  
     
     
         4 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the step for inserting a retention device further comprises a step for pressing the extended portion of soft tissue graft between the outside cortex of the bone tunnel and the anchoring device  
     
     
         5 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a step for coupling the connective tissue to the anchoring device.  
     
     
         6 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the step for coupling the connective tissue comprises a step for suturing connective tissue to the anchoring device.  
     
     
         7 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a step for placing the anchoring device within the tunnel such that the anchoring device lays substantially flush with the outside cortex of the bone tunnel.  
     
     
         8 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the step for placing the anchoring device includes a step for embedding one or more spikes in the outside cortex of the bone tunnel.  
     
     
         9 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring device pivotally connects to the head of the retention device.  
     
     
         10 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a step for embedding a spike of the anchoring device within the outside cortex of the bone tunnel.  
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface, the method comprising the steps for: 
 preparing a bone tunnel through a bone structure;    grafting a soft tissue graft to the connective tissue;    inserting the soft tissue graft within the bone tunnel;    inserting a securing device within the bone tunnel with the graft between the securing device and an interior surface of the bone tunnel, wherein the securing device includes an elongated body with an outer surface and an inner channel, and wherein the securing device is configured for placement completely within the bone tunnel; and    inserting a retention device within the securing device such that an anchoring device connected to a head of the retention device presses against an outside cortex of the bone tunnel, wherein the retention device includes an elongated body and a retention head, wherein at least a portion of the elongated body extends down the inner channel of the securing device to cause a bias on the tendon or ligament in a direction toward the bone wall, wherein the retention head includes a rounded portion and a flat portion, and wherein the flat portion is parallel to the length of the elongated body.    
     
     
         12 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the connective tissue comprises one of: 
 (i) a tendon; and    (ii) a ligament.    
     
     
         13 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the step for inserting the soft tissue graft further comprises a step for extending a portion of the soft tissue graft outside the bone tunnel.  
     
     
         14 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the step for inserting a retention device further comprises a step for pressing the extended portion of soft tissue graft between the outside cortex of the bone tunnel and the anchoring device.  
     
     
         15 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a step for coupling the connective tissue to the anchoring device.  
     
     
         16 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the step for coupling the connective tissue comprises a step for suturing connective tissue to the anchoring device.  
     
     
         17 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising steps for: 
 placing the anchoring device within the tunnel such that the anchoring device lays substantially flush with the outside cortex of the bone tunnel; and    connecting the anchoring device a holding device to the retention head by locking at least a portion of the anchoring device with a flat portion of the retention head, and wherein another portion of the anchoring device provides a bias in a direction that is transverse to the bias caused by the elongated body extending down the inner channel of the securing device.    
     
     
         18 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the step for placing the anchoring device includes a step for embedding one or more spikes in the outside cortex of the bone tunnel.  
     
     
         19 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the anchoring device pivotally connects to the head of the retention device  
     
     
         20 . A method for securing a connective tissue to a bone surface as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a step for embedding a spike of the anchoring device within the outside cortex of the bone tunnel.