Graft fixation

Abstract

A system for graft fixation including ACL graft reconstruction and fixation is presented. The system may comprise a loop fixation device for retaining a tissue graft. The loop fixation device may comprise a graft retention portion and a cortical fixation portion to allow the loop fixation device to rest on the cortical portion of a bone. A tissue graft may pass through a bone tunnel and engage the loop fixation device preventing withdraw of the tissue graft back through the bone tunnel. The system may also include graft fixation within a bone tunnel using a sleeve, or tube construct, with a fixation member, or screw, to engage a tissue graft within the sleeve.

1 . A system comprising:
 a body comprising:
 a retention portion, wherein the retention portion is configured to be engaged with a flexible member, received in a first tunnel defined by a first member, and engaged with the flexible member; and 
 a first flange configured to engage an outside surface of the first member; and 
   a screw configured to at least partially secure, at least one strand of the flexible member, near a proximal end of a second tunnel defined by a second member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg and the second leg extend from the retention portion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second flange, wherein the first flange extends from the first leg and the second flange extends from the second leg. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second flange, wherein the second flange is configured to engage the outside surface of the first member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the screw comprises a head comprising at least one tooth interfacing the flexible member, wherein the tooth is configured such that, interface between the tooth and the flexible member prevents the screw from rotating in a direction which is opposite to a direction in which the screw is rotated for securing the at least one strand of the flexible member. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the screw comprises a head, wherein the head defines at least one slot, wherein the slot is defined such that, an interface established between the slot and the flexible member prevents the screw from rotating in a direction which is opposite to a direction in which the screw is rotated for securing the at least one strand of the flexible member. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the screw comprises a screw body, wherein at least a part of the screw body is tapered towards a distal end of the screw body. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to be engaged to the second tunnel, and wherein the screw is engaged with the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one fin, wherein the fin projects from an outside surface of the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein dimension of the fin decreases as the fin advances toward a distal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . A method for fixing a flexible member, the method comprising:
 engaging a flexible member with a retention portion of a body;   tensioning the flexible member, wherein the tensioning results in receiving at least the retention portion of the body inside a first tunnel define by a first member;   limiting the body from being completely received by the first tunnel as a result of the said tensioning, by engaging at least a first flange with an outside surface of the first member; and   at least partially securing, at least one strand of the flexible member, near a proximal end of a second tunnel defined by a second member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein engaging the flexible member with the retention portion comprises, accommodating at least one loop formed by the flexible member in the retention portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein limiting the body from being completely received by the first tunnel comprises engaging at least a second flange with the outside surface of the first member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the at least one strand of the flexible member comprises pressing the at least one strand of the flexible member against an outside surface of the second member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the at least one strand of the flexible member comprises:
 engaging a screw with the second tunnel through which the at least one strand protrudes; and   creating an interface between a head of the screw and the at least one strand, such that, the interface prevents the screw from rotating in a direction which is opposite to a direction in which the screw is rotated for engaging the screw with the second tunnel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the at least one strand of the flexible member comprises pressing the at least one strand against an inside surface of a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is at least partially located inside the second tunnel. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a body comprising:   a retention means for engaging a flexible member; and   an engagement means for engaging the body with an outside surface of a first member; and   a securing means for securing at least one strand of the flexible member against a wall of a tunnel.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the retention means is configured to be received into the first member. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the securing means is configured to create an interface with the at least one strand, such that, the interface prevents the securing means from rotating in a direction which is opposite to a direction in which the securing means is rotated to secure the at least one strand of the flexible member against the wall of the tunnel. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising an accommodation means, wherein the accommodation means is configured to receive at least one strand of the flexible member and engage with the securing means.