Helicoil Interference Fixation System For Attaching a Graft Ligament to a Bone

Abstract

A helicoil interference fixation system comprising: a helicoil comprising a helical body comprising a plurality of turns separated by spaces therebetween, the helical body terminating in a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one internal strut extending between at least two turns of the helical body; and an inserter for turning the helicoil, the inserter comprising at least one groove for receiving the at least one strut; the helicoil being mounted on the inserter such tin at the at least one strut of the helicoil is mounted in the: at least one groove of the inserter, such that rotation of the inserter causes rotation of the helicoil.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . An open helicoil comprising:
 a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of turns of screw threads extending between the proximal and distal ends, the plurality of turns of screw threads defining an internal volume communicating with a region exterior to the open helicoil through a spacing between the plurality of turns of screw threads; and   at least one strut extending through the internal volume between at least two turns of the plurality of turns of screw threads;   wherein the open helicoil comprises a bioabsorbable material.   
     
     
         34 . The open helicoil of  claim 33 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is a bioabsorbable polymer. 
     
     
         35 . The open helicoil of  claim 34 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is polylactic acid (PLA). 
     
     
         36 . The open helicoil of  claim 34 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is polyglycolic acid (PGA). 
     
     
         37 . The open helicoil of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one strut extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the open helicoil. 
     
     
         38 . The open helicoil of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one strut is linear. 
     
     
         39 . The open helicoil of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one strut is formed integrally with the plurality of turns of screw threads. 
     
     
         40 . The open helicoil of  claim 33 , wherein the distal end of the open helicoil is blunt. 
     
     
         41 . An open helicoil comprising:
 a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of turns of screw threads extending between the proximal and distal ends, the plurality of turns of screw threads defining an internal volume communicating with a region exterior to the open helicoil through a spacing between the plurality of turns of screw threads; and   a plurality of struts extending through the internal volume between at least two turns of the plurality of turns of screw threads;   wherein the open helicoil comprises a bioabsorbable material.   
     
     
         42 . The open helicoil of  claim 41 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is a bioabsorbable polymer. 
     
     
         43 . The open helicoil of  claim 42 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is polylactic acid (PLA). 
     
     
         44 . The open helicoil of  claim 42 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is polyglycolic acid (PGA). 
     
     
         45 . The open helicoil of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the plurality of struts extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the open helicoil. 
     
     
         46 . The open helicoil of  claim 41 , wherein each of the plurality of struts are linear. 
     
     
         47 . The open helicoil of  claim 41 , wherein each of the plurality of struts are formed integrally with the plurality of turns of screw threads. 
     
     
         48 . The open helicoil of  claim 41 , wherein the distal end of open helicoil is blunt. 
     
     
         49 . A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone, the method comprising:
 mounting an open helicoil on an inserter such that at least one strut of the open helicoil is captured by at least one groove of the inserter whereby rotation of the inserter causes rotation of the open helicoil, the open helicoil further comprising:
 a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of turns of screw threads extending between the proximal and distal ends, the plurality of turns of screw threads defining an internal volume communicating with a region exterior to the open helicoil through a spacing between the plurality of turns of screw threads, the at least one strut extending through the internal volume between at least two turns of the plurality of turns of screw threads, the open helicoil comprising a bioabsorbable material; forming a bone tunnel in bone; 
   inserting a graft ligament into the bone tunnel; and   using the inserter to turn the open helicoil into the bone tunnel so as to secure the graft ligament to the bone using an interference fit.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the bioabsorbable material is a bioabsorbable polymer, 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is polylactic acid (PLA). 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is polyglycolic acid (PGA).