Device, system, and method for delivery of a tissue fixation device

Abstract

Systems and methods for fixating a graft in a bone tunnel are provided. In general, the system includes a tissue fixation device having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, at least one graft retention loop coupled to the tissue fixation device, and a drill pin having a sidewall surrounding a cavity at a proximal end of the pin and at least one longitudinally oriented opening in the sidewall in communication with the cavity, the cavity being configured to fully seat the tissue fixation device. The drill pin is configured to substantially contain therein the tissue fixation device when in the delivery configuration and to enable deployment of the tissue fixation device through the opening. Drill pins configured to contain a tissue fixation device are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a drill pin having a proximal end and a distal end that includes a tissue-penetrating tip,   a cavity formed within the drill pin at the proximal end thereof, the cavity being defined in part by a sidewall of the drill pin, the sidewall being interrupted by a longitudinally oriented opening in communication with the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drill pin is configured to substantially contain in the cavity an expandable tissue fixation device when in an unexpanded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the drill pin is configured to enable deployment of the tissue fixation device through the longitudinally oriented opening in the sidewall. 
     
     
         4 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is interrupted by a second longitudinally oriented opening in communication with the cavity, the second longitudinally oriented opening opposite the longitudinally oriented opening. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is in communication with an end opening formed in the proximal end of the drill pin. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the longitudinally oriented opening is in communication with the end opening. 
     
     
         15 . The device of claim  4 , wherein the cavity is configured such that the first and second elongate, substantially rigid support members are disposed in a non-intersecting orientation relative to one another when the tissue fixation device is contained in the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the end opening is sized to prevent an implantable tissue fixation device disposed in the cavity from passing therethrough, and wherein the longitudinally oriented opening is sized to permit the implantable tissue fixation device disposed in the cavity to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an implantable tissue fixation device disposed in the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue fixation device has a first and a second elongate, substantially rigid support member that are discrete elements separated from each other, and at least one flexible member connecting the first and second rigid support members. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue fixation device is configured to change between a collapsed, delivery configuration and an expanded, deployed configuration, wherein the tissue fixation device is in the delivery configuration when disposed in the cavity, and wherein the tissue fixation device has at least one dimension that is smaller in the delivery configuration than in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one graft retention loop coupled to the tissue fixation device. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one flexible member comprises a plurality of elongate connecting filaments extending between the first and second rigid support members. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of elongate connecting elements comprise suture or wire. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second rigid support members each include a plurality of retaining elements used to couple the plurality of elongate connecting filaments to the first and second rigid support members. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one graft retention loop is coupled to the at least one flexible member and disposed around the first and second rigid support members.