Method of fastening a tissue or a corresponding prosthetic element in an opening provided in a human or animal bone and fastener suitable for the method

Abstract

A graft or prosthetic element suitable, e.g., for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A set for fastening tissue or a prosthetic element in an opening provided in a human or animal bone, the set comprises a fastener, the fastener comprising a proximal face, a distal end, a fastener axis extending between the proximal face and the distal end and a circumferential surface extending around the fastener axis, and the fastener further comprising at least one first portion of the circumferential surface and at least one second portion different from the first portion of the circumferential surface,
 the set further comprising at least one anchoring element,   wherein the anchoring element comprises a liquefiable material strengthened by admixed fibers or whiskers, the anchoring element is adapted to axially extending grooves in the circumferential surface, to channels extending at an angle to the fastener axis from the proximal fastener face to the circumferential surface, or to an inner cavity of the fastener or is integrated in a central or peripheral fastener region, and   wherein the at least one first portion is equipped for anchoring by comprising means for guiding the liquefiable material to the first portion or along the first portion, or by comprising the liquefiable material.   
     
     
         2 . The set according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibers or whiskers are made of or comprise degradable materials. 
     
     
         3 . The set according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibers or whiskers comprises calcium phosphate ceramics or glasses or are made of calcium phosphate ceramics or glasses. 
     
     
         4 . The set according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a composite material or is made from a composite material. 
     
     
         5 . The set according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is made of a calcium phosphate. 
     
     
         6 . The set according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is fully made of the liquefiable material strengthened by admixed fibers or whiskers whose concentration decrease in a direction from the circumferential fastener surface towards the central fastener region constituting the anchoring element. 
     
     
         7 . The set according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is suitable for fixation of a stitched graft end or a stitched tissue end in a bone opening being a blind bore, wherein the stitched graft end comprises a first suture end and a second suture end wherein and wherein the fixation of the stitched graft end or the stitched tissue end to the fastener can be achieved by threading the first suture end through an inner cavity of the fastener, which for this purpose comprises an open distal end, and the second suture end along the circumferential surface of the fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The set according to  claim 7 , wherein the first suture end and the second suture end can be connected by a knot or other suitable suture retainer at the proximal fastener face. 
     
     
         9 . The set according to  claim 7 , wherein the circumferential fastener surface or the inner fastener cavity comprises an axially extending groove for accommodation of the first suture end or respectively the second suture end. 
     
     
         10 . The set according to  claim 9 , wherein the circumferential fastener surface comprises an axially extending groove for accommodation of the first suture end and the inner fastener cavity comprises an axially extending groove for accommodation of the second suture end. 
     
     
         11 . The set according to  claim 2 , wherein the fibers or whiskers comprises calcium phosphate ceramics or glasses or are made of calcium phosphate ceramics or glasses. 
     
     
         12 . The set according to  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a composite material or is made from a composite material.