Tensioning means for prosthetic devices

Claim 1

A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector are attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises: an anchor adapted to be attached to living bone and having walls defining a socket; a pin comprising a shaft, a head adapted to engage the socket, and a threaded end opposite the head; and a cylinder comprising a body, which body (i) has a threaded bore therein, the threaded bore being adapted to engage the threaded end of the pin, and (ii) comprises means for engaging the prosthetic ligament, the device being further characterized in that there exists access to the head of the pin to facilitate adjustment of the adjustable connector, wherein the socket and the head are rounded, permitting swivel movement of the pin.

Claim 2

A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector are attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises: an anchor adapted to be attached to living bone and having walls defining a socket; a pin comprising a shaft, a head adapted to engage the socket, and a threaded end opposite the head; and a cylinder comprising a body, which body (i) has a threaded bore therein, the threaded bore being adapted to engage the threaded end of the pin, and (ii) comprises means for engaging the prosthetic ligament, the device being further characterized in that there exists access to the head of the pin to facilitate adjustment of the adjustable connector, wherein the socket and the head are rounded, permitting swivel movement of the pin.

Claim 5

A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector ar attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises: a spool having a ratchet plate attached and having means for engaging the prosthetic ligament; an attachment plate adapted to be attached to living bone and having a mating surface adapted to engage the ratchet plate; and means for fastening the spool to the attachment plate which means can be either partially or fully engaged; whereby when the means for fastening is partially engaged, the spool can be rotated to adjust the tension on the prosthetic ligament, and when the means for fastening is fully engaged the spool cannot rotate.

Claim 6

A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector ar attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises: a spool having a ratchet plate attached and having means for engaging the prosthetic ligament; an attachment plate adapted to be attached to living bone and having a mating surface adapted to engage the ratchet plate; and means for fastening the spool to the attachment plate which means can be either partially or fully engaged; whereby when the means for fastening is partially engaged, the spool can be rotated to adjust the tension on the prosthetic ligament, and when the means for fastening is fully engaged the spool cannot rotate.

Claim 9

A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector are attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises: a cleat plate adapted to be attached to living bone and having a plurality of cleats thereon, the cleats being adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein there exist a plurality of routes around the cleats for the prosthetic ligament, leading to a point of engagement between the cleat plate and the prosthetic ligament, each route having a different path length and hence causing a different tension on the prosthetic ligament.

Claim 10

A method for surgical replacement of a ligament comprising bridging the bones connected by the ligament with a prosthetic ligament attached to bone at one end by a fixed connector and at the opposing end by an adjustable connector, both connectors being adapted to be attached to living bone and adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein, when the fixed connector and the adjustable connector are attached in position to bone and the prosthetic ligament is positioned therebetween and engaged with both, the tension on the prosthetic ligament can be increased or decreased without disturbing the attachment of either connector to bone and without removal of the prosthetic ligament from either of the connectors, wherein the adjustable connector comprises: a cleat plate adapted to be attached to living bone and having a plurality of cleats thereon, the cleats being adapted to engage the prosthetic ligament, wherein there exist a plurality of routes around the cleats for the prosthetic ligament, leading to a point of engagement between the cleat plate and the prosthetic ligament, each route having a different path length and hence causing a different tension on the prosthetic ligament.