Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A graft fixation device, comprising: A. an annular collar disposed about and extending along a central axis, said collar having a first end, a second end, an interior lateral surface, and an exterior lateral surface, said interior lateral surface being threaded about and along said central axis, said collar further having at said first end collar driver means for receiving an external driver rotatable about said central axis, B. a first annular drive element disposed concentrically within said collar and having a first end closest to said first end of said collar and a second end opposite thereto, and further having: i. an outer lateral surface in threaded engagement with said threaded interior surface of said collar, ii. an inner lateral surface disposed about said central axis, iii. first driver means at said first end of said drive element for receiving an external driver rotatable about said central axis, C. a second annular drive element disposed concentrically within said collar and having a first end closest to said second end of said collar and a second end opposite thereto, and further having: i. an outer lateral surface in threaded engagement with said threaded interior surface of said collar, ii. an inner lateral surface disposed about said central axis, and D. tissue securing means disposed concentrically within said collar between said first and second drive elements for releasably securing at least a portion of said graft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A graft fixation device, comprising: A. an annular collar disposed about and extending along a central axis, said collar having a first end, a second end, an interior lateral surface, and an exterior lateral surface, said interior lateral surface being threaded about and along said central axis, said collar further having at said first end collar driver means for receiving an external driver rotatable about said central axis, B. a first annular drive element disposed concentrically within said collar and having a first end closest to said first end of said collar and a second end opposite thereto, and further having: i. an outer lateral surface in threaded engagement with said threaded interior surface of said collar, ii. an inner lateral surface disposed about said central axis, iii. first driver means at said first end of said drive element for receiving an external driver rotatable about said central axis, C. a second annular drive element disposed concentrically within said collar and having a first end closest to said second end of said collar and a second end opposite thereto, and further having: i. an outer lateral surface in threaded engagement with said threaded interior surface of said collar, ii. an inner lateral surface disposed about said central axis, and D. tissue securing means disposed concentrically within said collar between said first and second drive elements for releasably securing at least a portion of said graft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
180 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 1, wherein said first annular drive element has a conical inner lateral surface having a first radius proximate said first end of said drive element and a second, larger radius proximate near said second end of said drive element, and wherein said second annular drive element has a conical inner lateral surface having a first radius proximate said first end of said drive element and a second larger radius said second end of said drive element, and wherein said tissue securing means comprises a radially compressible split collet extending circumferentially between two circumferential ends separated by a gap, and having i. a first axial end closest to said first drive element, ii. a second axial end closest to said second drive element, iii. an interior surface, said interior surface being adapted for frictional engagement with an object interior thereto, and iv. an outer lateral surface having a first tapered conical portion proximate said first axial end of said collet and a second tapered conical portion proximate said second axial end of said collet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 2, wherein said interior surface of said collet includes a plurality of circumferentially extending ridges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 3, wherein said ridges have a sawtooth profile extending in the direction of said central axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 4, wherein the surfaces of said ridges are transverse to said central axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 5, wherein said ridges have horizontal surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 3, wherein said ridges have a helical profile about said central axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 1, wherein said exterior lateral surface of said collar is threaded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A graft fixation device according to claim 1, wherein said tissue securing means comprises a disk having a plurality of apertures for receiving at least a portion of a graft segment therethrough.