Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A drive-in posting device for use in tightly holding sutures in place such as for orthopaedic procedure involving bone grafting. The posting device comprises a nail-like tine made of a biologically acceptable material such as stainless steel, vitalium, titanium and the like, as well as hard bioabsorbable materials. Alternatively the posting device comprises a screw shank and is inserted by being screwed into the bone. The posting device is provided with a head having an integral washer and three or four lateral extension elements or an extension clover leaf on which suture wire can be wrapped and tightened. The tine is optionally provided with an eye through which the suture is threaded. The head of the posting device is configured for use with a rotational driver and the extension elements are provided with short tines which face and are engageable with a bone. In operation, the body tine is partially driven into a bone and a suture is threaded through the eye or otherwise wrapped therearound. The posting device is then rotated by means of a driver inserted into an engagement member of the head of the device. The suture is thereby tightened as required in a manner similar to the tightening of violin strings. When a requisite tension is obtained, the posting device is driven into the bone, with the short tines being driven into the bone to prevent rotational loss of tension. To prevent accidental removal, the tines may be provided with one way barbs.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim