US5354300A — Drill guide apparatus for installing a transverse…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 227 words

A drill guide for aligning and installing a transverse pin through a tunnel formed by a tunnel drill moveable into and along a bone to drill the tunnel to secure and house a ligament replacement therein to the bone, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertible into the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone to house the ligament replacement: an arm member; a drill guide sleeve coupled to a part of the arm member, the drill guide sleeve being formed to include a central bore for guiding a drill to form a guide hole in the bone transverse to the straight tunnel to guide insertion of the transverse pin when placed in the guide hole into the bone, the central bore of the drill guide sleeve having an axis which is aligned to intersect the straight tunnel transverse to its longitudinal axis while the tunnel drill is inserted in the bone; and means for coupling the arm member to the tunnel drill for rotational and axial shifting along the tunnel drill to position the drill guide sleeve while the tunnel drill is still in the bone to align the part of the arm member and the drill guide sleeve at a desired anatomical location along the length of the tunnel using the tunnel drill in the bone as a reference.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 227 words

A drill guide for aligning and installing a transverse pin through a tunnel formed by a tunnel drill moveable into and along a bone to drill the tunnel to secure and house a ligament replacement therein to the bone, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertible into the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone to house the ligament replacement: an arm member; a drill guide sleeve coupled to a part of the arm member, the drill guide sleeve being formed to include a central bore for guiding a drill to form a guide hole in the bone transverse to the straight tunnel to guide insertion of the transverse pin when placed in the guide hole into the bone, the central bore of the drill guide sleeve having an axis which is aligned to intersect the straight tunnel transverse to its longitudinal axis while the tunnel drill is inserted in the bone; and means for coupling the arm member to the tunnel drill for rotational and axial shifting along the tunnel drill to position the drill guide sleeve while the tunnel drill is still in the bone to align the part of the arm member and the drill guide sleeve at a desired anatomical location along the length of the tunnel using the tunnel drill in the bone as a reference.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

The drill guide of claim 1, wherein the drill guide sleeve is coupled to the part of the arm member by a ratchet mechanism for selectively positioning an end of the drill guide sleeve at a distance spaced from said part of said arm member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 75 words

The drill guide of claim 2, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a spring loaded cog configured to engage the drill guide sleeve, the spring loaded cog permitting movement of the end of the drill guide sleeve away from the part of the arm member in a direction toward the bone and preventing movement of the end of the drill guide sleeve toward the part of the arm member in a direction away from the bone.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 44 words

The drill guide of claim 3, wherein the drill guide sleeve is formed to include a plurality of teeth for engaging the spring loaded cog to lock the end of the drill guide sleeve in a selected spaced position relative to the arm member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The drill guide of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating the position of the drill guide sleeve along the part of the arm member relative to a drilling end of the tunnel drill which corresponds to an end of the tunnel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 108 words

The drill guide of claim 1, further comprising a second drill guide sleeve slidably coupled to the part of the arm member of the drill guide, the second drill guide sleeve being formed to include a central bore for guiding a drill to form a second guide hole in the bone transverse to the straight tunnel to guide insertion of a second transverse pin when placed in the second guide hole into the bone, the central bore of the second drill guide sleeve having an axis which is aligned to intersect the straight tunnel drill transversely to its longitudinal axis while the tunnel is inserted in the bone.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 46 words

The drill guide of claim 6, wherein the part of the arm member of the drill guide is twisted at a predetermined angle to align the second guide sleeve relative to the tunnel drill so that the axis of the second guide sleeve intersects the tunnel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 31 words

The drill guide of claim 6, wherein the part of the arm member of the drill guide includes means for indicating the distance between the first and second drill guide sleeves.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 44 words

The drill guide of claim 6, wherein the second drill guide sleeve is coupled to the arm member by a ratchet mechanism for selectively positioning an end of the second drill guide sleeve at a distance spaced from said part of said arm member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 83 words

The drill guide of claim 1, wherein the arm member has a generally L-shaped body including a first arm extending in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill and a second arm including the said part of said arm member having a proximal end coupled to the first arm so that the second arm extends generally parallel to the tunnel drill and a distal end, the drill guide sleeve being coupled to the distal end of the second arm.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 82 words

The drill guide of claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes means for mounting the arm member on the tunnel drill for movement longitudinally along the drill and the axis of the tunnel to position the drill guide sleeve relative to an uppermost end of the tunnel drill and the tunnel formed thereby, said arm member also being rotatable about the tunnel drill and the tunnel axis to position said drill guide sleeve to a selected anatomical position relative to the bone.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 197 words

A drill guide for locating and installing a transverse pin for holding a ligament replacement in a tunnel drilled through a bone by a tunnel drill, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertable into the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone to house the ligament replacement; a journal portion; an arm member extending at an angle from said journal portion and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill; a drill guide sleeve coupled to the arm member, the drill guide sleeve providing a guide opening having an axis intersecting a longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill and the tunnel while the tunnel drill is inserted in the bone; means for coupling the journal portion to the tunnel drill for movement longitudinally along the tunnel drill while the tunnel drill is still in the tunnel to position said transverse guide opening of the drill guide sleeve relative to an uppermost end of the tunnel drill and the tunnel formed thereby, said journal portion also being rotatable about the tunnel drill and tunnel axis to position said transverse guide opening to a selected anatomical position relative to the bone.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 197 words

A drill guide for locating and installing a transverse pin for holding a ligament replacement in a tunnel drilled through a bone by a tunnel drill, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertable into the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone to house the ligament replacement; a journal portion; an arm member extending at an angle from said journal portion and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill; a drill guide sleeve coupled to the arm member, the drill guide sleeve providing a guide opening having an axis intersecting a longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill and the tunnel while the tunnel drill is inserted in the bone; means for coupling the journal portion to the tunnel drill for movement longitudinally along the tunnel drill while the tunnel drill is still in the tunnel to position said transverse guide opening of the drill guide sleeve relative to an uppermost end of the tunnel drill and the tunnel formed thereby, said journal portion also being rotatable about the tunnel drill and tunnel axis to position said transverse guide opening to a selected anatomical position relative to the bone.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

The drill guide of claim 12, wherein the drill guide sleeve is coupled to the arm member by a ratchet mechanism for selectively positioning an end of the drill guide sleeve at a distance spaced from said arm member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 69 words

The drill guide of claim 13, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a spring loaded cog configured to engage the drill guide sleeve, the spring loaded cog permitting movement of the end of the drill guide sleeve away from the arm member in a direction toward the bone and preventing movement of the end of the drill guide sleeve toward the arm member in a direction away from the bone.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 44 words

The drill guide of claim 14, wherein the drill guide sleeve is formed to include a plurality of teeth for engaging the spring loaded cog to lock the end of the drill guide sleeve in a selected spaced position relative to the arm member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

The drill guide of claim 12, further comprising means for indicating the position of the drill guide sleeve along and relative to a drilling end of the tunnel drill which corresponds to an end of the tunnel.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 99 words

The drill guide of claim 12, further comprising a second drill guide sleeve slidably coupled to the arm member of the drill guide, the second drill guide sleeve being formed to include a central bore for guiding a drill to form a second guide hole in the bone transverse to the axis of the tunnel to guide insertion of a second transverse pin into the bone, the central bore of the second drill guide sleeve having an axis which is aligned to intersect the tunnel transversely to the tunnel axis while the tunnel drill is inserted in the bone.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 43 words

The drill guide of claim 17, wherein the arm member of the drill guide is twisted at a predetermined angle to align the second guide sleeve relative to the tunnel drill so that the axis of the second guide sleeve intersects the tunnel.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The drill guide of claim 17, wherein the arm member of the drill guide includes means for indicating the distance between the first and second drill guide sleeves.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

The drill guide of claim 17, wherein the second drill guide sleeve is coupled to the arm member by a ratchet mechanism for selectively positioning an end the second drill guide sleeve at a distance spaced from said arm member.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 169 words

A drill guide for locating and installing a transverse pin for holding a replacement ligament in a tunnel drilled through a bone by a tunnel drill, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertable into the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone to house the ligament replacement; an arm member extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill; means for guiding a drill to form a guide hole in the bone including a drill guide sleeve aligned to intersect the tunnel axis and the replacement ligament therein transversely and to receive said transverse pin, the guiding means being coupled to the arm member; and means for coupling the arm member to the tunnel drill for rotational and axial shifting along the tunnel drill to position the drill guide sleeve while in the tunnel drill is still in the bone to align the drill guide sleeve at a selected anatomical location using the tunnel drill in the bone as a reference.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 169 words

A drill guide for locating and installing a transverse pin for holding a replacement ligament in a tunnel drilled through a bone by a tunnel drill, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertable into the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone to house the ligament replacement; an arm member extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel drill; means for guiding a drill to form a guide hole in the bone including a drill guide sleeve aligned to intersect the tunnel axis and the replacement ligament therein transversely and to receive said transverse pin, the guiding means being coupled to the arm member; and means for coupling the arm member to the tunnel drill for rotational and axial shifting along the tunnel drill to position the drill guide sleeve while in the tunnel drill is still in the bone to align the drill guide sleeve at a selected anatomical location using the tunnel drill in the bone as a reference.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 34 words

The drill guide of claim 21, further comprising means for indicating the position of the guiding means relative to a drill end of the tunnel drill which corresponds to an end of the tunnel.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 70 words

The drill guide of claim 21, wherein the arm member has a generally L-shaped body including a first arm extending in a direction normal to the tunnel drill and a second arm having a proximal end coupled to the first arm so that the second arm extends generally parallel to the tunnel drill and a distal end, the guiding means being coupled to the distal end of the second arm.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 80 words

The drill guide of claim 21, wherein the coupling means includes means for mounting the arm member on the tunnel drill for movement longitudinally along an axis of the tunnel drill and tunnel to position the guiding means relative to the drill end of the tunnel drill and the tunnel end formed thereby, said arm member also being rotatable about the tunnel drill and tunnel axis to position said guiding means to the selected anatomical position relative to the bone.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 147 words

A drill guide for aligning a drill to form a hole in a bone, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertible in the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone; an arm member; a drill guide sleeve formed to include a central bore for guiding a drill to form a hole in the bone that intersects an axis of the tunnel drill and the tunnel transversely; a ratchet mechanism for coupling the drill guide sleeve to the arm member to permit selective axial positioning of an end of the drill guide sleeve at a distance spaced from said arm member; and means for coupling the arm member to said tunnel drill for rotational and axially shifting along the tunnel drill for aligning the drill guide sleeve with respect to the tunnel drill at a selected anatomical location relative to the bone.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 147 words

A drill guide for aligning a drill to form a hole in a bone, the drill guide comprising: a tunnel drill insertible in the bone for drilling a straight tunnel along an axis into the bone; an arm member; a drill guide sleeve formed to include a central bore for guiding a drill to form a hole in the bone that intersects an axis of the tunnel drill and the tunnel transversely; a ratchet mechanism for coupling the drill guide sleeve to the arm member to permit selective axial positioning of an end of the drill guide sleeve at a distance spaced from said arm member; and means for coupling the arm member to said tunnel drill for rotational and axially shifting along the tunnel drill for aligning the drill guide sleeve with respect to the tunnel drill at a selected anatomical location relative to the bone.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 68 words

The drill guide of claim 25, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a spring loaded cog configured to engage the drill guide sleeve, the spring loaded cog permitting movement of the end of drill guide sleeve away from the arm member in a direction toward the bone and preventing movement of the end of the drill guide sleeve toward the arm member in a direction away from the bone.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 42 words

The drill guide of claim 26, wherein the drill guide sleeve is formed to include a plurality of teeth for engaging the spring loaded cog to lock the end of drill guide sleeve in a selected position relative to the arm member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-10-10	1998-04-11	1998-10-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-10-10	2002-04-11	2002-10-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-10-10	2006-04-11	2006-10-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Drill guide apparatus for installing a transverse pin

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