| abstract |
A novel surgical fastener is disclosed for attaching soft tissues (e.g. ligaments, tendons and the like) to bone and bone-like structures. The surgical fastener comprises a shank and an enlarged head disposed on one end of the shank. A central bore passes completely through the fastener along its longitudinal axis, and a plurality of diametrically projecting ribs are disposed along the length of the shank. The foregoing fastener is used to attach soft tissues (e.g. ligaments, tendons and the like) to bone and bone-like structures in the following manner. First, the soft tissue is placed against the bone and then a thin guide wire is passed through the soft tissue and into the bone. A cannulated drill is then loaded coaxially onto the guide wire and is moved down the guide wire and worked on the guide wire so as to form a hole through the soft tissue and into the bone. Next, the cannulated drill is withdrawn from the guide wire and the aforementioned surgical fastener is loaded coaxially onto the guide wire. Then a hollow driver is loaded coaxially onto the guide wire and is used to successively strike the head of the fastener so as to drive the shank of the fastener through the soft tissue and into the bone, with the head of the fastener engaging the soft tissue and captivating it against the bone. Thereafter, the hollow driver is withdrawn from the guide wire, and then the guide wire is removed from the soft tissue and the bone, leaving the soft tissue securely attached to the bone by the surgical fastener. |