A
soft tissue fixation
system, most typically applicable to orthopedic joint repairs, such as
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee repair procedures, comprises an
implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone. A first member is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring the
implant in place in the tunnel, and a second member is deployable outwardly to engage
tissue material to be fixed within the tunnel. The second member also functions to move the
tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls to promote
tendon-
bone fixation. Extra graft length is eliminated by compression of the
tendon against the bone at the aperture of the
femoral tunnel, which more closely replicates the native ACL and increases graft stiffness. The inventive device provides high fixation of
tendon to bone and active tendon-bone compression. Graft strength has been found to be greater than 1,000 N (Newtons), which is desirable for ACL reconstruction systems.