WOVEN AND/OR BRAIDED FIBER IMPLANTS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME

• US 20080188933A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shriners Hospitals For Children (Shriner's International Headquarters Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Shriners Hospitals For Children (Shriner's International Headquarters Incorporated)
• Inventors: Koob, Thomas J., Pringle, Douglas, Davis, Tian
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/13.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/24 Collagen
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/78 Connective tissue peptides, e.g. collagen, elastin, laminin, fibronectin, vitronectin or cold insoluble globulin [CIG]
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 13/152 having a hydroxy group bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 2101/14 Collagen fibres

Abstract

The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis having an implantable braided or woven construct with a plurality of fibers interlocked or interlaced together.

Claims

1. An implantable bioprosthesis, comprising:

an implantable construct having a plurality of synthetic fibers braided and/or woven together.

2. A bioprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are NDGA polymerized collagen fibers.

3. A bioprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fibers are collagen-derived fibers, and wherein the plurality of fibers are a plurality of bundles of fibers that are braided and/or woven together, each of the bundles of fibers comprising at least two fibers.

4. A bioprosthesis according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of bundles of fibers is at least three.

5. A bioprosthesis according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of bundles of fibers is between about six to about twenty-seven.

6. A bioprosthesis according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of bundles is nine.

7. A bioprosthesis according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of fibers in at least some of the bundles is between about 6 to about 11 fibers.

8. A bioprosthesis according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of fibers in each bundle is about nine.

9. A bioprosthesis according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of fibers in each bundle are substantially parallel with each other.

10. A bioprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the construct is between about 1-3 cm long.

11. A bioprosthesis according to claim 9, wherein the construct is between about 0.1 cm to about 3 cm wide.

12. A bioprostheis according to claim 1, wherein the construct has a substantially flat ribbon configuration sized and configured to define a ligament bioprosthesis.

13. A bioprostheis according to claim 12, wherein the ligament bioprothesis is an ACL bioprosthesis.

14. A bioprostheis according to claim 1, wherein the construct has a substantially tubular rope configuration sized and configured to define a tendon bioprosthesis.

15. A bioprosthesis according to claim 14, wherein the tendon bioprosthesis is a flexor tendon bioprosthesis.

16. A bioprosthesis according to claim 12, wherein the construct has a tensile strength, stiffness and dynamic flexibility that meets or exceeds that of a pre-injury natural ligament undergoing treatment.

17. A bioprosthesis according to claim 14, wherein the braided construct has a tensile strength, stiffness and dynamic flexibility that meets or exceeds that of a pre-injury natural tendon undergoing treatment.

18. A bioprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the braided construct includes a gel material.

19. A bioprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein at least one end portion of the construct includes at least two split segments of fibers that are configured as bone or tissue attachment segments.

20. A method of making a bioprosthesis, comprising:

providing a plurality of discrete bundles of fibers; and

braiding and/or weaving the bundles into an interlocking braid pattern to form a bioprosthesis construct.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the fibers comprise NDGA polymerized collagen fibers.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of discrete bundles of fibers are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other in a respective bundle.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the interlocking braid or weave pattern forms a substantially flat bioprosthesis construct.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the interlocking braid or weave pattern forms a substantially tubular bioprosthesis construct.

25. A method according to claim 20, further comprising forming at least two split segments of a group of fibers in at least one end portion of the braided bioprosthesis construct.

26. A medical kit for a tendon or ligament repair, augmentation or replacement, comprising:

a braided or woven NDGA collagen fiber construct; and

a sterile package sealably enclosing the braided fiber construct therein.

27. A medical kit according to claim 26, wherein the construct has a substantially flat configuration.

28. A medical kit according to claim 27, wherein the construct is a bioprosthesis ligament for a ligament repair, augmentation or replacement.

29. A medical kit according to claim 26, wherein the construct has a substantially tubular braided rope configuration and is a bioprosthesis for a tendon repair, augmentation or replacement.