Artificial ligament

• US 4,246,660 A
• Filed: 12/26/1978
• Issued: 01/27/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Queen's University At Kingston
• Original Assignee: Queen's University At Kingston
• Inventors: Wevers, Henk W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Application Number:
  US05/972,997
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1, 3/1.9, 3/1.911, 128/92 D, 128/92 C, 128/92 B
• US Class Current: 623/13.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0829 without deformation of anchor parts, e.g. fixation screws on bone surface, extending barbs, cams, butterflies, spring-loaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0852 Fixation of a loop or U-turn, e.g. eyelets, anchor having multiple holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/087 Anchor integrated into tendons, e.g. bone blocks, integrated rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32541 Rotatable members resiliently biased to one position

Abstract

A prosthetic ligament device comprising an elastic element securable to the underlying bone structure by means of a quick release bayonet-type fitting which permits rotational movement during engagement at one end and a length adjusting means at the other end thereof. The elastic element comprises a plurality of parallel, longitudinal, polyester cords which form the warp, interwoven with a plurality of transverse soft silicone or polyurethane tubes which form the weft. Upon extension the soft tubes compress so as to permit a relatively large elongation of the elastic element at low stress, but upon continued extension the elastic element becomes progressively stiffer, simulating a natural ligament.

Claims

1. A prosthetic ligament device for replacing a natural ligament flexibly connecting first and second natural skeletal members together, comprising:

(a) an elongated elastic element having elastic properties substantially similar to those of a natural ligament and comprising a plurality of interwoven parallel cord wrap elements and parallel transverse radially deformable tubular weft elements;

(b) lock means to releasably secure one end of said elastic element to said first skeletal member; and

(c) means to secure the other end of said elastic element to said second skeletal member, including means to adjust said element to a predetermined length and stress level.

2. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the warp element comprises a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal polyester cords.

3. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in 1 wherein said deformable tubular elements are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a medical grade soft polyurethane and silicone rubber.

4. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said warp and weft elements are coated with a biocompatible material so as to produce a unitary wear resistant structure.

5. A prosthetic ligament device for replacing a natural ligament flexibly connecting first and second natural skeletal members in a joint, comprising:

(a) a woven elastic element for joining the first and second skeletal members together, said elastic element having a plurality of parallel polyester cord warp elements interwoven with a plurality of parallel tube weft elements fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of silicone and polyurethane;

(b) first and second bone anchor means for attachment to said first and second skeletal member respectively; and

(c) connector means at each end of said polyester cords for releasable engagement with a respective one of said bone anchor means;

said first bone anchor means including means cooperating with its respective connector means to adjust said elastic element to a predetermined length and stress in said joint, and the said second anchor means including means to interlock with its respective connector means.

6. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first anchor means comprises a plate having a toothed surface for releasable and adjustable engagement with a complementary toothed surface on the respective connector means;

and including means to releasably secure said first anchor means and its respective connector means in a selected overlying relationship.

7. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second anchor means comprises a ring means to receive and releasably engage a complementary shank means on its respective connector means.

8. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ring means includes radially inwardly projecting lug means and the respective connector means includes button means for releasable engagement with said lug means.

9. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ring means includes a radially outwardly extending slot means for engagement with said shank means, and the respective connector means includes button means for insertion through said ring means.

10. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second anchor means includes an arm extending from said ring means along said second skeletal member and away from said joint.

11. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 5 wherein surfaces of said first and second bone anchor means adjacent said skeletal members are coated with a porous metal coating so as to promote bone ingrowth.

12. A prosthetic ligament device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first and second bone anchor means include bone pins for insertion in predrilled holes in said skeletal members.