Permanently attached artificial limb
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs
InventorsC. William Hall, William A. Mallow, Fred O. Hoese
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A permanently attached artificial limb comprises an endoprosthesis in combination with an artificial tendon attachment. The artificial tendon attachment permits the use of existing skeletal muscles to power external articulating mechanical joints of the endoprosthesis device. The artificial tendon penetrates the skin and provides a strong interface with existing skeletal muscles.
Claims18
An artificial tendon for forming a strong musculotendinous interface with a skeletal muscle, comprising:
- a cord of high break strength forming the body of the artificial tendon;
- tissue ingrowth means to promote musculotendinous attachment, having an interfacing surface with a relatively large surface area bonded to one end of said cord, said tissue ingrowth means being wrappable about the end of a skeletal muscle or tendon to form a large interface;
- and
- a tissue ingrowth impervious backing bonded to the back non-interfacing surface of said tissue ingrowth means;
- whereby a strong interface is provided for tissue ingrowth from the skeletal muscle to the large surface area of said tissue ingrowth means while said impervious backing prevents tissue ingrowth on the non-interfacing surface and prevents the artificial tendon from being thereby immobilized, so that the artificial tendon remains securely attached to the skeletal muscle while being slidable in the body with the contraction or extension of the skeletal muscle.
An artificial limb adapted to become permanently attached, comprising:
- an endoprosthesis with an external articulating joint;
- and
- an artificial tendon adapted to connect said external articulating joint to a skeletal muscle with said tendon passing through the skin, said artificial tendon comprising skin interfacing means to provide a tissue ingrowth surface of large surface area at the skin interface, and tissue interfacing means for musculotendenous attachment including a large surface area wrappable about the end of a skeletal muscle or tendon to form a large interface.
An artificial limb adapted to become permanently attached, comprising:
- a supracortical endoprosthesis with an external articulating joint;
- and
- an artificial tendon adapted to connect said external articulating joint to a skeletal muscle with said tendon passing through the skin, said artificial tendon comprising skin interfacing means to provide a tissue ingrowth surface of large surface area at the skin interface.
An artificial limb adapted to become permanently attached, comprising:
- a supraperiosteal endoprosthesis with an external articulating joint;
- and
- an artificial tendon adapted to connect said external articulating joint to a skeletal muscle with said tendon passing through the skin, said artificial tendon comprising skin interfacing means to provide a tissue ingrowth surface of large surface area at the skin interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.