Artificial ligament
AssigneeQueen's University at Kingston
InventorHenk W. Wevers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims12
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.