Abrasion resistant prosthetic device
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsSteven J. May, David J. Andrews, Craig L. VanKampen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An abrasion resistant prosthetic ligament or tendon includes a strap-like element formed of a stable biocompatible material which is attached at opposite ends to a patient. Attached to the strap-like element are one or more protective layers having sacrificial areas which are positioned in areas where abrasion between the prosthetic ligament and the patient's bones is anticipated. The sacrificial areas can be substantially abraided before any significant loss of strenth occurs, because the sacrificial areas are non-load-bearing, and protect the strap-like element from abrasion.
Claims23
A prosthetic device comprising:
- a flexible, load-bearing strap-like element of a stable biocompatible material, the strap-like element including a main load-bearing layer with first and second surface and first and second ends for attachment to a patient;
- and
- a first abrasion-resistant sacrificial layer attached to the first surface of the main load-bearing layer at a first position where abrasion between the prosthetic device and a bone of the patient occurs, the first sacrificial layer being capable of substantial sacrificial abrasion which does not substantially alter load-bearing capabilities of the strap-like element.
A prosthetic device comprising:
- a multilayer, flexible, load-bearing, strap-like element having a first main load-bearing layer extending between first and second ends, the strap-like element being folded over at the first end to form a first loop and a second layer which overlies and is attached to a first surface of the first layer wherein the second layer includes an abrasion-resistant sacrificial abrasion portion which protects the first surface of the first layer from abrasive contact with portions of a patient's skeletal/muscular system;
- and
- means for attaching the first and second ends of strap-like element to spaced apart locations of the patient's skeletal/muscular system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.