Prosthetic ligaments
AssigneeReGen Biologics, Inc.
InventorsShu-Tung Li, Kevin R. Stone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a prosthetic ligament comprising a Plurality of substantially aligned, elongated filaments. Each filament is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibrils, at least some of which are crosslinked. The fibrils are short segments of longer fibers of polymeric connective tissue components, or analogs thereof. Each filament establishes a bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of ligament fibroblasts, the scaffold and the ingrown fibroblasts supporting natural ligament tensile forces. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the prosthetic ligament, and methods of regenerating ligamentous tissue in vivo.
Claims21
A prosthetic ligament comprising a plurality of substantially aligned, elongated filaments,
- each of said filaments being a dry, porous, volume matrix reconstituted from biocompatible and bioresorbable fibrils, said fibrils being short segments of fibers of a polymeric connective tissue-type component, or analog thereof, at least some of said fibrils being crosslinked,
- at least one of said filaments being a high density filament having a density of about 1.0 to about 1.3 g/cm.sup.3
- wherein each of said filaments establishes a bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of ligament fibroblasts, and wherein said scaffold and said ingrown fibroblasts support natural ligament tensile forces.
A method of regenerating ligamentous tissue in vivo comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a prosthetic ligament comprising a plurality of substantially aligned, elongated filaments in a mutually adjacent relationship,
- each of said filaments being a dry, porous, volume matrix reconstituted from biocompatible and bioresorbable fibrils, said fibrils being short segments of fibers of a polymeric connective tissue-type component, or analogs thereof, at least some of said fibrils being crosslinked,
- at least one of said filaments being a high density filament having a density of about 1.0 to about 1.3 g/cm.sup.3
- wherein each of said filaments establishes a bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of ligament fibroblasts;
- and
- b) implanting said prosthetic ligament into a joint by surgical procedures,
- said implanted prosthetic ligament and said ingrown fibroblasts supporting normal ligament tensile forces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.