Prosthetic anterior cruciate ligament design
US5004474A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0028
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An artificial ligament device is provided for joining the ends of two bones wherein at least one of the bones has a tunnel extending therethrough. The device comprises a multilayered or tubular woven ligament having an intra-articular region, at least one bend region, and at least one end region, each region being woven so as to possess qualities of flexibility and strength suitable to the particular types of stresses it receives during use. The end region and a portion of the bend region are encased within a polymer bone block, usually by thermomolding, and the bone block is inserted into the bone tunnel to attach the ligament. The bone block is molded to provide a fixed bend radius for the ligament at the point of exit therefrom so as to control the amount of bending stress on the ligament during flexure and extension of the joint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.