EP0051954A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structure for in vivo implantation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-10-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A tension structure suitable for in vivo implantation e.g. as a substitute tendon or ligament having a plurality of longitudinal strands 16 of a biocompatible fabric 12 with the ends of the strands in the fabric and bonded with a film 14, and a sleeve of a biocompatible polymer 42 surrounding the strands, the strands being slidable with respect to each other and movable in the sleeve for adjusting their relative positions whereby the structure load is substantially uniformly distributed among the strands and a means on the ends of the structure for securing the structure in implanted position. The structure is preferably formed by removing the transverse (fill) strands 18 of a biocompatible fabric between the bonded ends of the fabric, to leave only an array of parallel warp strands between the bonded ends. In one embodiment the strands form a continuous loop the ends of which project from opposite ends of the protective sleeve 42 to form loops 48 at opposite ends for in situ attachment of the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Homsy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61L27/40; A61L27/44; A61L27/443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A tension member for in vivo implantation characterised in that it comprises a plurality of parallel strands 16 of a biocompatible polymer readily slidable with respect to each other and bonded together at their opposite ends by a bonding film 14 of biocompatible bonding resin in which the ends of the strands are embedded, and a protective sleeve 22 of biocompatible polymeric material surrounding said strands intermediate their bonded ends and bonded at at least one end to a said film of bonding resin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tension member for in vivo implantation characterised in that it comprises a plurality of parallel strands 16 of a biocompatible polymer readily slidable with respect to each other and bonded together at their opposite ends by a bonding film 14 of biocompatible bonding resin in which the ends of the strands are embedded, and a protective sleeve 22 of biocompatible polymeric material surrounding said strands intermediate their bonded ends and bonded at at least one end to a said film of bonding resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tension member according to claim 1, characterised in that the said plurality of parallel strands 16 are provided by the warp strands of a length of woven fabric of biocompatible fibres, the ends of which fabric are bonded by said films. 14 of bonding resin, and the fill strands of which have been removed from the length of fabric intermediate said bonded ends, thereby leave said warp strands in separate parallel array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tension member according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said parallel strands 16 are lubricated by coating with a surface coating of biocompatible polytetrafluoroethylene resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tension member according to claim 1, 2' or 3, characterised in that said parallel strands 36 are formed into an endless loop 40 and joined at their opposite ends by a common film 34 of biocompatible bonding resin in which the ends of said strands are embedded, said loop being inserted in said sleeve 42 with its opposite ends projecting therefrom to form anchoring loops for attachment of the tension member when making the implant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tension member according to claim 4, wherein one or both exposed ends of said loop is or are engaged with an anchoring member 50 of porous biocompatible polymeric material which promotes the ingrowth of tissue in the material when placed in situ.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tension member according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that the protective sleeve 22 is of a porous biocompatible polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tension member according to claim 6, characterised in that the external surface of the protective sleeve 22 is treated to resist ingrowth of tissue into the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tension member according to claim 7, wherein the external surface of the sleeve 22 is annealed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tension member according to claim 7, wherein at least the surface pores of the sleeve 22 are occluded with silicone rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tension member according to claim 8, wherein the porous sleeve is substantially completely impregnated with silicone rubber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tension member according to claim 6, wherein the protective sleeve 22 has an open porous surface which promotes the ingrowth of tissue into the sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tension member according to any one of claims 6-11, wherein the protective sleeve 22 is formed of a biocompatible polymeric material comprising fibers of polytetrafluoroethylene in a porous matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene bonding resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tension member according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein said sleeve is of silicone rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tension member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the parallel strands 16, 36 are of polyamide, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene or polyester and said bonding film 14, 34 is a perfluocarbon polymer, a perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon polymer or high molecular weight polyethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tension member according to any one of claims 1-3 or 6-14 as dependent thereon, wherein the ends of the structure adjacent the bonding films 14 are coated with a layer 20 of porous biocompatible polymeric material which promotes the ingrowth of tissue within the pores of the polymeric material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tension member according to claim 5 or 15, wherein the porous biocompatible polymeric material comprises a blend of polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon fibers in a porous matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene resin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tension member according to claim 5 or 15, wherein the porous polymeric material is a polyester fiber velour.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tension member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one end of the sleeve 22 is protected by a protective skirt 26 of biocompatible material mounted around said sleeve and extending along at least part of the length thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tension member according to claim 18, characterised in that said skirt 26 comprises a tubular member coaxial with the end of said sleeve 22 and bonded thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tension member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one end of the structure is externally protected by a removable sheath 28 to protect said sleeve from damage prior to or during implantation and removable from said structure after implantation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tension member according to claim 20, characterised in that the externally protected end of the structure is of a reduced dimension to provide a leader 24 for insertion of the structure during implantation, said sheath 28 being bonded to said leader and removable therewith after implantation of the structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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