EP0260970A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Improvements in and relating to artificial ligaments
Assignee: Imperial College London
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Filing: 1987-09-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An artificial ligament for connecting across a skeletal joint comprises a bundle of fibres 1 each comprising a plurality of filaments 1a of polyethylene terephthalate. The ligament is constructed by winding a plurality of turns of the fibre 1 onto a winding apparatus and then binding the ends to form loops 4. Also disclosed is a ligament fixation means in the form of a cylindrical grommet, and a tensioning instrument for use in implanting an artificial ligament.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew A. Amis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61F2/0805; A61F2/0811; A61F2002/0817; A61F2002/0823; A61F2002/0835; A61F2002/0847; A61F2002/0852; A61F2002/0858; A61F2002/087; A61F2002/0876; A61F2002/0882; A61F2002/0888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An artificial ligament for connecting across a skeletal joint, the ligament being characterised in that it comprises a plurality of substantially parallel fibres (1) of polymeric material and having a first end for accommodating fixation means (5,6) whereby the ligament may be secured to a first bone (2) of said joint, and a second end for accommodating fixation means (5,6) whereby the ligament may be secured, across the joint, to a second bone (3) of said joint, wherein the fibres each comprise a plurality of smaller diameter unconnected filaments (1a).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An artificial ligament for connecting across a skeletal joint, the ligament being characterised in that it comprises a plurality of substantially parallel fibres (1) of polymeric material and having a first end for accommodating fixation means (5,6) whereby the ligament may be secured to a first bone (2) of said joint, and a second end for accommodating fixation means (5,6) whereby the ligament may be secured, across the joint, to a second bone (3) of said joint, wherein the fibres each comprise a plurality of smaller diameter unconnected filaments (1a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An artificial ligament according to Claim 1 further characterised in that the ligament has a loop (14) at each end formed by binding the fibres together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An artificial ligament according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 further characterised in that the fibres are polyethylene terephthalate fibres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An artificial ligament according to any of the preceding Claims further characterised in that the diameter of each filament (1a) is in the range 5 to 25 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An artificial ligament according to Claim 4 further characterised in that the diameter of each filament (1a) is 15 microns.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of constructing an artificial ligament, the method being characterised in that it comprises winding onto a winding apparatus a plurality of turns of a fibre (1) of a polymeric material, said fibre comprising a plurality of smaller diameter unconnected filaments (1a), and removing the ligament so constructed from the winding apparatus.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of constructing an artificial ligament, the method being characterised in that it comprises winding onto a winding apparatus a plurality of turns of a fibre (1) of a polymeric material, said fibre comprising a plurality of smaller diameter unconnected filaments (1a), and removing the ligament so constructed from the winding apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to Claim 6 further characterised in that it includes the step of forming a loop (14) at each end of the ligament by binding the fibres together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
Fixation means for fixing an artificial ligament to a bone, said fixation means being characterised in that it comprises a substantially cylindrical grommet having an aperture therein for accommodating a bone screw and a radially extending flange (7) at one end thereof against which an end of the ligament locates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
Fixation means for fixing an artificial ligament to a bone, said fixation means being characterised in that it comprises a substantially cylindrical grommet having an aperture therein for accommodating a bone screw and a radially extending flange (7) at one end thereof against which an end of the ligament locates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
Fixation means according to Claim 8 further characterised in that the grommet includes, at the end opposite the flanged end, a tapering portion (29) for expanding a loop in an end of the ligament, and a central portion (6) between said two ends which is of larger diameter than the bone screw which it accommodates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Fixation means according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 further characterised in that the flanged end of the grommet is countersunk to completely accommodate the head of the bone screw.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Fixation means according to any of Claims 8 to 10 further characterised in that the outer surface of the central portion (6) of the grommet is porous.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tensioning instrument for use in the implantation of an artificial ligament, said instrument being characterised in that it comprises a handle, a member (40) for engaging an end of the ligament, and means (41) to mark a bone to indicate the correct position for attachment of the ligament to the bone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tensioning instrument for use in the implantation of an artificial ligament, said instrument being characterised in that it comprises a handle, a member (40) for engaging an end of the ligament, and means (41) to mark a bone to indicate the correct position for attachment of the ligament to the bone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tensioning instrument according to Claim 12 for use in the implantation of an artificial ligament having looped ends, further characterised in that the member (40) for engaging an end of the ligament is shaped as a capstan.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tensioning instrument according to Claim 12 for use in the implantation of an artificial ligament without looped ends, further characterised in that the member for engaging an end of the ligament comprises a pair of plates which can be screwed together to secure the ligament end therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tensioning instrument according to any of Claims 12 to 14 further characterised in that the means (41) for marking the bone comprises one or more downwardly pointing spikes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tensioning instrument according to any of Claims 12 to 15 further characterised in that the instrument includes means (49) to apply tension to the ligament.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tensioning instrument according to any of Claims 12 to 16 further characterised in that the instrument includes means (52,53) to indicate quantitatively the degree of tension in the ligament.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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