Artificial braided ligament and braiding method

Abstract

The present application relates to an artificial braided ligament and a braiding method, and relates to the technical field of medical prosthesis replacement. An artificial braided ligament comprises: an artificial braided ligament comprising two braided bodies and a non-braided body located between the two braided bodies and respectively connected to the two braided bodies; the braided body comprises a plurality of cylindrical single-layer braided tubes sequentially arranged from the inside to the outside, and the plurality of single-layer braided tubes form a cone at one end facing away from the non-braided body; a plurality of braided fixing wires are connected between each of the single-layer braided tubes. The artificial braided ligament of the present application has the effect of not relying on the doctor's braiding and cutting techniques, and can change the diameter of the braid according to the actual situation of the patient to meet the different needs of ACL reconstruction implants.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of medical prosthesis replacement, and in particular relates to an artificial braided ligament and a braiding method. Background Art

[0002] Artificial ligaments are medical implants used to replace or reinforce damaged ligaments. They are usually made of highly elastic and tough materials to mimic the function of normal ligaments in the human body.

[0003] The artificial ligament is made of polyester material and has high biocompatibility and mechanical properties. It is suitable for patients with ruptured or severe damage to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee due to sports injuries, traffic accidents or other reasons.

[0004] Artificial ligaments currently on the market use a sheet-like braided structure. During implantation, the sheet-like braided structure is rolled up and then tied with sutures to simulate a ligament. On the one hand, this type of structure is not conducive to surgical procedures, as it relies on the surgeon's skill in rolling the braided structure, affecting surgical quality and efficiency. On the other hand, the diameter of the braided tendon needs to be adjusted based on the patient's actual condition. However, this diameter is difficult to adjust and requires cutting, which can lead to uneven edges of the artificial ligament and affect the implantation effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] We hope to provide an artificial braided ligament that is independent of the doctor's braiding and cutting techniques and can change the diameter of the braid according to the patient's actual situation to meet the different needs of ACL reconstruction implants.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an artificial braided ligament, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An artificial braided ligament comprises two braided bodies and a non-braided body located between the two braided bodies and respectively connecting the two braided bodies;

[0008] The braided body comprises a plurality of cylindrical single-layer braided tubes sequentially sleeved from the inside to the outside, wherein the ends of the plurality of single-layer braided tubes facing away from the non-braided body together form a cone;

[0009] A plurality of braiding fixing wires are connected between each of the single-layer braiding cylinders.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple cylindrical single-layer braided tubes are sequentially sleeved to form a braided body. The single-layer braided tubes can be increased or decreased according to the needs of different patients, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the number of braided body layers. Each single-layer braided tube does not go through the cutting process, and the yarns form a complete connection. When combined together, a plurality of braided fixing lines form an integrated solid braided body structure. There is no uncertainty caused by relying on the doctor's own technique to cut the ligament, and it can adapt to the needs of different patients for ligaments of different diameters. In addition, the present application does not require cutting of the braided body, and can maintain the connection between the yarns, so that the strength of the entire braided body is more guaranteed.

[0011] The ends of the two braided bodies also form a cone body that is easy to implant into the femur and tibia. At the same time, the two braided bodies are braided and fixed into one by a braided fixing line, achieving an overall braiding and no cutting method.

[0012] Optionally, there are at least four single-layer braided tubes, each of which is formed by curling a rectangular woven sheet, and the rectangular woven sheet includes an upper edge sealing structure, a lower edge sealing structure, a left edge sealing structure and a right edge sealing structure, and the left edge sealing structure and the right edge sealing structure are connected by a cross-arranged suture line.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, rectangular woven sheets are used to form each single-layer woven tube, and at the same time, edge sealing measures are implemented on all four sides of the rectangular woven sheet. When the left and right edge seals are fixed together, cross-set stitching lines are used to make the two edge seals difficult to separate, thereby ensuring the strength of the single single-layer woven tube.

[0014] Optionally, the braided fixing wire includes an inclined portion passing through the cone busbar and a serpentine bent portion connecting the inclined portion;

[0015] The bent portion is used to connect the side walls and the lower edge sealing structure of each single-layer braided tube.

[0016] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the single-layer braided tubes forming the cone are connected from the outside through the inclined portion, and each inclined portion forms a conical connecting surface. The bent portion connected to the inclined portion is connected to the side wall of each single-layer braided tube in the radial and transverse directions, thereby forming a conical surface connection for each single-layer braided tube. Combined with the internal transverse and longitudinal staggered connection, the whole is like multiple snakes entangled with each other, forming countless connection networks inside the braided body. Compared with the one-piece braided body, the connection strength is better and the diameter of the ligament can be adjusted according to the patient's needs.

[0017] Optionally, the bending portion includes an oblique body and a comb-tooth portion, one end of which is connected to the inclined portion and the other end of which is inclined toward the non-woven body side.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the inclined portion of the braided fixing line is set to a certain inclined angle, so that the braided fixing line coming from the cone can have a better pulling effect on each single-layer braided tube, and the fixed connection effect is better.

[0019] Optionally, the non-woven body includes a plurality of sutures, and the single-layer woven tubes with the same diameter in the two woven bodies are connected evenly spaced apart by the plurality of sutures.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, a connection method with a ring-shaped cross section is formed between each of the two single-layer braided tubes facing each other upward and downward. The cross sections of the stitches between all the single-layer braided tubes facing each other upward and downward are spliced ​​to form multiple circular rings, thereby forming multiple layers of connecting rings between the upper and lower braided bodies, and the overall connection strength is enhanced.

[0021] Optionally, two titanium plate fixing lines are mirror-imaged on one of the braids, each titanium plate fixing line comprises a penetration portion radially arranged along the braid, an arc portion arranged along the outer wall of the braid, and an exit portion radially arranged along the braid, and the penetration portion and the exit portion are arranged at an angle.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the titanium plate is fixed to the femoral end, and the ligament is fixed to the femur by the titanium plate fixing wire on the braid. The titanium plate fixing wire is arranged in a mirror image in the circumferential direction of the braid. This makes the braided ligament more firmly fixed and better able to withstand various external forces.

[0023] Optionally, the widths of the upper edge sealing structure, the lower edge sealing structure, the left edge sealing structure and the right edge sealing structure are all 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, the size distribution ratio of the braided body and the edge banding is made more reasonable.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for weaving an artificial ligament, which is used for the aforementioned artificially weaved ligament and adopts the following technical solution:

[0026] A method for weaving an artificial ligament comprises the following steps:

[0027] Providing a plurality of rectangular woven sheets of different sizes, and sewing two opposite sides of each rectangular woven sheet to form a single-layer woven tube;

[0028] The single-layer braided tubes are sequentially sleeved from the inside to the outside, and when the outer single-layer braided tube is sleeved on the adjacent inner single-layer braided tube, the inner cylindrical single-layer braided tube is tied;

[0029] Adjusting each of the single-layer braided tubes to form a cone at one end and a flat body at the other end;

[0030] A plurality of braided fixing wires are used to pass through the top of the cone along its generatrix and then pass through the cylindrical part of each single-layer braided tube in a serpentine shape.

[0031] In summary, the present application provides at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: First, multiple cylindrical single-layer braided tubes are sequentially arranged to form a solid braided body, and the diameter of the ligament can be adjusted by adding or removing single-layer braided tubes according to the needs of different patients. This eliminates the uncertainty associated with relying on the doctor's own cutting technique and can accommodate different patients' needs for ligaments of varying diameters.

[0032] Furthermore, each single-layer braided tube within the braided structure is not cut, maintaining the interconnectedness of the individual yarns. When combined, the braided ligament maintains a consistent connection under stress, making it less susceptible to breakage. This extends the lifespan of the braided ligament implant and further ensures the strength of the entire structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an artificial braided ligament embodying the present application;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a rectangular woven sheet embodying the present application;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a cylindrical single-layer braided tube embodying the present application;

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a braided fixation wire and a titanium plate fixation wire embodying the present application;

[0037] Figure 5 It is a front view of the braided fixing line embodying the present application.

[0038] Description of reference numerals:

[0039] 1. Braided body; 2. Non-braided body; 21. Suture; 3. Braided fixing line; 31. Inclined part; 321. Oblique body; 322. Comb tooth part; 3221. Vertical part; 3222. Horizontal part; 32. Bending part; 4. Rectangular braided sheet; 41. Upper edge sealing structure; 42. Lower edge sealing structure; 43. Left edge sealing structure; 44. Right edge sealing structure; 5. Suture; 6. Titanium plate fixing line; 61. Penetration part; 62. Arc part; 63. Exit part; 10. Single-layer braided tube; 11. Conical body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following is combined with Figure 1-Figure 5 This application is described in further detail.

[0041] The embodiments of the present application disclose an artificial braided ligament.

[0042] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 An artificial braided ligament comprises a non-woven body 2 and braided bodies 1 distributed at both ends of the non-woven body 2, wherein the two braided bodies 1 have the same structure. Each braided body 1 is formed by at least four cylindrical single-layer braided tubes 10 arranged to form a solid structure.

[0043] The non-woven body 2 includes a plurality of sutures 21, and a plurality of sutures 21 are evenly spaced and connected on the bottom circumference of each two opposing single-layer woven tubes 10 of the same diameter, so that the cross-sections of the plurality of sutures 21 are spliced ​​to form a plurality of circular rings, so that a multi-layer connecting ring is formed between the two woven bodies 1, and the overall connection strength is enhanced.

[0044] Each cylindrical single-layer braided tube 10 is formed by rolling a rectangular braided sheet 4 into a cylindrical shape. The rectangular braided sheet 4 includes an upper edge banding structure 41, a lower edge banding structure 42, a left edge banding structure 43, and a right edge banding structure 44. Any two opposing edges of each rectangular braided sheet 4 are overlapped and sewn together. In this embodiment, the left edge banding structure 43 and the right edge banding structure 44 are overlapped and secured together with sutures 5, which are arranged in a cross pattern, but are not limited to this. The widths of the upper edge banding structure 41, the lower edge banding structure 42, the left edge banding structure 43, and the right edge banding structure 44 are all between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0045] Each cylindrical single-layer braided tube 10 in each braided body 1 gradually becomes shorter and thicker from the inside to the outside, that is, the diameter of the outer single-layer braided tube 10 is larger than the diameter of the adjacent inner single-layer braided tube 10, and the height of the outer single-layer braided tube 10 is smaller than the height of the adjacent inner single-layer braided tube 10. When the patient requires a thinner ligament, the number of cylindrical single-layer braided tubes 10 in the outer circle can be reduced to change the diameter of the artificial ligament. When the patient requires a thicker ligament, the number of single-layer braided tubes 10 can be increased, thereby achieving the effect of adjusting the diameter of the braided body 1 according to the patient's needs.

[0046] Each single-layer braided tube 10 is flush on one side close to the non-braided body 2, and is combined to form a cone 11 on the other side. The cones 11 are formed at both ends of the entire artificial braided ligament, which can help the ligament graft pass through the tibial tunnel and the femoral tunnel more easily, reduce the pressure and friction on the graft in the tunnel, thereby reducing surgical trauma and improving surgical accuracy.

[0047] The contact mode between any two adjacent layers in each single-layer braided tube 10 at the cone 11 can adopt a wedge-shaped contact mode, which can increase the compression degree of any two adjacent layers at the cone 11. Therefore, compared with the one-piece braided body 1, the present application can not only adapt to the needs of different patients for ligaments of different thicknesses, but also improve the overall ligament strength when the knee is bent when implanted in the body.

[0048] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 A plurality of braided fixing wires 3 are connected between each single-layer braided tube 10 to make the entire braided body 1 have a stronger connection. When subjected to force, there are transverse and radial connections between the entire ligaments, and the overall strength is guaranteed.

[0049] The braided fixing wire 3 includes an inclined portion 31 that passes through the generatrix of the cone 11 and a serpentine bent portion 32 connecting the inclined portion 31. The inclined portion 31 passes through the upper edge structure 41 of the central single-layer braided tube 10 along the generatrix of the cone 11, passing through the upper edge structures 41 of other single-layer braided tubes 10 in sequence until the end of the inclined portion 31 is sewn to the outermost single-layer braided tube 10.

[0050] The bending portion 32 includes a slash body 321 and a comb tooth portion 322. One end of the slash body 321 is connected to the end of the inclined portion 31 sewn on the outermost single-layer woven tube 10, and the other end extends obliquely to the side wall of the outermost single-layer woven tube 10 away from the inclined portion 31. The slash body 321 is inclined toward the side of the non-woven body 2, so that the side walls of each single-layer woven tube 10 are connected in the radial and transverse directions.

[0051] The comb teeth portion 322 includes a vertical portion 3221 and a horizontal portion 3222 connected to the oblique body 321, and the vertical portion 3221 and the horizontal portion 3222 are arranged in an interlaced manner. There are multiple braiding fixing wires 3, and they are evenly spaced on the upper edge structure 41 of the single-layer braided tube 10. The multiple braiding fixing wires 3 are arranged so that a ring-shaped connecting wire is formed on the upper edge structure 41 of each single-layer braided tube 10. Different single-layer braided tubes 10 are connected together in the radial direction through a single braiding fixing wire 3. Staggered horizontal and vertical connections are formed inside the braided body 1, just like multiple snakes are entangled with each other, so that the braided body 1 forms an entangled structure composed of countless connection nets. Compared with the one-piece braided body 1, the connection strength is better and stronger.

[0052] The braid 1 at one end of the ligament is connected to a titanium plate fixed to the femur, while the braid 1 at the other end of the ligament is connected to a screw fixed to the tibial end. Two titanium plate fixation wires 6 are mirror-imaged on the braid 1. Each titanium plate fixation wire 6 includes an entry portion 61 that penetrates radially into the braid 1, an arc portion 62 arranged along the outer wall of the braid 1, and an exit portion 63 that extends radially out of the braid 1. The entry portion 61 and the exit portion 63 are arranged at an angle between 40° and 50°. The two ends of each titanium plate fixation wire 6 are fixed to the titanium plate.

[0053] The embodiments of the present application also disclose a weaving method for the above-mentioned artificial braided ligament.

[0054] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a method for weaving an artificial ligament, comprising the following steps:

[0055] Step S1: providing a plurality of rectangular woven sheets 4 of different sizes, and sewing two opposite sides of each rectangular woven sheet 4 to form a single-layer woven tube 10;

[0056] Specifically, the rectangular woven sheet 4 is edge-sealed at the top, bottom, left, and right sides to form an upper edge-sealed structure 41, a lower edge-sealed structure 42, a left edge-sealed structure 43, and a right edge-sealed structure 44. The left edge-sealed structure 43 and the right edge-sealed structure 44 are overlapped and sewn together along the length direction using cross-stitching sutures 5.

[0057] The long sides of the rectangular woven sheet 4 of the single-layer woven tube 10 formed in the center serve as the left and right edge sealing structures, and the short sides serve as the upper and lower edge sealing structures. The left and right edge sealing structures of the rectangular woven sheet 4 of the single-layer woven tube 10 forming the outer ring are shorter than the left and right edge sealing structures of the single-layer woven tube 10 on the inner side, and the upper and lower edge sealing structures of the rectangular woven sheet 4 of the single-layer woven tube 10 forming the outer ring are longer than the upper and lower edge sealing structures of the single-layer woven tube 10 on the inner side.

[0058] See also Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 Step S2: sequentially sleeve the single-layer braided tubes 10 from the inside to the outside. When the outer single-layer braided tube 10 is sleeved on the adjacent inner single-layer braided tube 10, the inner cylindrical single-layer braided tube 10 is tied.

[0059] Specifically, the number of single-layer braided tubes 10 is greater than 4, and the number of single-layer braided tubes 10 can be increased or decreased according to the thickness of the ligament required by the patient. In this embodiment, the number of single-layer braided tubes 10 is set to 4, but is not limited to this.

[0060] Use the binding line to bind the single-layer braided tube 10 with a smaller diameter and a longer length, and then sequentially sleeve the single-layer braided tube 10 with a larger diameter and a shorter length on the outside. After the binding is completed, untie the binding line.

[0061] In this way, the number of layers of the braided ligament can be gradually increased, and eventually a nearly solid braided ligament is obtained. The structure of the solid braided ligament will be more stable and can better withstand tension and pressure.

[0062] Step S3: adjusting the position of each single-layer braided tube 10 to form a cone 11 at one end and to be flush at the other end;

[0063] Specifically, after obtaining the solid braided ligament, the positions of the single-layer braided tubes 10 are adjusted to form a cone 11 at the top of the whole, with the bottom angle of the cone 11 ranging from 60° to 70°, so as to facilitate the implantation of the braided ligament.

[0064] Step S4: Use multiple braided fixing wires 3 to pass through the apex of the cone 11 along the generatrix of the cone 11 and then pass through the radial and longitudinal directions of each single-layer braided cylinder 10 in a serpentine shape.

[0065] Using the braided fixing thread 3, starting from the upper edge structure 41 of the most central cylindrical single-layer braided tube 10, the upper edge structures 41 of each cylindrical single-layer braided tube 10 are connected in sequence along the generatrix of the cone 11. After connecting to the upper edge structure 41 of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10, the braided fixing thread 3 will pass through the axis to reach the vertical side wall of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10 to form a diagonal body 321. Then, it will move downward 6mm to 15mm and pass through the axis again to reach the other side of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10. Repeat this operation until the stitching of the lower edge structure 42 of the single-layer braided tube 10 is completed and the comb teeth 322 are formed. During the entire process, we need to operate in the circumferential direction 8 to 16 times to ensure that the braided fixing thread 3 can be evenly distributed in various parts of the braided ligament.

[0066] "When connected to the upper edge sealing structure 41 of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10, the braiding fixing line 3 will pass through the axis to reach the vertical side wall of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10", wherein the braiding fixing line 3 will pass through the axis to reach the vertical side wall of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10 to form a slant body 321, and the slant body 321 is arranged to be tilted downward and has an angle of 96° with the downward moving vertical line (vertical part 3221).

[0067] "Move downward 6mm to 15mm, pass through the axis again to reach the other side of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10", where the line that passes through the axis again to reach the other side of the outermost single-layer braided tube 10 is set horizontally, and the subsequent lines passing from one side of the single-layer braided tube 10 to the other side are all set horizontally, that is, the horizontal part 3222.

[0068] Step S5: two mirror-image titanium plate fixing wires 6 are provided at one end of one of the braided bodies 1, and the titanium plate fixing wires 6 are connected to the titanium plate fixed at the femoral end;

[0069] Specifically, a titanium plate fixing wire 6 is horizontally set at the lower half of the top of the conical body 11 of the braid 1. Use a guide needle to pass the two ends of the titanium plate fixing wire 6 from the side wall of each cylindrical single-layer braided tube 10 to the axis to form an entry portion 61 that penetrates radially along the braid 1, an arc portion 62 that surrounds the outer wall of the braid 1, and an exit portion 63 that passes through the braid 1. The angle between the entry portion 61 and the exit portion 63 is between 40° and 50°. Then, the ends of the entry portion 61 and the exit portion 63 are passed along the axis of the braid 1. In order to ensure the fixing effect, two titanium plate fixing wires 6 are mirrored in the circumferential direction of the braid 1. This will make the fixation of the braided ligament more firm and better able to withstand the effects of various external forces.

[0070] Each single-layer braided tube 10 in the braided body 1 does not go through a cutting process, and can maintain the connection relationship between each yarn, forming a complete connection between the yarns.

[0071] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An artificial braided ligament, characterized in that: It comprises two braided bodies (1) and a non-braided body (2) located between the two braided bodies (1) and respectively connecting the two braided bodies; The braided body (1) comprises a plurality of cylindrical single-layer braided tubes (10) sequentially sleeved from the inside to the outside, and the ends of the plurality of single-layer braided tubes (10) facing away from the non-braided body (2) together form a cone (11); A plurality of braided fixing wires (3) are connected between each of the single-layer braided cylinders (10); There are at least four single-layer braided tubes (10), each of which is formed by curling a rectangular braided sheet (4), wherein the rectangular braided sheet (4) comprises an upper edge-sealing structure (41), a lower edge-sealing structure (42), a left edge-sealing structure (43), and a right edge-sealing structure (44), wherein a cross-arranged suture line (5) is connected between the left edge-sealing structure (43) and the right edge-sealing structure (44); The braided fixing wire (3) comprises an inclined portion (31) passing through the busbar of the cone (11) and a serpentine bending portion (32) connecting the inclined portion (31); The bending portion (32) is used to connect the side wall and the lower edge sealing structure (42) of each of the single-layer braided tubes (10); The lengths of the left and right edge sealing structures of the rectangular woven sheet (4) of the single-layer woven tube (10) forming the outer ring are shorter than the lengths of the left and right edge sealing structures of the single-layer woven tube (10) inside the outer ring, and the lengths of the upper and lower edge sealing structures of the rectangular woven sheet (4) of the single-layer woven tube (10) forming the outer ring are longer than the lengths of the upper and lower edge sealing structures of the single-layer woven tube (10) inside the outer ring.

2. The artificial braided ligament according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bending portion (32) comprises an oblique body (321) with one end connected to the inclined portion (31) and the other end inclined toward the non-woven body (2) and a comb tooth portion (322).

3. The artificial braided ligament according to claim 1, characterized in that: The non-woven body (2) comprises a plurality of sutures (21), and the single-layer woven tubes (10) with the same diameter in the two woven bodies (1) are evenly spaced and connected by the plurality of sutures (21).

4. The artificial braided ligament according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two titanium plate fixing lines (6) are mirror-imaged on one of the braids (1), each titanium plate fixing line (6) comprising a penetration portion (61) radially arranged along the braid (1), an arc portion (62) arranged along the outer wall of the braid (1), and an exit portion (63) radially arranged along the braid (1), wherein the penetration portion (61) and the exit portion (63) are arranged at an angle.

5. The artificial braided ligament according to claim 1, characterized in that: The widths of the upper edge sealing structure (41), the lower edge sealing structure (42), the left edge sealing structure (43), and the right edge sealing structure (44) are all 1 mm to 2 mm.

6. A method for braiding an artificial ligament, used for the artificial braided ligament according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Including steps: Providing a plurality of rectangular woven sheets (4) of different sizes, and sewing two opposite sides of each rectangular woven sheet (4) to form a single-layer woven tube (10); The single-layer braided tubes (10) are sequentially sleeved from the inside to the outside, and when the outer single-layer braided tube (10) is sleeved on the adjacent inner single-layer braided tube (10), the inner cylindrical single-layer braided tube (10) is tied; Adjusting each of the single-layer braided tubes (10) to form a cone (11) at one end and to make the other end flush; A plurality of braided fixing wires (3) are used to pass through the apex of the cone (11) along its generatrix and then pass through the cylindrical portion of each single-layer braided tube (10) in a serpentine shape.

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