A system for promoting the biological attachment of connective tissue to bone implants.

Abstract

The described system, designed to promote the biological attachment of fibrous connective tissue to a bone implant, features a bone implant having a scaffold defining a porous attachment surface, a suction port, and a manifold distributing a negative pressure gradient across the entire attachment surface. The system also includes an external vacuum pump and a percutaneous suction hose connecting the implant's suction port to the vacuum pump. The implant is placed inside the patient's body with the connective tissue grafted to the attachment surface, the suction hose is attached, and it is connected to the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump, operating outside the body, creates a negative pressure gradient over an extended period, promoting the growth of Sharpey's fibers, which grow slowly for optimal biological integration. To promote endogenous growth factor transport, highly vascularized tissue grafts, such as pedicled muscle flaps, may be grafted adjacent to avascular tendons.

Claims

1. A system for promoting the biological attachment of fibrous connective tissue to a bone implant, wherein the system is The aforementioned bone implant, A scaffold that defines the porous adhesion surface, Suction port and A manifold connected to the scaffold and the suction port is provided to distribute a negative pressure gradient across the entire adhesion surface. An external vacuum pump, A percutaneous suction hose connected to the suction port of the implant and the vacuum pump, The system includes a bone implant, and when in use, With the connective tissue in contact with the attachment surface, the implant is embedded in the patient's body. The suction hose is installed between the suction port and the vacuum pump outside the body. The vacuum pump is operated outside the body for a period of time to induce a negative pressure gradient across the attachment surface in order to promote the biological integration of the connective tissue into the scaffold. The suction hose is removed from the suction port after the period. A system that is configured in such a way.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a vascular tissue graft is applied to the connective tissue, the connective tissue further comprising a vascular tissue graft located between the vascular tissue graft and the attachment surface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the vascular tissue graft is a pedunculated muscle flap.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned period exceeds one week.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the suction port is configured to disengage the inserted end of the suction hose when the suction hose is pulled.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the suction port is provided with a hose barb.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the hose barb is completely hidden within the recess.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the manifold is defined by an internal chamber and a plurality of conduits connected to the internal chamber and the scaffold.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment surface comprises a series of needles that engage with the connective tissue.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the needle is inclined with respect to the tensile direction of the connective tissue.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the needle is permeable and defines an internal lumen that forms part of the manifold.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the needle comprises a lumen connected to a side hole.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the needle is cannula-shaped.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a main portion and a detachable augment attachable to the main portion, and the augment comprises a manifold, a suction port, and a scaffold.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the augment defines an internal channel for engaging with the main portion.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a clamp configured to press and fix the entire connective tissue against the attachment surface.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the clamp defines a manifold configured to distribute a negative pressure gradient across the permeable surface of the clamp.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the clamp has an independent suction port.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment surface has a cross-section that is anatomically compatible with the connective tissue.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the distal edge of the adhesion surface is curved.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein the implant has a smooth surface adjacent to the attachment surface.

22. The system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment surface has an anatomical curvature.

23. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a main body defining a recess, and the scaffold is inserted into and held within the recess.

24. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant defines a plurality of attachment surfaces, each having its own suction port.

25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant is a knee implant.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment surface is configured to attach to the knee extensor mechanism.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment surface is configured to attach to patellar connective tissue.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the implant comprises a plurality of attachment surfaces and a manifold, and at least two of the attachment surfaces are configured to attach to the patella, iliotibial band, sartorius muscle, gracilis muscle, and semitendinosus tendon, respectively.

29. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant is a hip joint implant.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the attachment surface is configured to attach to the iliofemoral ligament.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the adhesion surface is arranged laterally and upward.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the attachment surface has an anatomical curvature that mimics the anatomical profile of the greater trochanter.

33. The system according to claim 29, wherein the attachment surface is positioned on the inside and configured to attach to the femoropelvic ligament.

34. The system according to claim 29, wherein a pedicled flap of the gluteus maximus muscle is applied to the connective tissue.

35. The system according to claim 1, wherein the implant is a shoulder implant.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the attachment surface is arranged laterally and configured to attach to the supraspinatus muscle.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the attachment surface is positioned on the inside and configured to attach to the infraspinatus muscle.

38. A method requiring the system described in claim 1, wherein the method is The implant described above is embedded in the patient's body, Applying the connective tissue to the aforementioned attachment surface, The suction hose is installed between the suction port and the vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is located outside the patient's body. In order to promote the biological integration of the connective tissue into the scaffold, the vacuum pump is operated for a period of time to induce a negative pressure gradient across the entire attachment surface. After the aforementioned period, the suction hose that has been removed from the suction port is removed, A method that includes [a certain feature].

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