Bone Block Assemblies with Omega Cavities for Tendon Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone-tendon-bone grafts face challenges in securely attaching slippery tendons to bone blocks, leading to slippage and loss of tension, which compromises the stability and healing of joint injuries, particularly in severe ligament damage cases.
Innovation Solution
The use of an intermediate bone block with strategically designed cavities, such as omega-shaped channels, on the tendon-engaging surface provides a superior grip without damaging the tendon, allowing for enhanced tensile strength and stability by capturing and holding the tendon effectively between bone blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional compression or stitching methods are used to attach tendon to bone blocks, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but the tensile strength and stability of the graft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bone block is segmented with multiple cavities distributed across its surface, each cavity serving as an independent gripping element. This segmentation allows the tendon to be captured and held at multiple discrete locations, significantly increasing the overall tensile strength while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavities are nested within the bone block structure, with the tendon inserted through and around these cavities. The tendon is captured within the cavities which are themselves embedded in the bone block, creating a nested configuration that maximizes gripping capability without adding external complexity.
2Reliability
If a smooth bone block surface is used, then the manufacturing is easier, but the tendon slips and loses tension during use
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire bone block surface complex, only specific localized areas are modified by creating cavities. The majority of the bone block surface remains smooth and easy to manufacture, while the cavities provide enhanced gripping capability where needed. This localized modification maintains manufacturing ease while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If the tendon is compressed between bone blocks to prevent slippage, then the tendon is held in place, but the tendon may be damaged by excessive compression
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on compression in one dimension, the cavities provide gripping capability in multiple dimensions by capturing the tendon laterally. This multi-dimensional capture prevents slippage without requiring excessive compressive force that could damage the tendon, as the cavities distribute the holding force across multiple directions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has multiple aspects. In its simplest aspect, the present invention is directed to an intermediate bone block comprising a machined segment of cortical bone, cancellous bone or both, the intermediate having a face comprising one to ten compression surfaces and one to ten cavities, the compression surfaces suitable for compressing soft tissue, the cavities for receiving and holding overflow soft tissue. The cavities are preferably channels, and more preferably channels having an omega cross-sectional profile. The invention is also directed to bone block assemblies suitable for binding to a soft tissue to form an implantable graft, and to such implantable grafts. A particularly preferred graft is a bone-tendon-bone graft.