Braided Collagen Tendon Implants for Strength and Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suturing techniques for repairing ruptured or lacerated tendons and ligaments often fail to restore original mechanical properties or mobility, leading to inadequate mechanical strength, scar formation, and peripheral adhesions that limit excursion.
Innovation Solution
Implantable biocompatible prostheses with NDGA-treated collagen fibers braided or woven into interlocking patterns, forming either flat ribbon or tubular rope configurations, designed to mimic natural tendon and ligament structures, providing enhanced mechanical strength and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional suturing techniques are used to join split ends of tendons, then sufficient mechanical strength to prevent gapping is achieved, but the tendon cannot regain original mechanical properties or mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is constructed from multiple discrete fiber bundles (e.g., 9 bundles of 9 parallel fibers each) that are braided or woven together. This segmented structure allows the prosthesis to maintain strength while providing flexibility and mobility, as each bundle can move independently while contributing to overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs NDGA-treated collagen fibers with specific physical and chemical properties that differ from natural tendon material. The treatment modifies the collagen fibers to achieve optimal tensile strength, stiffness, and biocompatibility, allowing the prosthesis to provide sufficient mechanical strength while promoting tissue ingrowth and eventual mobility restoration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If immobilization protocols are used to restore tendon congruity, then tendon alignment is achieved, but scar formation and peripheral adhesions occur that limit excursions
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is designed to be self-reinforcing through its braided or woven structure, which provides inherent stability and congruity restoration without requiring prolonged immobilization. The interlocking fiber pattern distributes mechanical loads evenly, maintaining tendon alignment while allowing early controlled motion that prevents scar formation and adhesions.
Solution Approach 2:
The braided and woven construction creates a porous, interconnected structure with spaces between fiber bundles. This porous architecture allows for tissue ingrowth, vascularization, and fluid penetration, promoting natural healing processes while maintaining structural integrity, thereby avoiding the need for immobilization that would cause scarring.
3Strength
If linear organization of collagen fibers is used, then optimal stiffness and strength at low strains are achieved, but repairing ruptured or lacerated tendons becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple discrete fiber bundles that can be independently handled, manipulated, and sutured during repair procedures. This segmentation makes the prosthesis easier to implant and repair compared to solid linear structures, while the collective arrangement of bundles maintains the optimal linear collagen fiber organization for strength and stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis combines multiple fiber bundles into a composite structure with braided or woven architecture. This composite construction provides the mechanical properties of linear collagen organization while adding structural complexity that facilitates repairability through modular assembly and distribution of mechanical loads across multiple bundles.
Data Source
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Figure 4A~4C
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AI summary
The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis having an implantable braided or woven construct with a plurality of fibers interlocked or interlaced together.