Collagen Fiber Tendon Bioprosthesis for Stronger Repair and Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current suturing techniques for repairing ruptured or lacerated tendons are inadequate in restoring original mechanical properties and mobility, often leading to scar formation and peripheral adhesions that limit excursion.

Innovation Solution

The development of implantable biocompatible prostheses comprising a multi-fiber bundle of NDGA-treated polymer fibers, configured as a ligament or tendon bioprosthesis, with a sutured attachment mechanism that includes square knots and half-hitch knots to secure the construct to local bone or tissue, promoting neo-tendon growth and enhanced repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional suturing techniques are used to join tendon ends, then mechanical strength to prevent gapping is achieved, but the tendon cannot regain original mechanical properties or mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidoriginal mechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into multiple parallel collagen fibers (e.g., 15-57 fibers) that maintain the linear organization found in natural tendons. This segmented structure allows each fiber to bear load independently while collectively restoring the tendon's original mechanical properties, overcoming the limitation of conventional suturing that cannot regain original mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetendon congruityVSAvoidscar formation and adhesions

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biocompatible collagen fiber construct enables the body's natural healing processes to occur without requiring aggressive immobilization. The organized parallel fiber structure provides immediate structural support that maintains tendon congruity while allowing gentle movement, preventing scar formation and adhesions through the body's own regenerative capabilities rather than forced immobilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If linear organization of collagen fibers is maintained, then optimal stiffness and strength at low strains are achieved, but repairing ruptured tendons becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness and strengthVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is pre-formed with the optimal linear organization of collagen fibers that mimics natural tendon structure before implantation. This preliminary preparation ensures the construct has the desired mechanical properties (stiffness and strength) while being ready for straightforward surgical implantation, eliminating the difficulty of creating such organized structures during the repair procedure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a biocompatible construct with mechanical properties similar to natural tendons or ligaments, facilitating effective repair and augmentation by allowing neo-tendon growth, thereby improving tensile strength and mobility post-implantation.

Implementation Method 1

a first and second suture wrapped laterally at least once about a perimeter of a respective one of the first and second end portions of the construct and tied with a square knot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the suture having suture legs extending away from the square knot for affixing the construct to local bone or tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

The fibers comprise nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) NDGA-treated polymer fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 4

a flexible implantable biocompatible construct comprising polymerized collagen fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollagen polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

implantable biocompatible prostheses that provide new and alternative surgical treatments of tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocompatibility:

Implementation Method 6

promoting neo-tendon growth and enhanced repair

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTissue regeneration:

Data Source

PatentEP2114473B1Tendon or ligament bioprostheses and methods of making same

Publication Date: 2011.10.12 SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C

AI summary

The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis having an implantable construct with a multi-fiber array of collagen fibers attached together.