Surgical Ligament Reconstruction Sleeve with Bone Regrowth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical techniques for cruciate ligament reconstruction primarily focus on functional restoration, failing to accurately reproduce the anatomical insertion and natural environment of the native ligament, leading to suboptimal integration and stability of the replacement ligament.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a penetrator and sleeve member, made from biocompatible materials like trabecular titanium and collagen mesh, designed to be inserted into the tibial plate to create a channel that mimics the natural insertion of the cruciate ligament, providing a secure and protective environment for the replacement ligament and facilitating bone regrowth and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a channel is made via bone perforation to route the replacement ligament, then the ligament can be fixed and routed, but the anatomical insertion and natural environment of the ligament cannot be accurately reproduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveligament routing and fixationVSAvoidanatomical insertion accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A biological sleeve is introduced as an intermediary element between the replacement ligament and the tibial bone. This sleeve mimics the natural anatomical environment of the cruciate ligament insertion, providing a protective and integrative medium that enables both easy ligament routing and accurate anatomical reconstruction simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biological sleeve is designed with a porous structure that allows bone tissue to regenerate and integrate with the sleeve material. This porous configuration enables the sleeve to serve as both a protective barrier for the ligament and a framework for bone regrowth, achieving both ease of operation and anatomical precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If the replacement ligament is routed in an artificial channel, then fixation is achieved, but the ligament is exposed to harmful interactions with channel walls and ends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveligament fixation stabilityVSAvoidinteraction with channel walls

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biological sleeve acts as a protective intermediary that surrounds the replacement ligament, shielding it from harmful interactions with the artificial channel walls while maintaining secure fixation. The sleeve creates a benign environment that eliminates abrasive and inflammatory contacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biological sleeve functions as a flexible protective shell that envelops the ligament. This shell-like structure provides mechanical protection and a smooth interface between the ligament and the surgical site, preventing direct contact with harmful channel surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If autologous or donor tendons are used for ligament reconstruction, then functional replacement is achieved, but anatomical restoration and integration with surrounding structures is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveligament reconstruction efficiencyVSAvoidanatomical restoration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The biological sleeve serves as an intermediary that bridges the replacement ligament and the tibial bone, enabling both functional reconstruction and anatomical restoration. It provides a interface that facilitates precise anatomical positioning while maintaining the efficiency of using autologous or donor tendons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the replacement ligament (autologous or donor tendon) with the biological sleeve material to create a composite reconstruction system. This composite approach allows the ligament to maintain its functional properties while the sleeve provides the anatomical restoration and integration capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 device enables anatomical reconstruction of the ligament, providing immediate protection and long-term integration with the bone, resembling the natural insertion of the native ligament, with resorbable materials promoting bone replacement and fusion with the replacement ligament.

Implementation Method 1

facilitating bone regrowth and integration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone regrowth:

Implementation Method 2

made from biocompatible materials like trabecular titanium and collagen mesh

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocompatibility:

Implementation Method 3

with resorbable materials promoting bone replacement and fusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial resorption:

Data Source

PatentUS20220218463A1Device for surgical reconstruction of a cruciate ligament

Publication Date: 2022.07.14 INST ORTOPEDICO RIZZOLI

AI summary

Described herein is a device for an intervention of reconstruction of a cruciate ligament that includes a penetrator defining a first passage lumen, and sleeve member coupled to the penetrator and defining a second passage lumen that is in communication with the first passage lumen. The penetrator is configured for being introduced into a tibial plate and for receiving a replacement cruciate ligament through the first passage lumen. The sleeve member is configured for receiving the replacement cruciate ligament through the second passage lumen.