Prosthetic Ligament Transverse Fixation Loop Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial ligaments are not suitable for transverse fixation techniques, which require a different method of attachment and can lead to slippage of the fixation screw, increased trauma, and inadequate tissue colonization.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic ligament with a unique structure featuring a tibial end with two cylindrical strands and a femoral end forming an open loop connected by an intra-articular median part with double bundles of technical threads, allowing for reduced thread usage and improved tensile strength, designed for transverse fixation using a lateral tunnel system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional interference screw fixation is used, then the ligament can be fixed in the bone tunnel, but slippage of the fixation screw occurs and surgical trauma is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional fixation approach by using a transverse tunnel system where the screw passes through the ligament laterally rather than through the bone tunnel. This reversal of the fixation path eliminates the need for bone tunnel openings and prevents screw slippage while reducing surgical trauma
2Strength
If traditional ligament structure with many threads is used, then sufficient strength is achieved, but the number of threads increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ligament structure into distinct functional zones: a first intra-osseous end portion with bonded threads for fixation, a second intra-osseous end portion forming a loop, and a median intra-articular portion with free threads. This segmentation allows optimization of thread configuration in each zone, reducing overall complexity while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by bonding technical threads only in the first intra-osseous end portion where fixation is needed, while leaving threads free in the median intra-articular portion to reduce complexity and improve tissue colonization. This localized bonding approach optimizes strength where required while minimizing complexity elsewhere
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ligament design is used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the ligament is not suitable for transverse fixation technique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic loop structure in the second intra-osseous end portion that can accommodate transverse fixation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic folding and bonding processes. The loop configuration allows adaptation to transverse fixation geometry without overly complicating production
Data Source
Figure 1~2D
AI summary
Prosthetic ligament (11) for replacing a natural articular ligament, comprising a first intraosseous end part (12), called the tibial end part, and a second intraosseous end part (12'), called the femoral end part, the two intraosseous end parts (12, 12') surrounding an intraarticular central part (13), characterized in that the first intraosseous end part (12) is in the form of two cylindrical strands (12a, 12b), and in that the second intraosseous end part (12') forms a loop connected to the first intraosseous end part (12) via the intraarticular central part (13), which is composed of at least two bundles (13a, 13b) of technical filaments, each of the bundles (13a, 13b) being connected to the first intraosseous end part (12) at one of its ends and to the second intraosseous end part (12') at the other of its ends.