Tendon stretching mechanism

Abstract

A tendon stretching mechanism which engages the torn tendon using sutures. A second end of the sutures is exposed through the skin. Using a tensioning mechanism, a selectively pull is applied to the second end of the sutures to gradually stretch the tendon. This stretching of the tendon may take a week or more or until the tendon has been sufficiently elongated for reattachment to the bone. The tensioning mechanism is either manually operated or is automatic.

Claims

1. A tendon stretching mechanism comprising: a) an engagement mechanism configured to be secured to a tendon, said engagement mechanism having multiple sutures extending from the tendon and exiting through an incision; and, b) a tensioning mechanism grasping the multiple sutures external to the body, said tensioning mechanism adapted to selectively pull, as defined by a user over an extended period of time, the multiple sutures.

2. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said engagement mechanism is secured to a width of the tendon.

3. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 2, further including a base unit supporting the tensioning mechanism, said base unit having a hole through which the multiple sutures extend to the tensioning mechanism.

4. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the base unit includes at least one cushion interposed between the base unit and skin of the patient.

5. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes an operator activated handle adapted to adjust tension being applied by the tensioning mechanism against the multiple sutures.

6. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes an operator activated push button adapted to adjust tension being applied by the tensioning mechanism against the multiple sutures.

7. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a limiting mechanism adapted to maintain a tension of the multiple sutures below a selected level.

8. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the selected level is five pounds.

9. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 7, further including an audible indicator when the selected level has been reached.

10. A tendon stretching mechanism comprising: a) multiple sutures secured to a tendon at a first end, a second end of the multiple sutures extending through an incision from a patient's body; and, b) a patient operated tensioning mechanism secured to the second end of the multiple sutures, said patient operated tensioning mechanism selectively applying a pull on the second end of the multiple sutures.

11. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the first ends of the multiple sutures extend the width of the tendon.

12. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 11, further including: a) a base unit supporting the tensioning mechanism, said base unit having a hole therein through which the second end of the multiple sutures extend to the tensioning mechanism; and, b) a cushion interposed between the base unit and skin of the patient.

13. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 10, a) wherein the patient operated tensioning mechanism includes an operator activated handle adapted to adjust tension along the multiple sutures; and being applied by the tensioning mechanism against the multiple sutures; and, b) a limiting mechanism contained within the patient operated tensioning mechanism configured to maintain tension of the multiple sutures below a selected level.

14. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the selected level is five pounds.

15. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 13, further including an audible indicator when the selected level has been reached.

16. A tendon stretching mechanism comprising: a) multiple sutures, a first end of the multiple sutures secured to a tendon, a second end of the multiple sutures extending through an incision from a patient's body; b) a base unit positioned on the skin of the patient around the incision, said base unit having multiple cushions interposed between the base unit and the skin of the patient; c) a tensioning mechanism mounted on the base unit and secured to the second end of the multiple sutures, said tensioning mechanism applying a selected pull on the multiple sutures.

17. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the first ends of the multiple sutures extend the width of the tendon.

18. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 17, a) wherein the tensioning mechanism is patient operated and includes an operator activated button adapted to adjust tension along the multiple sutures; and, b) a limiting mechanism contained within the patient operated tensioning mechanism configured to maintain tension of the multiple sutures below a selected level.

19. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 18, further including an audible indicator when the selected level has been reached.

20. The tendon stretching mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the tensioning mechanism automatically maintains a selected pull on the second end of the multiple sutures.

Description

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates the attachment to the torn tendon and then passing through the skin.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of the sutures onto the torn tendon.

[0034] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the placement of the tensioning mechanism onto the patient.

[0035] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, illustrate various embodiments for patient application of the tension onto the torn tendon.

[0036] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two different embodiments highlighting the attachment of the sutures to the tensioning mechanism.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates the attachment to the torn tendon and then passing through the skin.

[0038] In this illustration, tendon 10 has been torn from bone 12 and has contracted sufficiently so that it cannot be readily reattached without possible further tearing of tendon 10. The first step is to secure the end of tendon 10 with multiple sutures 11.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of the sutures onto the torn tendon.

[0040] Sutures 11A are attached to the entire (or substantially the entire) width of the torn end of tendon 10A. This arrangement assures that when the apparatus of this invention is used to lengthen tendon 10A, the entire width is later available for reattachment to bone 12.

[0041] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the placement of the tensioning mechanism onto the patient.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3A, the ends of sutures 11B extend through the skin of the patient and are addressable by tensioning mechanism 30A as illustrated by arrows 31.

[0043] Once tensioning mechanism 30B is secure to the skin of the patient (with the sutures firmly attached thereto as will be explained later), proper tensioning of the sutures 11B may begin allowing the tendon to be gradually elongated.

[0044] Interposed between tensioning mechanism 30B and the skin of the patient, gel pads are provided to reduce pressure to the skin while the tension in the sutures is being gradually increased.

[0045] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, illustrate various embodiments for patient application of the tension onto the torn tendon.

[0046] Tensioning mechanism 30C, shown in FIG. 4A, has a center receptacle 41A which accepts handle 42 as indicated by arrow 44A. Handle 42 is used by patient to provide tensioning to the sutures, not shown.

[0047] The tensioning mechanisms are ideally smooth so that they do not “catch” or “snag” on clothing of the patient. The tensioning mechanism is to be worn for an extended period of time until the tendon has been stretched to the desired length, often three to five centimeters.

[0048] The embodiment of FIG. 4A allows the handle 42 to be removed and only used when tension is to be applied.

[0049] FIG. 4B uses an attached handle 43 which swivels, as indicated by arrows 44B upward to allow rotation as indicated by arrow 44B. This rotation of handle 43 also rotates the center mechanism 41B of the tensioning mechanism 30D. When not in use, handle 43 lays flat against the upper surface of tensioning mechanism 30D.

[0050] A handless embodiment is shown in FIG. 4C which allows patient 45 to press center button 41C of tensioning mechanism 30E. This pressure causes the tensioning of the tendon. In some embodiments, an electric motor or a wound spring is used to drive the tensioning mechanism in response to activation of the button 41C.

[0051] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two different embodiments highlighting the attachment of the sutures to the tensioning mechanism.

[0052] Referencing FIG. 5A, in this embodiment, tensioning mechanism 30F is addressed by the patient using handle 52 which engages with a top receptacle 57 and is rotated as indicated by arrow 54A. Gauge 53, secured to the top of handle 52, provides feed back to the patient as to the amount of tension being applied. Gauge 53 helps to prevent over tensioning of the tendon.

[0053] Sutures 11C are fed into the tensioning mechanism around guide 51A to be inserted through pin 50A connected to top receptacle 57. As handle 52 is rotated, sutures 11C are wound around pin 50A to provide the desired tension on the tendon (not shown).

[0054] FIG. 5B uses a pressure 54B provide by the patient 55 which presses downward on button 57B. This pressure interacts with gear 58 to cause pin 50B to rotate, drawing sutures 11D onto pin 50B after the sutures 11D have passed by guide 51B.

[0055] It is clear that the present invention provides a safe and effective mechanism for the elongation of a tendon prior to reattachment.