ABSORBABLE TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR TISSUES SUCH AS LIGAMENTS

Abstract

There is described an absorbable device (1) for the connection and reconstruction of a ligament, comprising a central reconstruction portion (9) and two connecting 5 ends (10a, 10b) at the two ends of said central portion (9), characterized in that in said connecting device, said two connecting ends (10a, 10b) comprise two retaining portions (11a, 11b), respectively, for receiving fixing means adapted to fix said device (1) to said ligament.

Claims

1. An absorbable device (1) for the connection and reconstruction of a ligament, comprising a central reconstruction portion (9) and two connecting ends (10a, 10b) at the two ends of said central portion (9), characterized in that said two connecting ends (10a, 10b) comprise two retaining portions (11a, 11b), respectively, for receiving fixing means adapted to fix said device (1) to said ligament.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said central portion (9), said two connecting ends (10a, 10b) and said two retaining portions (11a, 11b) are made of polyglycolic acid.

3. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said two connecting ends (10a, 10b) have cross-section greater than said central portion (9).

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said two connecting ends (10a, 10b) have a rounded shape.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said central portion (9) is a circular-base prism.

6. A device according to claims 1 to 5, wherein said central portion (9) is a hollow cylinder.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said central portion (9) has a diameter in the range from 1 to 15 mm.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said central portion (9) has a length in the range from 5 to 45 mm.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0011] The technical features of the present invention as well as advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description to be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a tissue reconstruction device according to the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a tissue device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following description and the accompanying drawings are intended for illustrative purposes and therefore they do not limit the present invention, which may be implemented according to other and different embodiments; moreover, it is worth noting that these figures are diagrammatic and simplified.

[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a device of the absorbable type for the connection and reconstruction of ligaments according to the present invention. The term absorbable means a device to be installed at a damaged ligament to allow the physiological tissue reconstruction thereof. The device is absorbed by the tissues together with the tissue reconstruction after a predetermined period of time.

[0016] Such a device can be applied to a single ligament (e.g. the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint) or to a group of ligaments (e.g. the rotator cuff of the shoulder).

[0017] Device 1 comprises a central reconstruction portion 9 and two connecting ends 10a, 10b at the two ends of the central portion 9. The two connecting ends 10a, 10b comprise two retaining portions 11a, 11b respectively, for receiving fixing means adapted to fix the device 1 to the ligament.

[0018] It is worth noting that the ends 10a and 10b have a general stiffness in order to receive the fixing means which is greater than that of the central portion 9. Thereby, said fixing means, known per se, which comprise either absorbable or non-absorbable staples, anchors or synthesis screws, are applied to the ends 10a and 10b. Their configuration, in particular their stiffness, allows the fixing means to be retained stably until they are completely physiologically reabsorbed. This situation is particularly advantageous: the fixing means stably retained until their reabsorption ensure that device 1 is in turn in a predetermined position until it is reabsorbed. A proper tissue reconstruction of the ligament for which device 1 is intended is thus ensured.

[0019] The tissue reconstruction of the ligament for which device 1 is intended takes place on the central portion 9 and on ends 10a and 10b.

[0020] In use, the device is placed in a predetermined reconstruction position according to anatomical constraints and to the extent of the ligament portion to be reconstructed. It is therefore essential, for a successful reconstruction of the ligament, that the device remains in such a position for the entire duration of the reconstruction process.

[0021] To this end, the two connecting portions 10a, 10b are configured to receive the fixing means stably after the operations aimed to place it in its reconstruction position. In this first condition, the device has such a structure as to favor the tissue regrowth.

[0022] Thereafter, the physiological reconstruction process absorbs the fixing means and the device 1 itself. The ligament (or ligaments in the case of a bundle of ligaments for which a device according to the present invention is to be used) under reconstruction has its tissue regrowth from the ends 10a and 10b to continue then on the central portion 9 of the device.

[0023] In this second condition, the device has such a structure as to support the tissue regrowth, and in particular up to its complete reconstruction.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, device 1, i.e. the central portion 9, the connecting ends 10a, 10b and the two connecting portions 11a and 11b are made of polyglycolic acid (also known as PGA).

[0025] As seen in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the device, the two connecting ends of 10a, 10b have a cross-section which is greater than that of the central portion 9.

[0026] According to a further embodiment (shown in FIG. 1), the connecting ends have a rounded shape.

[0027] Preferably, the central portion 9 of a device according to the present invention is a circular-base prism. Of course, different shapes are suitable to implement the section of the central portion 9, they may be evaluated from time to time in the light of the structural constraints to be met.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the central portion 9 is a hollow cylinder. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the central portion 9 is a solid cylinder.

[0029] The dimensions of the central portion 9 are devised to fit any size of ligaments for which the device is intended. Such a portion has a diameter from 1 to 15 mm; a length from 5 to 45 mm.

[0030] Moreover, the connecting portions 10a, 10b are fixed to the central portion, respectively, overlapping by at least 1.5 cm said central portion 9.