Loop

Inventors

Beyer, Sarah • Jessup, Mark • Azuero, Ivan

Assignees

Atex Technologies Inc

Abstract

A continuous loop of material for use in mammals, particularly humans. One embodiment may have an air entanglement section therein and method of making the same. Another embodiment includes a hollow braided length having a first inner section and a second inner section, the sections formed by radially inserting the ends into the hollow braid and passing it along a portion of the hollow interior. These embodiments may also include a bone engagement member incorporated therein. A further embodiment is a loop assembly having a length of fiber, the length of fiber having two ends, and a bone engagement member having an end receiving member to securely receive the two respective ends therein.

Core Innovation

Discloses continuous implantable loop structures for mammals, especially humans, aimed at avoiding knots, joints, and cheese slicing. The disclosure includes continuous implantable loop structures that are formed to be smooth and knot-free while engaging mammalian tissues such as ligament or tendon.

A first implementation uses fluid or high-pressure fluid, including high-pressure air, to create an entangled fiber loop. This implementation includes an air-entangled section and optionally multiple air-entangled sections using a manifold that supplies air radially inward, radially outward, and/or axially, in combination with a bone attachment device having openings.

A second implementation uses a continuous braided-loop assembly that includes a tubular braid with a hollow inner core and a radial entry point. The assembly is created by passing a first braided end radially inward and moving it in a first direction along a portion of the hollow inner core, and passing a second braided end radially inward and moving it in a second direction along a portion of the hollow inner core so that the ends abut, producing a smooth knot-free loop. The disclosure further includes loop assemblies incorporating an elongate bone engagement member and an end receiving and crimping sleeve that receives and secures the loop ends.

Claims Coverage

The disclosed inventive subject matter in the provided independent claim covers creating a continuous braided loop using a tubular braid with a hollow inner surface and a radial entry point, by moving first and second ends along opposite portions in corresponding directions to produce a continuous configuration.

Across the independent claim coverage provided, the core inventive concept is the use of a radial entry point on a tubular braid and the inward passing and directional movement of first and second ends along the hollow inner surface to create a continuous braided loop.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications