Adjustable Knee Ligament Fixator

The need for a technique that allows post-fixation graft re-tensioning after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is indicated by clinical observations of excessive anterior laxity in the immediate and early postoperative period in some people who undergo knee surgery. This may occur in cases where grafts are secured in both the femur and tibia by interference screws. The causes may include viscoelastic graft stretching and fixation failure. Soft tissue grafts may also slip past their fixation under cyclic loading. In addition, it is possible that there will be inadequate graft tension at the end of the surgical procedure for technical reasons such as inadequate tibial reduction during graft fixation.

There exists a need for a technique that allows graft re-tensioning without undoing the femoral or tibial fixation, i.e. a solution that avoids a revision procedure. Re-tensioning procedures always involves a revision of graft fixation. During removal and replacement of interference screws, the graft may become damaged. As a consequence, excessive antero-posterior laxity is often accepted so as to avoid ACL revision. Ideally, a graft re-tensioning procedure should be simple, extra-articular and have minimal or no effect on graft integrity.

Research has led to the invention of a novel anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) fixation device which can be used to retighten a slack ACL graft after reconstruction surgery. This device facilitates ACL retightening without undoing the femoral or tibial fixation and so a revision can be avoided. The device is minimally invasive, extra-articular and also minimizes graft strain or damage at the anchor interface.

Patent Status
A patent has been filed and the owner is seeking partners for further development and licensing.

Case 2532

Type of Offer: Licensing



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