The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 07, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 27, 2001
Kevin A. Mansmann, Paoli, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A device for surgical implantation to replace damaged tissue in a joint (such as a meniscus in a knee) is created from a hydrogel that is reinforced by a three-dimensional flexible fibrous mesh. In a meniscal implant, the mesh is exposed at one or more locations around the periphery, to provide anchoring attachments that can be sutured, pinned, or otherwise securely affixed to tissue that surrounds the implant. The fibrous mesh should extend throughout most of the thickness of the hydrogel, to create an “interpenetrating network” (IPN) of fibers modelled after certain types of natural body tissues. Articulating surfaces which will rub and slide against cartilage should be coated with a hydrogel layer that is completely smooth and nonabrasive, and made of a material that remains constantly wet. This composite structure provides a meniscal implant with improved strength, performance, and wettability compared to implants of the prior art. This type of implant may also be useful in repairing other joints, such as shoulders, wrists, ankles, or elbows, and in repairing injured or diseased hands, fingers, feet, or toes.