| 摘要 |
<p>A bioabsorbable tissue augmentation device (10) designed to be used in parallel with biological connective tissue, such as a ligament or tendon, in the repair or reconstruction of biological connective tissue. The device (10) comprises a strap-like element (10) formed of a biocompatible material initially having sufficient mechanical properties at the time of implantation to support at least the working loads normally supported by the biological connective tissue being repaired or reconstructed. The strap-like element (10) comprises a braided structure (10) formed by braiding a plurality of yarns (12, 14), each of which has been formed by twisting together a plurality of fibers (16) to form the yarn (12, 14) with a twist rate of between about 20 and 150 turns per meter. The fibers (16) are formed of polylactic acid, preferably substantially enantiomerically pure poly-L-lactic acid. The strap-like element (10) is adapted for fixation at the ends thereof to biological connective tissue and/or the anatomical structures connected by the biological connective tissue, and the strap-like element (10) is adapted to gradually lose its load-bearing capability after implantation thereby gradually transferring increased loads to biological connective tissue.</p> |
