Implantable device

Abstract

An implantable device for aiding in generating connective tissue between a pair of anatomical structures in a mammalian body is provided. The device includes an elongate, flexible tether which can be secured between the anatomical structures and which carries a scaffold which is generally porous so as to be capable of promoting tissue ingrowth and collagen deposition along its length. The scaffold extends along the tether for a sufficient distance so that it is securable in at least close proximity to an anatomical structure at either end. The pores in the scaffold extend through the scaffold and each has a diameter in the range of about 10 μm to about 200 μm. The length of the tether is selected to be a desirable maximum distance between the anatomical structures along a desired path when secured therebetween.

1 . An implantable device for aiding in generating connective tissue between a pair of anatomical structures in a mammalian body including an elongate, flexible tether which can be secured between the anatomical structures and which carries a scaffold which is generally porous so as to be capable of promoting tissue ingrowth and collagen deposition along its length, the scaffold extending along the tether for sufficient distance that it is securable in at least close proximity to an anatomical structure at either end, and wherein the length of the tether is selected to be a desirable maximum distance between the anatomical structures along a desired path when secured therebetween, characterised in that the pores extend through the scaffold and each have a diameter of about 10 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         2 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 1  in which the pores each have a diameter of about 100 μm to 150 μm. 
     
     
         3 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2  in which the scaffold is sleeve-like and extends over the tether. 
     
     
         4 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 3  in which the scaffold is tubular. 
     
     
         5 . An implantable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the tether is absorbable. 
     
     
         6 . An implantable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the tether is provided by a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         7 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 6  in which the filaments are made of suture material. 
     
     
         8 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 6  or  claim 7  in which each end of tether is securable to an anatomical structure through one or more loops shaped to receive a fixation screw, or a suturing needle secured to the end of each filament, or a combination of these. 
     
     
         9 . An implantable device suitable for aiding in generating connective tissue between the base of a tongue and a chin in a mammalian body and shaped to be securable at its ends between the base of the tongue and the chin, the device including an elongate and flexible tether with a tensile strength sufficient to advance the base of the tongue towards the chin and maintain it in such position, and characterised in that the tether is made of an absorbable material and in that a sleeve-like scaffold which is generally porous so as to be capable of promoting tissue ingrowth and collagen deposition along its length is provided over the tether, the scaffold extending along the tether for a sufficient distance so that it is securable in at least close proximity to the base of the tongue and chin at either end. 
     
     
         10 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 9  in which the pores extend through the scaffold and each have a diameter of about 10 μm to 200 μm. 
     
     
         11 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 10  in which the pores extend through the scaffold and each have a diameter of about 125 μm to 180 μm. 
     
     
         12 . An implantable device as claimed in any one  claims 9  to  11  in which the tether is provided by a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         13 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 12  in which the filaments are made of suture material. 
     
     
         14 . An implantable device as claimed in  claim 12  or  claim 13  in which a suturing needle is secured to each filament at one end of the tether and the filaments at the opposite end shaped to provide one or more loops, the or each loop shaped to receive a fixation screw. 
     
     
         15 . An implantable device as claimed in any one of  claim 9  to  claim 14  in which the scaffold is tubular with an internal diameter of about 2 mm and a thickness of about 0.5 mm.