Method for fixing traction threads to ends of a prosthetic ligament

1. A process for the creation of a prosthetic ligament ( 1 ) for the replacement of a natural articular ligament, with an overall cylindrical shape, and that includes an intra-articular middle part ( 3 ) between two intra-osseous end parts ( 2 ), where this process includes a stage for winding or folding a web of synthetic polymer fibres onto itself, followed by a stage for fitting a traction thread ( 5 ) to each of the ends ( 4 )of the ligament ( 1 ), and then a stage for installation of a ferrule ( 6 ) on the ends ( 5 ) characterized in that the installation of the ferrule ( 6 ) consists of making a radial ligature ( 60 ) of the ligament ( 1 ) equipped with its traction threads ( 5 ) with a ligature thread ( 7 ).

2. A process according to claim 1 , characterized in that the fitting of the traction thread ( 5 ) is effected according to the following sequence:

take a traction thread ( 5 ) and form a loop ( 50 ) without crossing the strands around the ligament ( 1 ) and position it around the ligament, at a certain distance from one end ( 4 ) of the latter;

in diametric opposition on the loop ( 50 ), insert the two free strands ( 51 , 52 ) of the traction thread ( 5 ) into the thickness of the ligament ( 1 ) and draw them toward the end ( 4 ) concerned, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ligament ( 1 ) toward the outside;

make a twist in the loop ( 50 ) so as to form a figure of eight whose base is anchored in the ligament ( 1 ) and pass the end ( 4 ) of the ligament ( 1 ) with the free strands ( 51 , 52 ) of the traction thread ( 5 ) into the second loop ( 53 ), that is to say into the small part of the figure of eight;

bring the two loops ( 50 , 53 ) to the point of introduction of the free strands ( 51 , 52 ) into the ligament ( 1 );

tighten by pulling on the strands ( 51 , 52 ) of the traction thread ( 5 ).

3. A process according to claim 1 , characterized in that after the fitting of the traction thread ( 5 ), at least one end stitch is formed on the section of the ligament ( 1 ) into which the two strands ( 51 , 52 ) of the traction thread ( 5 ) pass.

4. A process according to claim 1 , characterized in that the ligature ( 60 ) is created in accordance to the following sequence:

with a ligature thread ( 7 ), form an extended loop ( 70 ) and position it onto the ligament ( 1 ) which is laid flat, with the two strands of the thread ( 7 ) being parallel to the ligament ( 1 ) and emerging at the end ( 4 ) of the ligament ( 1 ) at which the ferrule ( 6 ) is positioned,

hold the loop ( 70 ) firmly against the ligament ( 1 ),

take one of the strands, which becomes the running strand ( 71 ), and simultaneously wind it around the ligament ( 1 ), around the dormant strand ( 72 ) and around the loop ( 70 ), starting from the end ( 4 ) of the ligament and moving in the direction of the intra-articular middle part ( 3 ), forming carefully adjacent turns,

pass the running strand ( 71 ) into the loop ( 70 ),

tighten hard by pulling on the dormant strand ( 72 ) and the running strand ( 71 ), taking care to keep the turns adjacent,

cut the two strands ( 71 , 72 ) flush with the ligature.

5. A process according to claim 1 , characterized in that the ligature thread ( 7 ) is chosen in the same material as that of the synthetic fibres constituting the web.

6. A ligament ( 1 ) for the replacement of a natural articular ligament, with an overall cylindrical shape and that includes an intra-articular middle part ( 3 ) between two intra-osseous end parts ( 2 ), equipped with traction threads ( 5 ) at its ends ( 4 ) which are capped by a ferrule ( 6 ), characterized in that this is achieved by implementation of the process according to claim 1 .

7. A process according to claim 2 , characterized in that after the fitting of the traction thread ( 5 ), at least one end stitch is formed on the section of the ligament ( 1 ) into which the two strands ( 51 , 52 ) of the traction thread ( 5 ) pass.