Graft Tensioning Device
A graft tensioning device comprising a basin capable of containing a fluid, a heating element capable of heating the fluid to an appropriate temperature, a tray disposed within the basin, and a graft holding fixture for maintaining a tissue graft in tension, permanently or removably secured to the tray, wherein the graft holding fixture and tissue graft may be submersed within the fluid. The device may further comprise a base, a shelf and/or a cover. The device may be reusable, disposable or some combination thereof.
1 . A device for conditioning tissue grafts, comprising:
a basin;
a heating element; and
a graft holding fixture.
2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the basin contains a fluid.
3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the heating element is submersible.
4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a temperature control device.
5 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a tray disposed within the basin.
6 . The device according to claim 5 , wherein the tray is perforated.
7 . The device according to claim 5 , wherein the device further comprises an apparatus for removing the tray from the basin.
8 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the graft holding fixture further comprises a graft hook and a graft tensioner.
9 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein both the graft hook and the graft tensioner further comprise a base, a graft securing element and an attachment mechanism.
10 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the distance between the graft hook and the graft tensioner is adjustable to account for varying lengths and sizes of graft.
11 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the graft tensioner further comprises a means for applying tension to the graft.
12 . The device according to claim 8 , wherein the graft tensioner further comprises a linear elastic element.
13 . The device according to claim 12 , wherein the linear elastic element is color coded to indicate its elastic properties.
14 . The device according to claim 7 , wherein the graft tensioner further comprises a gravity based system.
15 . The device according to claim 14 , wherein the gravity based system comprises a weight.
16 . The device according to claim 15 , wherein the gravity based system further comprises a cable.
17 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the gravity based system further comprises a pulley.
18 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a base.
19 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more tube sizers.
20 . A graft holding fixture, comprising:
a graft hook;
a graft tensioner; and
means for submersing the graft holding fixture in fluid.
21 . The fixture of claim 20 , wherein the graft tensioner further comprises a means for applying tension to the graft.
22 . The fixture of claim 20 , further comprising a means for accounting for various lengths and sizes of graft.
23 . A graft conditioning device, comprising:
a basin for containing a fluid;
a heating element; and
a means for maintaining a tissue graft in tension;
wherein the means for maintaining a tissue graft in tension is submersible in the fluid.
24 . The device according to claim 23 , wherein the means for maintaining a tissue graft in tension comprises one or more graft securing elements, and at least one tensioning component.
25 . The device according to claim 23 , further comprising a tray.
26 . A device for conditioning a graft, comprising:
a basin for containing a fluid;
a graft hook further comprising a graft securing element; and
a graft tensioner further comprising a graft securing element and a tensioning component; and
wherein the position of at least one of the graft tensioner and the graft hook is adjustable to account for varying shapes and sizes of graft.
27 . The device of claim 26 , further comprising a tray.
28 . The device of claim 26 , further comprising a submersible heating element.
29 . The device of claim 28 , wherein the submersible heating element further comprises a temperature control device.
30 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the fluid is a preheated fluid.
31 . A method of conditioning a tissue graft prior to implantation, comprising:
using a basin filled with warm fluid;
securing a tissue graft to a graft hook;
securing the tissue graft to a graft tensioner; and
submersing the tissue graft in warm fluid.
32 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
selecting a linear elastic component; and
securing the linear elastic component to the graft tensioner.
33 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
selecting a weight; and
securing the weight to the device such that the weight applies tension to the tissue graft.
34 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
placing a tube sizer around the tissue graft before submersing the tissue graft in warm fluid.