Development of a soft tissue stabilization plate

The purpose of this study was to develop a soft tissue reattachment device capable of sustaining normal physiological loads during healing of soft tissue bony insertions. Clinical applications of this device include stabilization of tissues that have been resected or damaged as a result of trauma. More specifically this study focused upon stabilization of the tibial tuberosity following total knee arthroplasty. Five mechanical tests in addition to a biological test involving cellular response were conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of the device. Mechanical tests included bending fatigue testing from `20 to `200N at 40Hz, torsion to failure at 1
^o
/s, as well as cantilever bending and shear to failure at 25mm/min. The device sustained a static shear load of XXXN and is compared to tibial tuberosity failure loads cited in the literature [458.2N]. [1] Ultimate rotation and bending of the device was found to be XX degrees and XX mm, respectively. These values exceed those found in normal physiological loading. The device maintained mechanical integrity and functionality in fatigue up to 1 million cycles. The biologic simulation test was completed under sterile conditions and employed the use of 3T3-Swiss albino fibroblasts. The results yielded that the unique use of porosity holes aided in cell in-growth. The in-growth, coupled with the mechanical performance of the device, provides an effective technique for tuberosity fixation and post surgical healing.