Development of biomimetical composite prosthetic ligaments using mechanically dissimilar materials

Using high performance textile materials and novel designs, structures were developed which have the potential for mimicking the properties of natural anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs). Six tubular braided structures capable of withstanding the loads encountered by ACL, were built. Elastomeric materials were incorporated as cores in order to give the devices the ability to recover from strains. Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the devices were evaluated It was shown that the behavior of the devices at lower (physiological) loads was determined by the core material, while the behavior at high loads was determined by the braided sheath material. A comparison of the properties of the structures with those of the natural ACL showed that the appropriate load bearing, linear modulus and strain hardening behaviors had been realized; however, further work was needed to mimic the extensibility properties.