Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder joint injuries. There are multiple options to help repair a rotator cuff injury depending on the severity. Smaller tears can be managed non-operatively; however, larger injuries require surgical reconstruction to restore arm function. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 50,000 surgeries completed every year. Tissue allografts are a common surgical technique utilized to repair tendon damage and fully restore function to the shoulder. However, without proper site preparation for the allograft site, failure rates of surgery can range from 20% to 70% leading to increased discomfort and additional surgeries later in life.
This invention, from researchers at the University of Missouri, is an FDA-approved biomaterial used for rotator cuff repair/allograft site design as well as an improved surgery method that could increase surgery success rates.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION
- Rotator cuff surgical repair
- Rotator cuff reconstruction
MAIN ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION
- Novel design
- Effective, efficient, and convenient method for allograft design
- Increased strength, structure and function of repaired rotator cuff
- Can replace missing or damaged tissue
- Decreased failure rates
STATE OF DEVELOPMENT: Completion of prototype