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Kurtaliaj I, Hoppe ED, Huang Y, Ju D, Sandler JA, Yoon D, Smith LJ, Betancur ST, Effiong L, Gardner T, Tedesco L, Desai S, Birman V, Levine WN, Genin GM, Thomopoulos S. Python tooth-inspired fixation device for enhanced rotator cuff repair. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl5270. [PMID: 38941456 PMCID: PMC11212709 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl5270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Rotator cuff repair surgeries fail frequently, with 20 to 94% of the 600,000 repairs performed annually in the United States resulting in retearing of the rotator cuff. The most common cause of failure is sutures tearing through tendons at grasping points. To address this issue, we drew inspiration from the specialized teeth of snakes of the Pythonoidea superfamily, which grasp soft tissues without tearing. To apply this nondamaging gripping approach to the surgical repair of tendon, we developed and optimized a python tooth-inspired device as an adjunct to current rotator cuff suture repair and found that it nearly doubled repair strength. Integrated simulations, 3D printing, and ex vivo experiments revealed a relationship between tooth shape and grasping mechanics, enabling optimization of the clinically relevant device that substantially enhances rotator cuff repair by distributing stresses over the attachment footprint. This approach suggests an alternative to traditional suturing paradigms and may reduce the risk of tendon retearing after rotator cuff repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iden Kurtaliaj
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ethan D. Hoppe
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Yuxuan Huang
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - David Ju
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Jacob A. Sandler
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Donghwan Yoon
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Lester J. Smith
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | | | - Linda Effiong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Koru Medical Systems, Mahwah, NJ 07430, USA
| | - Thomas Gardner
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Liana Tedesco
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sohil Desai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Victor Birman
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, St. Louis, MO 65409, USA
| | - William N. Levine
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Guy M. Genin
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Stavros Thomopoulos
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Leek CC, Soulas JM, Sullivan AL, Killian ML. Using tools in mechanobiology to repair tendons. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 1:31-40. [PMID: 33585822 DOI: 10.1007/s43152-020-00005-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to describe the mechanobiological mechanisms of tendon repair as well as outline current and emerging tools in mechanobiology that might be useful for improving tendon healing and regeneration. Over 30 million musculoskeletal injuries are reported in the US per year and nearly 50% involve soft tissue injuries to tendons and ligaments. Yet current therapeutic strategies for treating tendon injuries are not always successful in regenerating and returning function of the healing tendon. Recent findings The use of rehabilitative strategies to control the motion and transmission of mechanical loads to repairing tendons following surgical reattachment is beneficial for some, but not all, tendon repairs. Scaffolds that are designed to recapitulate properties of developing tissues show potential to guide the mechanical and biological healing of tendon following rupture. The incorporation of biomaterials to control alignment and reintegration, as well as promote scar-less healing, are also promising. Improving our understanding of damage thresholds for resident cells and how these cells respond to bioelectrical cues may offer promising steps forward in the field of tendon regeneration. Summary The field of orthopaedics continues to advance and improve with the development of regenerative approaches for musculoskeletal injuries, especially for tendon, and deeper exploration in this area will lead to improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor C Leek
- College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 5 Innovation Way, Suite 200, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Jaclyn M Soulas
- College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 5 Innovation Way, Suite 200, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716.,College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Biosciences, 531 South College Avenue, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Anna Lia Sullivan
- College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 5 Innovation Way, Suite 200, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716.,College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Biosciences, 531 South College Avenue, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Megan L Killian
- College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 5 Innovation Way, Suite 200, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716.,College of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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