Tensioning Tool for Flexible Materials
Background
This tool can securely hold flexible materials, like tendons or ligaments, under accurate tension while affixing the material.
Technology Description
Engineers or surgeons often need to mount a flexible length of material on a surface. Flexible lengths of material can include wires, cables, ropes, or soft connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. After applying a specific amount of tension to a flexible material it can often be difficult to hold the material at that tension while simultaneously mounting it on a surface. In many settings, even a minor departure from the desired tension can have detrimental effects.
For example, it is common in many medical settings, such as research, surgery, etc., for a flexible length of material, such as a tendon to have a specific tension applied to it before it is used. One specific example is in the research setting where researchers need to apply a specific load on a tendon to be studied, such as in an ex vivo bioreactor system. Furthermore, these applications often require high throughput with a low tolerance for deviations or errors between samples. Personnel working in the above settings need to be sure that the material they are working with is under the appropriate tension. This technology can ensure that the tensioning process goes smoothly.
This technology is an apparatus for applying tension to flexible lengths of material, such as tendons or ligaments. This apparatus enables the user to pick up a flexible length of material, apply a specified tension, accurately and securely hold the material at that tension, and then mount the material on a surface while maintaining or substantially maintaining (e.g., depending on the material’s elasticity) the applied tension.
Benefits
- Made entirely of materials compatible with common sterilization techniques (autoclave, radiation, chemical, etc.)
- Can use a spring scale or a digital scale for accurate tensioning
- Usable with a wide range of materials
Applications
- Medical research
- Biomedical engineering
- Robotic surgery
- Electronics assembly
Opportunity
OSU is seeking development and commercialization partners.
Status
This technology has been tested and validated in the laboratory environment, including use with cadavers and animal models.
Patent application submitted 19/048,616