Abstract: The invention provides a multipurpose tissue graft apparatus for preparing a tissue graft for use in ligament and tendon reconstruction surgery. The multipurpose tissue graft apparatus includes a base configured for holding of the tissue graft. A first arm is pivotably mounted on the base and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A second arm is detachably mounted between the base and the first arm. The second arm is configured to form a hollow chamber having a closed end and an open end. The open end is configured to form an extended blade and is also provided with a recess for enabling collection of the muscles scrapped by the blade in the hollow chamber. A roller is detachably mounted on the second arm proximal to the blade for smoothening of the muscles of the tissue graft. The bottom surface of the first arm on its distal end is configured to mount an array of needles in a predefined pattern for affixing sutures on the tissue graft.
We Claim:
1. A multipurpose tissue graft apparatus for preparing a tissue graft, the apparatus comprising:
a base configured for holding the tissue graft;
a first arm pivotably mounted on the base, the first arm having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface configured to mount an array of needles;
a second arm detachably mounted between the base and the first arm, the second arm configured to form a hollow chamber having a closed end and an open end, the open end configured to form an extended blade; and
a roller detachably mounted on the second arm proximal to the blade for smoothening of the muscles of the tissue graft.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open end is also provided with a recess for enabling collection of the muscles scrapped off from the tissue graft.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the roller is larger than the height of the blade to enable smoothening of the muscles of the tissue graft by the roller without allowing the blade to come in contact with the tissue graft.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein the roller is configured to roll over the tissue graft for smoothening of
the muscles of the tissue graft when the first arm is moved in relation to the base.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade is a flat blunt blade and is configured for scraping off the muscles from the tissue graft.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade scrapes off the muscles from the tissue graft when the detachable roller is detached.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade scrapes off the muscles from the tissue graft when the first arm is moved in relation to the base thereby bringing the blade proximal to the tissue graft while the tissue graft is pulled out of the apparatus.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber is configured for collecting the muscles scrapped from the tissue graft by the blade.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array of needles are mounted in a predefined pattern on a distal end of the bottom surface of the first arm wherein the array of needles are configured for affixing sutures to the tissue graft.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array of needles affix the suture on the tissue graft when the second arm and the roller are detached from the apparatus.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array of needles affix the sutures to the tissue graft when the first arm is moved in relation to the base.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform flattening of the tissue graft, smoothening of muscles of the tissue graft, scrapping of muscles from the tissue graft, affixing sutures on the tissue graft and further augmenting the sutures affixed on the tissue graft.