Microfracture apparatuses and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end;
a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm;
a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; and
an enlarged head coupled to the penetrator;
where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and
where;
the cannula includes a handle,the penetrator removal tab has a body extending between a body first end and a body second end, the body defining an opening that has at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the enlarged head, andthe penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the enlarged head with the penetrator extending through the opening such that when the body second end of the penetrator removal tab is pivoted towards the second end of the cannula, the distal end of the penetrator withdraws in a longitudinal direction of a portion of the channel towards the first end of the cannula.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.
118 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end; a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm; a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; and an enlarged head coupled to the penetrator; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and where; the cannula includes a handle, the penetrator removal tab has a body extending between a body first end and a body second end, the body defining an opening that has at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the enlarged head, and the penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the enlarged head with the penetrator extending through the opening such that when the body second end of the penetrator removal tab is pivoted towards the second end of the cannula, the distal end of the penetrator withdraws in a longitudinal direction of a portion of the channel towards the first end of the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end; a penetrator having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm; a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; and an enlarged head coupled to the penetrator; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and where; the cannula includes a handle, the penetrator removal tab has a body extending between a body first end and a body second end, the body defining an opening that has at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the enlarged head, and the penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the enlarged head with the penetrator extending through the opening such that when the body second end of the penetrator removal tab is pivoted towards the second end of the cannula, the proximal end of the penetrator moves away from the handle and the penetrator withdraws along the channel of the cannula to move the distal end of the penetrator from the extended position toward the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end; a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension, the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance that is at least 5 times greater than the first transverse dimension of the penetrator; a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; and an enlarged head coupled to the penetrator; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form a microfracture having a depth that is at least 5 times greater than the first transverse dimension of the penetrator; and where; the cannula includes a handle, the penetrator removal tab has a body extending between a body first end and a body second end, the body defining an opening that has at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the enlarged head, and the penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the enlarged head with the penetrator extending through the opening such that when the body second end of the penetrator removal tab is pivoted towards the second end of the cannula, the distal end of the penetrator withdraws in a longitudinal direction of a portion of the channel towards the first end of the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification