RETROGRADE EXCISION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS

• US 20070123921A1
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrosurface, Inc (Anika Therapeutics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Arthrosurface, Inc (Anika Therapeutics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ek, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,951,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1617 with mobile or detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1714 for applying tendons or ligaments implements for applying tendons or ligaments A61F2/0805
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320032 Details of the rotating or oscillating shaft, e.g. using a flexible shaft

Abstract

A method for excising a portion of an articular surface using a retrograde procedure. An access tunnel is provided extending through a bone and to the articular surface. A central shaft is inserted through the access tunnel to the articular surface and a cutter is coupled to the central shaft. The cutter is coupled to the central shaft to allow the cutter to rotate with the central and to allow the cutter to be tiltable relative to the central shaft. The cutter is rotated and a retrograde force is applied to the cutter to urge the cutter into the articular surface.

Claims

1. An excision tool comprising:

a shaft; and

a cutter configured to be coupled to said shaft to provide said cutter rotatable with said shaft and tiltable relative to said shaft

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutter is configured to be removably coupled to said shaft.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutter comprises a ball coupling, said cutter configured to be tiltable relative to said shaft about said ball coupling.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said shaft comprises an opening adjacent to an end of said shaft, said opening sized to receive at least a portion of said cutter and said ball coupling.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutter is configured to be coupled to said shaft via a pivot pin.

6. A system for excising a portion of an articular surface, said system comprising:

a stop sleeve comprising an axial bore

a central shaft rotatably and slidably receivable in said bore

a cutter configured to be coupled to said central shaft to permit said cutter to rotate with said central shaft and to be tiltable relative to said central shaft.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said stop sleeve is configured to be at least partially disposed in an access tunnel defined in a bone, said stop sleeve being axially translatable within said access tunnel.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said stop sleeve comprises an external thread configured to threadably engage bone defining an access tunnel.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein said central shaft is configured to be axially translatable with said stop sleeve.

10. A system according to claim 6, wherein said cutter comprises a ball coupling, said cutter configured to be tiltable relative to said central shaft about said ball coupling.

11. A system according to claim 6, wherein said cutter comprises a bearing surface configured to travel along a distal end of said stop sheath.

12. A method of excising a portion of an articular surface comprising:

providing an access tunnel extending through a bone to said articular surface;

inserting a central shaft at least partially into said access tunnel;

coupling a cutter to said central shaft, said cutter tiltable relative to said central shaft;

rotating said cutter; and

applying a retrograde force to said cutter to urge said cutter into said articular surface.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein rotating said cutter comprises applying a rotational force to said cutter through said central shaft.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein applying a retrograde force comprises withdrawing said central shaft away from said articular surface.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising installing a stop sleeve at least partially into said access tunnel, said stop sleeve receiving at least a portion of said central shaft through said stop sleeve.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein applying a retrograde force comprises withdrawing said stop sleeve and said central shaft away from said articular surface.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said stop sheath is threadably engaged in said access tunnel, and withdrawing said stop sleeve and said shaft comprises threadably translating said stop sleeve away from said articular surface.

18. A method according to claim 16, comprising positioning a bearing surface of said cutter adjacent to a distal end of said stop sleeve and withdrawing said cutter and said stop sleeve away from said articular surface.

19. A method according to claim 15, comprising providing a guide sleeve positioned at least partially through said stop sleeve, said central shaft extending at least partially though said guide sleeve.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising positioning a distal end of said guide sleeve adjacent to said cutter, said guide sleeve directing an orientation of said cutter during rotation thereof.