Localized Cartilage Defect Therapy

• US 20080269674A1
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stone, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,137,354 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1635 for grafts, harvesting or transplants
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment

Abstract

Methods of repairing cartilage defects are provided. The cartilage defect is identified and shaped to prepare the cartilage defect for a localized therapy. The cartilage defect is isolated with an isolation device. The localized therapy is then delivered to the cartilage defect through the isolation device.

Claims

1. A method of repairing a cartilage defect comprising:

a. identifying the cartilage defect;

b. shaping the cartilage defect to prepare the cartilage defect for a localized therapy;

c. isolating the cartilage defect with an isolation device to provide the localized therapy to the cartilage defect; and

d. providing the localized therapy to the cartilage defect with the isolation device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein shaping the cartilage defect further comprises removing the damaged cartilage to create a defined region at the cartilage defect.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein shaping the cartilage defect comprises removing the damaged tissue to provide a placement area for a barrier device region of the isolation device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein isolating the cartilage defect comprises placing a barrier device on the cartilage defect wherein the barrier device is sized to fit about and contain the cartilage defect.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein isolating the cartilage defect comprises isolating the cartilage defect from at least one of an ambient fluid and a surrounding tissue.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the barrier device comprises a suction cup.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the localized therapy is selected from the group consisting of:

delivery of a therapeutic agent, withdrawal of blood from an underlying bone, applying a negative pressure to the cartilage defect, aspirating the cartilage defect, delivery of a UV curable composition, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the localized therapy is delivery of a therapeutic agent and the therapeutic agent comprises separated components further wherein the separated components are combined in a mixing shaft on the isolation device immediately prior to delivery to the cartilage defect.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering localized therapy comprises drawing blood from within a bone underlying the cartilage defect.

10. A method of repairing a cartilage defect comprising:

a. shaping the cartilage defect to expose an underlying bone;

b. microfracturing the underlying bone to induce bleeding;

c. introducing an isolation device having a barrier device onto the cartilage defect;

d. deploying the barrier device and arranging the barrier device over the cartilage defect to isolate a region of the microfractured bone from an ambient fluid;

e. applying a positive pressure from the isolation device to aspirate and dry the isolated region; and

f. providing a localized therapy to the dry isolated region with the isolation device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein shaping the cartilage defect comprises creating a defined region at the cartilage defect to provide a placement area for the barrier device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the barrier device is sized to fit about and contain the cartilage defect.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the isolation device comprises a syringe and the barrier device is deployed from within a barrel of the syringe.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising flexing the syringe to place the syringe at the cartilage defect.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the localized therapy comprises delivery of a therapeutic agent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises separated components further wherein the separated components are combined in a mixing shaft on the isolation device immediately prior to delivery to the cartilage defect.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising delivering the therapeutic agent at a pressure sufficient to cause the therapeutic agent to transcend a calcified cartilage layer at the cartilage defect and infiltrate the underlying bone.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering the localized therapy comprises drawing blood from within a bone underlying the cartilage defect.

19. A method of repairing a cartilage defect comprising:

a. shaping the cartilage defect to expose an underlying bone;

b. isolating a region of the underlying bone from an ambient fluid at the cartilage defect with an isolation device;

c. providing a localized therapy by applying a negative pressure from the isolation device to draw a blood material from the underlying bone into the cartilage defect; and

d. providing a localized therapy by delivering a therapeutic agent to the isolated region of the cartilage defect with the isolation device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the negative pressure is applied in an amount sufficient to draw a blood material from within cancellous bone.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein delivery of the therapeutic agent is at a pressure sufficient to cause the therapeutic agent to transcend a calcified cartilage layer at the cartilage defect and infiltrate the underlying bone.

22. A method of repairing a focal cartilage defect comprising:

a. shaping the cartilage defect to expose an underlying bone;

b. isolating a region of the bone from an ambient fluid at the cartilage defect with an isolation device;

c. providing a localized therapy by delivering a UV curable therapeutic agent to the isolated region with the isolation device; and

d. curing the UV curable therapeutic agent while isolating the region.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein shaping the cartilage defect comprises removing the damaged tissue to provide a placement for a barrier device on the isolation device.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the barrier device is sized to fit about and contain the cartilage defect.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising exposing the isolated, UV curable composition to a UV light.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the UV light is placed at the cartilage defect site through a cannula.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein isolating a region of the bone further comprises delivering a collapsible syringe through a cannula to the cartilage defect.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the UV light is delivered through a cannula.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the UV light is delivered with a fiber optic system.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising delivering the UV light through a side port or a second arthroscopic opening.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising delivering the UV light to the surface of a barrier device on the isolation device.