TISSUE MICROFRACTURE APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20110034945A1
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Lonnie and Shannon Paulos Trust
• Original Assignee: The Lonnie and Shannon Paulos Trust
• Inventors: Paulos, Lonnie E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,172,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/185
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself

Abstract

A tissue microfracture apparatus including a housing having a proximal end and a distal end that includes an aperture. The apparatus also includes an elongated member having proximal and distal ends with at least one tissue microfracture spike protruding from the distal end. The member operates cooperatively with the housing to expose a portion of the spike through the aperture. The apparatus also includes a disposing facility between the elongated member and the housing to dispose the spike in a home position within the housing. The disposing facility may be a spring element positioned at either the proximal or distal end of the housing. The elongated member may include a force receiving surface on the proximal end for receiving a force that facilitates exposing the portion of the spike. An exposure limiting facility limits the exposed portion of the spike.

Claims

1. A tissue microfracture apparatus, comprising:

a housing having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including an aperture;

an elongated member having proximal and distal ends with at least one tissue microfracture spike protruding from the distal end, the member operating cooperatively with the housing to expose a portion of the at least one spike through the aperture; and

a disposing facility between the elongated member and the housing to dispose the at least one spike in a home position within the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disposing facility is positioned at the proximal end of the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disposing facility is positioned at the distal end of the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disposing facility comprises a spring element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a force-receiving surface coupled to the proximal end of the elongated member for receiving a force that facilitates exposing the portion of the at least one spike.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises an exposure limiting facility to limit the exposed portion of the at least one spike.

7. A tissue microfracture apparatus, comprising:

a housing having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including an aperture;

an elongated member having proximal and distal ends with at least one tissue microfracture spike protruding from the distal end, the member operating cooperatively with the housing to expose a portion of the at least one spike through the aperture; and

an exposure limiting facility to limit the exposed portion of the at least one spike.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the exposure limiting facility is positioned at the proximal end of the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the exposure limiting facility is positioned at the distal end of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the exposure limiting facility comprises a spring element.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the exposure limiting facility comprises a first exposure limiting element on the housing cooperating with a second exposure limiting element on the elongated member.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a force-receiving element coupled to the proximal end of the elongated member for receiving a force that facilitates exposing the portion of the at least one spike.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a disposing facility between the elongated member and the housing to dispose the at least one spike in a home position within the housing.

14. A method of tissue microfracture, comprising:

receiving a force on a force-receiving surface of a tissue microfracture apparatus, thereby causing a portion of a spike to protrude through an aperture in an operative end of the apparatus; and

retracting the spike through the aperture.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the step of receiving a force on the force-receiving surface of the tissue microfracture apparatus further comprises increasing a retraction force from an initial value; and

the step of retracting the spike through the aperture further comprises reducing the retraction force to the initial value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the portion of the spike to protrude through the aperture is limited independent of the retraction force.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the retraction force is provided by a disposing facility that is positioned at a proximal end of the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the retraction force is provided by a disposing facility that is positioned at a distal end of the apparatus.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the portion of the spike to protrude through the aperture is limited by an exposure limiting facility of the apparatus other than an exterior surface of the operative end.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the exposure limiting facility is positioned at an end of the apparatus opposite the operative end.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the exposure limiting facility is positioned at the operative end of the apparatus.