Methods and Devices for Delivering and Affixing Tissue Scaffolds

• US 20150351931A1
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Mitek LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Sengun, Mehmet Z., Dimatteo, Kristian
• Granted Patent: US 9,848,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4618 of cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30766 Scaffolds for cartilage ingrowth and regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for delivering and affixing tissue replacements. In one embodiment, a tissue scaffold can be delivered into a patient through a cannula to a cavity formed at a defect site in tissue, e.g., cartilage. A delivery shaft can be used to deliver the scaffold through the cannula, and a loading device can help load the scaffold onto the delivery shaft. A delivery guide device can position and temporarily hold the scaffold within the cavity. The delivery guide device can guide one or more surgical instruments to the scaffold to affix the scaffold within the cavity, e.g., to bone underlying the scaffold, using at least one securing mechanism.

Claims

1. A tissue scaffold loading system, comprising:

a delivery shaft having at least one prong extending from a distal end thereof, the at least one prong being configured to extend through a tissue scaffold; and

a loading block having a surface configured to seat a tissue scaffold thereon, the surface having at least one opening formed therein and configured to receive the at least one prong on the delivery shaft such that the at least one prong can extend through a tissue scaffold seated on the surface, the loading block further including a guide member extending from the surface and having at least one channel formed therein, the at least one channel being positioned to guide the at least one prong into the at least one opening on the surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one prong comprises two prongs, the at least one opening comprises two openings, and the at least one channel comprises two channels.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening formed in the surface of the loading block is in the form of an elongate slot configured to allow the at least one prong on the elongate shaft to slide therein.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide member has a first portion extending substantially perpendicular to the surface and a second portion extending substantially parallel to the surface, the at least one channel being formed in the second portion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is located a predetermined distance from a terminal edge of the surface such that the at least one prong will extend through a predetermined location on a tissue scaffold seated on the surface and having perimeter abutting the terminal edge.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tissue scaffold having a plurality of pores, each of the pores having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the at least one prong.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery cannula having an inner lumen extending threrethrough and configured to receive the delivery shaft therein.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a funnel removably mated to a distal end of the delivery cannula.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the delivery shaft is configured to be inserted into a distal end of the delivery cannula, and wherein the delivery cannula includes a stop configured to limit proximal movement of the delivery shaft within the delivery cannula to position the at least one prong at a predetermined location within the distal end of the delivery cannula.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a delivery guide slidably disposable over the delivery shaft and having a distal end configured to engage a tissue scaffold disposed on the at least one prong on the distal end of the delivery shaft and to hold the tissue scaffold against a surface of bone.

11. A method for loading a tissue scaffold onto a delivery shaft, comprising:

positioning a tissue scaffold on a surface of a loading block such that the tissue scaffold is disposed over at least one opening formed in the surface; and

advancing at least one prong extending from a distal end of a delivery shaft along at least one channel formed in a guide member on the loading block, the at least one channel guiding the at least one prong through the tissue scaffold and into the at least one opening.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the guide member guides the at least one prong through the tissue scaffold at a predetermined location relative to a perimeter of the tissue scaffold.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one opening comprises at least one elongate slot, and wherein the method further comprises sliding the at least one prong through the at least one slot and removing the at least one prong from the at least one slot with the tissue scaffold attached thereto.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein positioning a tissue scaffold on a surface of a loading block comprises abutting a perimeter of the tissue scaffold against a surface of the guide member.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein positioning a tissue scaffold on a surface of a loading block comprises positioning at least a portion of the tissue scaffold underneath at least a portion of the guide member.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein a surface of the tissue scaffold having viable tissue cells disposed thereon is positioned in contact with the surface of the loading block.

17. A method for delivering a tissue scaffold, comprising:

positioning a distal end of a delivery guide on a tissue scaffold and against a surface of bone to hold a tissue scaffold at a fixed position relative to the surface of the bone; and

advancing a fastener-applying tool through the delivery guide to insert a fastener through the tissue scaffold and into the bone thereby fastening the tissue scaffold to the bone at the fixed position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein positioning a distal end of the delivery guide comprises penetrating at least one tooth on the delivery guide through the tissue scaffold and into the bone.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to advancing a fastener-applying tool through the delivery guide, advancing a punch tool through the delivery guide to form at least one hole through the tissue scaffold and into the bone for receiving the at least one fastener.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein an alignment feature on the delivery guide aligns the fastener-applying tool at a predetermined radial orientation relative to the delivery guide.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to positioning a distal end of a delivery guide, positioning the tissue scaffold against the surface of bone using a delivery shaft, and wherein the delivery guide is advanced over the delivery shaft to position the distal end of the delivery guide on the tissue scaffold and against the surface of the bone.