Repairing cartilage
First Claim
1. A set of instruments for use during a procedure in which a tissue graft is inserted into bone tissue, the set of instruments comprisinga first instrument;
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the first instrument is configured to orient the second instrument against a surface of the bone tissue, said first instrument including a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the second instrument, a tissue-engaging portion, and at least one viewing portion permitting visual inspection of an interior of the guiding portion through a side wall of the guiding portion; and
said second instrument is confined for inserting the tissue graft into a hole in the bone tissue, said guiding portion being sized to engage and align a portion of said second instrument against the bone tissue surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of repairing cartilage (e.g., articular cartilage on the femur) and a set of instruments used in the method are provided. The damaged cartilage is removed from the bone to expose the underlying bone, grafts covered with cartilage (e.g., hyaline cartilage) are harvested from elsewhere in the body (e.g., other areas of the femur), and the grafts are inserted into holes drilled into the exposed area of bone. A guide is provided for use with surgical instruments during the procedure to orient the surgical instruments perpendicularly to the bone surface during use. The guide includes a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the surgical instrument, and a tissue-engaging portion oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. A set of surgical instruments used to carry out the method includes the guide, a drill for forming the graft-receiving holes, and an insertion tool for inserting the grafts. Other accessory instruments are also provided.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A set of instruments for use during a procedure in which a tissue graft is inserted into bone tissue, the set of instruments comprising
a first instrument; - and
a second instrument, wherein; the first instrument is configured to orient the second instrument against a surface of the bone tissue, said first instrument including a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the second instrument, a tissue-engaging portion, and at least one viewing portion permitting visual inspection of an interior of the guiding portion through a side wall of the guiding portion; and said second instrument is confined for inserting the tissue graft into a hole in the bone tissue, said guiding portion being sized to engage and align a portion of said second instrument against the bone tissue surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. Apparatus for use with an instrument during a procedure in which a tissue graft is inserted into bone tissue, the apparatus comprising
a guide configured to orient the instrument against a surface of the bone tissue, said guide including a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging the instrument, a tissue-engaging portion, and at least one viewing portion permitting visual inspection of an interior of the guiding portion through a side wall of the guiding portion; wherein said guide further comprises a spacer for positioning said guiding portion at a selected location relative to a feature on bone tissue, said spacer including a member projecting from said tissue-engaging portion of said guide. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A set of instruments for use during a procedure in which a tissue graft that includes bone having a layer of cartilage thereon is inserted into bone tissue, the set of instruments comprising
a guide configured to orient another instrument in said set against a surface of the bone tissue, said guide including a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging said other instrument, a tissue-engaging portion, and at least one viewing portion permitting visual inspection of an interior of the guiding portion through a side wall of the guiding portion, a drill engageable with said guiding portion for drilling a hole in the bone tissue surface for receiving the tissue graft, and an insertion tool engageable with said guiding portion for inserting the tissue graft into the hole formed by said drill, wherein said insertion tool includes a portion having a length that is movable relative to a length of said guide to control a position at which the tissue graft is located in the hole.
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53. A set of instruments for use during a procedure in which a tissue graft that includes bone having a layer of cartilage thereon is inserted into bone tissue, comprising
a guide configured to orient another instrument in said set against a surface of the bone tissue, said guide including a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis for engaging said other instrument and a tissue-engaging portion, a drill engageable with said guiding portion for drilling a hole in the bone tissue surface for receiving the tissue graft, an insertion tool engageable with said guiding portion for inserting the tissue graft into the hole formed by said drill, and a tool for removing the tissue graft from a bone, wherein said tool includes a chisel having a hollow shaft that extends distally from a handle and terminates in a sharpened, hollow tip configured to capture the tissue graft therein, said handle having a passage therein that communicates with said hollow shaft, a collar that is slidable over said shaft to shield said hollow tip during removal of the tissue graft therefrom, and a member insertable into said hollow tip to engage the tissue graft and remove the tissue graft proximally through said shaft and said passage of said handle.
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62. Apparatus for use during a procedure in which a tissue graft is inserted into bone tissue, the apparatus comprising
an insertion tool for inserting the tissue graft into a bole in the hone tissue, wherein, said insertion tool includes a portion having a length that is adjustable relative to a length of a guide to allow corresponding adjustment of a maximum amount by which the portion may extend from the guide to control a position at which the graft is located in the hole.
Specification