Orthopedic apparatus for controlled contraction of collagen tissue

• US 6,461,353 B1
• Filed: 07/03/1997
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated
• Inventors: Baker, James A. Jr., Gough, Edward J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shay, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/888,359
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 606/27, 606/28, 606/32-52, 600/151, 600/100, 604/154, 604/158, 604/168, 607/100-103
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1487 Trocar-like, i.e. devices producing an enlarged transcutaneous opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable

Abstract

An orthopedic apparatus, for effecting a change in ligaments, joint capsules and connective tissue through the controlled contraction of collagen fibers, includes a trocar. The trocar has a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis, and a trocar proximal end. An electrode is positioned at the trocar distal end. The electrode delivers substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode. The energy delivery surface is positioned next to an area of collagen fibers to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers. A handle is positioned at the proximal end of the trocar. The handle includes an actuating member and a locking member. The actuating member has a resting position and one or more activation positions that cause the trocar distal end to become laterally deflected to a desired position of deflection. The locking member has a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place. Further, the locking member is releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to one that is intermediate between the two in order to modify the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end. The distal end'"'"'s deflection can be readily adjusted and can return to a non-deflected position. The handle can be held in one hand, and the actuating and locking members each operable by a thumb and a finger of the hand.

Claims

1. An orthopedic apparatus, comprising:

a trocar including a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis, and a trocar proximal end;

an electrode positioned at the trocar distal end, the electrode delivering substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode to an area of collagen fibers adjacent to the energy delivery surface to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers; and

a handle positioned at a proximal end of the orthopedic device from which the trocar distally extends, the handle including an actuating member and a locking member positioned on opposing sides of the handle, the actuating member having a resting position and one or more activation positions that are defined by a locking ratchet in the handle which defines a plurality of discrete steps for the actuating member, the actuating member being operably attached to the trocar such that activation of the actuating member causes the trocar distal end to ratchet in a series of lateral deflection steps as controlled by the discrete steps of the locking ratchet, the locking member having resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place, the locking member being releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to an intermediate position to hold the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end, wherein the actuating member and the locking member are configured to be each operable by a thumb and a finger of a single hand which holds the handle.

2. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode has radiused edges.

3. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode has no square edges.

4. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulating layer positioned around an exterior of the trocar that does not cover the energy delivery surface of the electrode.

5. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a non-conductive layer positioned on an opposite side of the electrode from the energy delivery surface of the electrode.

6. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a shrink tube surrounding the trocar that does not cover the energy delivery surface of the electrode.

7. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the trocar is serrated.

8. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the trocar is made of a memory metal.

9. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trocar is made of a memory metal.

10. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trocar extends into an interior of the handle.

11. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuating member pivots in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle.

12. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking member is slideably positioned on an exterior surface of the handle.

13. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a coupler positioned at the trocar proximal end.

14. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cable connector positioned at a proximal end of the handle.

15. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode is an RF electrode.

16. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode is a microwave electrode.

17. An orthopedic apparatus, comprising:

a trocar including a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis, and a trocar proximal end;

an RF electrode positioned at the trocar distal end, the electrode delivering substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode to an area of collagen fibers adjacent to the energy delivery surface to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers; and

a handle positioned at a proximal end of the orthopedic device from which the trocar distally extends, the handle including an actuating member and a locking member positioned on opposing sides of the handle, the actuating member having a resting position and one or more activation positions that are defined by a locking ratchet in the handle which defines a plurality of discrete steps for the actuating member, the actuating member being operably attached to the trocar such that activation of the actuating member causes the trocar distal end to ratchet in a series of lateral deflection steps as controlled by the discrete steps of the locking ratchet, the locking member having a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place, the locking member being releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to an intermediate position to hold the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end, wherein the actuating member and the locking member are configured to be each operable by a thumb and a finger of a single hand which holds the handle;

an RF energy source; and

a cable to connect the RF energy source to the handle and the electrode.

18. An orthopedic apparatus, comprising:

a trocar including a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis and a trocar proximal end;

a microwave electrode positioned at the trocar distal end, the electrode delivering substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode to an area of collagen fibers adjacent to the energy delivery surface to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers; and

a handle positioned at a proximal end of the orthopedic device from which the trocar distally extends, the handle including an actuating member and a locking member positioned on opposing sides of the handle, the actuating member having a resting position and one or more activation positions that are defined by a locking ratchet in the handle which defines a plurality of discrete steps for the actuating member, the actuating member being operably attached to the trocar such that activation of the actuating member causes the trocar distal end to ratchet in a series of lateral deflection steps as controlled by the discrete steps of the locking ratchet, the locking member having a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place, the locking member being releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to an intermediate position to hold the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end, wherein the actuating member and the locking member are configured to be each operable by a thumb and a finger of a single hand which holds the handle;

a microwave energy source; and

a cable to connect the microwave energy source to the handle and the electrode.