Method and apparatus for treatment of disrupted articular cartilage

• US 6,695,839 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2001
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Sharkey, Hugh R., Fanton, Gary S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US09/780,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606/46, 606/47, 606/48, 606/49, 606/50, 607/96, 607/104, 607/105, 607/113
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

An apparatus for treating disrupted articular cartilage comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and a handle coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member. The distal extremity has a peripheral wall defining a cavity and a distal opening communicating with the cavity. A controllable environment is created within the cavity when the distal extremity is placed substantially flush against the disrupted articular cartilage. An electrode is positioned within the cavity at a distance spaced inwardly of the distal opening. The disrupted articular cartilage is sealed to form a substantially continuous surface when energy is supplied to the electrode. A method of using the apparatus is provided.

Claims

1. A system for treating disrupted articular cartilage comprising:

an elongate probe member having;

proximal and distal portions, the distal portion having a peripheral will, the peripheral wall defining a cavity and having a distal opening communicating with the cavity, the peripheral wall being configured to create a controllable environment within the cavity when the distal opening is placed substantially flush against disrupted articular cartilage, and

an electrode positioned within the cavity at a distance spaced inwardly of the distal opening of the peripheral wall;

an energy source coupled to the electrode and configured to provide a supply of energy suitable for sealing disrupted articular cartilage to form a substantially continuous surface, and

a temperature sensor within the distal portion for monitoring the ambient temperature within the controllable environment,

wherein the electrode has a distally-oriented wall and a circumferentially-extending side wall extending proximally from the distal opening, the temperature sensor being distal behind the distally-oriented wall within a thermally-conductive fill material adhered to the distally-oriented wall for monitoring of the temperature of the distally-oriented wall.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermally-conductive fill material is spaced inwardly from the side wall for enhancing accuracy in the monitoring of the temperature of the distally-oriented wall.

3. The system claim 2, further comprising an insulating material disposed between the thermally-conductive fill material and the side wall.

4. A system for treating a fluid-filled joint mammalian body having disrupted articular cartilage, the system comprising:

(i) an elongate probe member having proximal and distal portions, the distal portion having a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall defining a cavity and having a distal opening communicating with the cavity, the peripheral wall being configured to create a controllable fluid-filled environment in the cavity when the distal opening is placed substantially flush against disrupted articular cartilage, and an electrode carried by the distal portion within the cavity in a position spaced inwardly of the distal opening, (ii) an energy source coupled to the electrode and configured to provide a supply of energy suitable for melding together the disrupted articular cartilage whim energy is provided to the electrode to heat the controllable fluid environment, and (iii) a temperature sensor carried by the distal portion within the cavity for monitoring ambient temperature within the controllable fluid-filled environment, wherein;

the electrode is cup-shaped and has an end wall facing the distal opening and a side wall extending proximally from the distal opening,

the electrode temperature sensor is disposed behind the end wall, and

an outer side wall of a thermally insulating material surrounds the side wall of the electrode for enhancing accuracy in the monitoring of the ambient temperature.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the elongate probe member defines a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the outer side wall being spaced inwardly from the peripheral wall for forming an annular opening for the lumen.