Method and apparatus for arthroscopic tunneling
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a non-linear tunnel through a bone structure, comprising:
- positioning at least a portion of a flexible single shaft cutting tool through a flexible guide mechanism;
positioning the flexible single shaft cutting tool adjacent to the bone structure at a first bone location;
guiding the flexible single shaft cutting tool with the flexible guide mechanism from the first bone location to a second bone location;
cutting a non-linear path with the flexible single shaft cutting tool through the bone structure from the first bone location to the second bone location so as to cause the flexible single shaft cutting tool to enter the bone structure at the first bone location and exit the bone structure at the second bone location;
associating a suture engaging hook with the flexible single shaft cutting tool;
engaging a suture with the suture engaging hook at the second bone location; and
pulling the suture through the non-linear path from the second bone location to the first bone location to secure the suture to a selected tissue near to the first and second bone location after the non-linear path has been formed.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for repairing soft tissue through a less invasive procedure. Generally, a single shaft instrument is provided to allow for the drilling of a non-linear path into bone to facilitate tissue repair. An arthroscope can be used to monitor the procedure. Thus, smaller incisions can be made to repair soft tissues.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of forming a non-linear tunnel through a bone structure, comprising:
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positioning at least a portion of a flexible single shaft cutting tool through a flexible guide mechanism; positioning the flexible single shaft cutting tool adjacent to the bone structure at a first bone location; guiding the flexible single shaft cutting tool with the flexible guide mechanism from the first bone location to a second bone location; cutting a non-linear path with the flexible single shaft cutting tool through the bone structure from the first bone location to the second bone location so as to cause the flexible single shaft cutting tool to enter the bone structure at the first bone location and exit the bone structure at the second bone location; associating a suture engaging hook with the flexible single shaft cutting tool; engaging a suture with the suture engaging hook at the second bone location; and pulling the suture through the non-linear path from the second bone location to the first bone location to secure the suture to a selected tissue near to the first and second bone location after the non-linear path has been formed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of forming a non-linear tunnel through a bone structure, comprising:
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interconnecting a flexible drill shaft and a drill head; forming a small incision in a tissue near the bone structure; passing the drill head with the flexible drill shaft percutaneously through the small incision; drilling into the bone structure with the drill head at an entering position; guiding the drill head with the flexible drill shaft with a guide mechanism along a selected non-linear cutting path within the bone structure by; positioning at least a portion of the flexible drill shaft through a flexible rod; connecting a flexible member to a portion of the flexible drill shaft; sliding a handle to tension the flexible member to assist in directing the flexible drill shaft along the selected non-linear path; and forming the selected non-linear cutting path with the drill head between the entering position into the bone structure and an exiting position out of the bone structure that is spaced a distance from the entering position in the bone structure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of forming a non-linear tunnel through a bone structure, comprising:
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identifying the bone structure as at least one of a humerus, humeral head, glenoid, or combinations thereof; forming an incision in tissue relative to the identified bone structure; drilling into the identified bone structure with a drill head associated with a flexible drill shaft; guiding the drill head and flexible drill shaft with a flexible guide mechanism through an entry position and through the identified bone structure in a first direction, by; engaging a flexible rod with a housing with the flexible drill shaft; coupling the flexible drill shaft to the flexible rod at a proximal end; engaging a handle with a distal end of the flexible rod and the housing; manipulating the handle to direct the flexible drill shaft along a non-predetermined path; forming a tunnel with the drill head along the non-predetermined path; exiting the identified bone structure at an exit position with the drill head; moving a suture engaging member near the drill head through the formed tunnel; pulling a suture through the formed tunnel in a second direction to pull the suture from the exit position to the entry position; and engaging the identified bone structure with the suture. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification