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Systems and methods for joint stabilization

  • US 8,936,644 B2
  • Filed: 10/19/2012
  • Issued: 01/20/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for forming a photodynamic joint spacer, the system comprising:

  • a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the delivery catheter having an inner void for passing at least one light-sensitive liquid therethrough;

    an expandable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, the expandable member moveable from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one light-sensitive liquid enters the expandable member, wherein the expandable member is sufficiently designed to engage a bone;

    a formable bar configured for attachment to the bone adjacent the expandable member to shape the expandable member into a desired shape; and

    a light conducting fiber for providing light energy to the light-sensitive liquid within the expandable member to cure the light-sensitive liquid within the expandable member to set the expandable member in the desired shape to form a photodynamic joint spacer.

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