Microfracture apparatuses and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, the cannula having a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, the distal portion configured such that a second end of the channel is disposed at an angle relative to a first end of the channel;
a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm;
a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula;
where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form in subchondral bone a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and
where;
the cannula includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end that faces the second end of the cannula,the penetrator includes a flange,the penetrator removal tab has a body with a body first end, a body second end, and a length in between the first and second ends, the body defining an opening closer to the body first end than to the body second end, the opening having at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the flange, andthe penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the flange with the penetrator extending through the opening, and a portion of the body between the opening and the body second end contacting a portion of the handle to act as a fulcrum for pivoting the body first end away from the proximal end of the handle to withdraw the penetrator from the extended position.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for microfracture (e.g., forming a plurality of microfractures in a bone to encourage cartilage regeneration). Some of the present apparatuses and methods are configured to create microfractures with smaller transverse dimensions (e.g., diameters) and greater depths than previously known. Some of the present apparatuses and methods comprise a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, the cannula having a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, the distal portion configured such that a second end of the channel is disposed at an angle relative to a first end of the channel; a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm; a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form in subchondral bone a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and where; the cannula includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end that faces the second end of the cannula, the penetrator includes a flange, the penetrator removal tab has a body with a body first end, a body second end, and a length in between the first and second ends, the body defining an opening closer to the body first end than to the body second end, the opening having at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the flange, and the penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the flange with the penetrator extending through the opening, and a portion of the body between the opening and the body second end contacting a portion of the handle to act as a fulcrum for pivoting the body first end away from the proximal end of the handle to withdraw the penetrator from the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end; a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm; a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form in subchondral bone a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and where; the cannula includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end that faces the second end of the cannula, the penetrator includes a flange, the penetrator removal tab has a body with a body first end, a body second end, and a length in between the first and second ends, the body defining an opening closer to the body first end than to the body second end, the opening having at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the flange, and the penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the flange with the penetrator extending through the opening, and a portion of the body between the opening and the body second end contacting a portion of the handle to act as a fulcrum for pivoting the body first end away from the proximal end of the handle to withdraw the penetrator from the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end; a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension, the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance that is at least 5 times greater than the first transverse dimension of the penetrator; a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form in subchondral bone a microfracture having a depth that is at least 5 times greater than the first transverse dimension of the penetrator; and where; the cannula includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end that faces the second end of the cannula, the penetrator includes a flange, the penetrator removal tab has a body with a body first end, a body second end, and a length in between the first and second ends, the body defining an opening closer to the body first end than to the body second end, the opening having at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the flange, and the penetrator removal tab is configured to be disposed between the handle and the flange with the penetrator extending through the opening, and a portion of the body between the opening and the body second end contacting a portion of the handle to act as a fulcrum for pivoting the body first end away from the proximal end of the handle to withdraw the penetrator from the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification