Methods and devices for repairing cartilage defects
Inventors
Robles Toth, Felix Ernesto • Mackinnon, III, Robert Bruce • Fehr, Lester H.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11857170-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosures describe devices and methods to repair cartilage defects using arthroscopic surgical methods. The disclosed devices include a cannula assembly including a cannula body, a dam seal sub-assembly disposed proximally from the cannula body, and an obturator inserted coaxially through both the cannula body and the dam seal sub-assembly; an articulated arthroscopic cutting tool; a ring curette; a square curette; a rake curette; a matrix shuttle delivery device for delivering a cell-seeded support matrix including chondrocytes; and an applicator tool.
Core Innovation
The disclosed subject matter provides methods and a kit/system for repairing knee cartilage defects using matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). The methods include arthroscopic measurement of cartilage lesions using an adjustable arthroscopic measurement probe, followed by outlining and scoring the cartilage with an articulated arthroscopic cutting tool. Cartilage is further prepared by debriding using ring curettes, square curettes, and rake curettes.
The system provides a cell-seeded support matrix that is cut to match a lesion using a matrix cutter, and the prepared matrix is arthroscopically delivered using a matrix shuttle delivery device. The shuttle delivery device includes a shuttle body comprising a substantially hollow cylinder, and a delivery tip at a distal end of the shuttle body. A plunger disposed longitudinally within the shuttle body protrudes out of a proximal end of the shuttle body.
When the plunger is pushed longitudinally into the shuttle body, at least two deployment wings disposed inside the delivery tip extend externally through at least two holes on a distal surface of the delivery tip. The delivery tip further includes a tapered/elliptical or oblong geometry, including a ledge across the top and distal end of the delivery tip, and deployment-wing geometry that supports the external deployment through the holes.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes two independent claims directed to a matrix shuttle delivery device, with main inventive features centered on plunger-driven deployment of wings through holes in a shaped delivery tip. Dependent claims refine the deployment-wing geometry, hole/tip spatial relationships, dimensional constraints, and material and structural options.
Plunger-actuated deployment wings extending through holes in a hollow cylindrical shuttle
A matrix shuttle delivery device with a shuttle body comprising a substantially hollow cylinder, a delivery tip at a distal end, and a plunger disposed longitudinally within the shuttle body and protruding out of a proximal end; the device includes at least two deployment wings disposed inside the delivery tip and attached to the plunger, and at least two holes on a distal surface of the delivery tip, wherein pushing the plunger longitudinally into the shuttle body causes the at least two deployment wings to extend externally through the at least two holes of the delivery tip.
Elliptical or oblong ledge delivery tip geometry and plunger with small cylinder pin and rounded knob
A matrix shuttle delivery device with a shuttle body comprising a substantially hollow cylinder and a delivery tip at a distal end that includes a cylindrical portion connected to the shuttle body, a tapered portion with two sloped sides meeting at a flat surface at a distal end, and an outline ledge across the top and distal end comprising an elliptical or oblong shape; the device further includes a plunger disposed longitudinally within the shuttle body and protruding out of the proximal end, with a cylindrical body, a flat disc portion at the proximal end, and a recessed portion with a protruding pin that comprises a small cylinder disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a rounded knob with a diameter larger than that of the small cylinder.
Across the independent claims, the key claim coverage is directed to a plunger-driven matrix shuttle delivery device that deploys deployment wings outward through holes at a shaped distal delivery tip, and to specific delivery-tip and plunger geometries, including an elliptical or oblong ledge and a perpendicular small cylinder pin with a larger rounded knob.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Arthroscopic repair of knee cartilage defects using matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI).
Arthroscopic delivery of a cell-seeded support matrix prepared to match a cartilage lesion using a matrix cutter and matrix shuttle delivery device.
Evaluation of post-delivery cell viability using MTT and acceptance/comparative criteria in a bench-test example.
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