Orthopedic joint device

Abstract

A percutaneously implantable orthopedic device is a shape-changing joint prosthesis with a generally arcuate or generally rectilinear configuration which is delivered through a delivery device in a substantially straightened or slightly curved configuration into a joint in a patient. The generally arcuate configuration may include an open ring or spiral shape. The generally rectilinear configuration may include a polygon or zig-zag shape. The delivery and retrieval device can be a syringe, hypodermic needle or cannula. The orthopedic device is moveable into its generally arcuate or generally rectilinear configuration in the joint by manipulation or a shape memory set. The orthopedic device acts as a soft compliant bearing surface or cushion that minimizes the bone-on-bone wear from articulation and loading.

1 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 inserting a resilient implant into a native joint cavity, wherein the native joint cavity comprises native articular surfaces; and   releasing the implant in the native joint cavity, wherein the implant dynamically conforms to the native articular surfaces of the joint cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising deforming the resilient implant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient implant is deformed into an alpha shape (α). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient implant is deformed into a gamma shape (γ). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient implant is deformed into a twisted shape. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient implant comprises a planar configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the resilient implant is deformed into a multi-planar configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the native joint cavity is located in a hand or a wrist of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the native joint cavity is located between a carpal and a meta-carpal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient implant is configured to conform to bone movement in the joint cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein deforming the resilient implant comprises pinching the flexible implant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising floating the resilient implant in the joint cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the resilient implant into the native joint cavity comprises pulling at least a portion of the resilient implant into the native joint cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein pulling at least a portion of the resilient implant comprises pushing a plunger against a leading portion of the resilient implant and pulling a trailing portion of the resilient implant into the native joint cavity using the leading portion of the resilient implant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the resilient implant into the native joint cavity comprises pushing at least a portion of the resilient implant into the native joint cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pushing at least a portion of the resilient implant comprises pushing a plunger against a medial portion of the resilient implant. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising pulling an end portion of the resilient implant into the native joint cavity using the medial portion of the resilient implant. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 inserting a resilient implant into a native joint cavity, wherein the implant has been deformed into a collapsed configuration, wherein the resilient implant comprises a shape-memory material; and   deploying the resilient implant by releasing the implant from the collapsed configuration, wherein the implant conforms to native articular surfaces of the joint cavity.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the collapsed configuration comprises an alpha shape (α). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the collapsed configuration comprises a gamma shape (γ). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the collapsed configuration comprises the implant into a twisted shape.