Suture-based orthopedic joint devices

Abstract

Devices and treatments for various joint conditions include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a suture. The suture is passed through the joint space and used to pull the orthopedic device into the joint space. The suture may be using a percutaneously inserted needle or other type of needle-based delivery instrument. The resilient elongate orthopedic device may be restrained to a reduced profile that permits minimally invasive implantation, but assume an enlarged profile when positioned at an implantation site.

1 . A method of implanting an orthopedic device, comprising:
 inserting a needle through an insertion opening located on a dorsal side of a joint, wherein the needle is attached to a joint implant by a suture;   piercing tissue from inside the joint with the needle to form an exit opening located on an opposite side of the joint from the insertion opening; and   pulling the joint implant into joint using the suture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling the suture and the joint implant together. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coupling the suture and the joint implant comprises passing the suture through the joint implant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein passing the suture through the joint implant comprises passing the suture through a pre-formed lumen of the joint implant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein coupling the suture and the joint implant comprises looping the suture around the joint implant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint implant is a bendable joint implant having a reduced profile and an enlarged profile, wherein the enlarged profile has substantially the same volume as the reduced profile. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint implant is a bendable joint implant having a reduced profile and an enlarged profile, wherein the enlarged profile has substantially the same mass as the reduced profile. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint implant comprises at least one articulated joint. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the joint implant comprises a plurality of pivot joints. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint implant is a resilient joint implant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient joint implant is in a restrained configuration while passing through the insertion opening of the joint capsule. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 separating the flexible line from the joint implant; and   pulling at least a portion of the flexible line out of the joint space.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a needle path between the between the first joint capsule opening and the second joint capsule opening is straight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint implant comprises a C-shaped body surrounding a span member, and a gap between two ends of the C-shaped body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is a metacarpal-phalangeal joint. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is a metatarsal-phalangeal joint.