Method and apparatus for restoring articular cartilage

Abstract

The present invention comprises the provision and use of new and improved arthroscopic instrumentation for (i) harvesting a tissue biopsy from a non-critical section of a joint, and (ii) sizing and seating an autologous graft at an implant site.

1 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool comprising:
 an outer tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end;   an inner core comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and at least one blade mounted to the distal end of the shaft; and   the inner core being rotatably mounted within the lumen of the outer tube such that the at least one blade protrudes beyond the distal end of the outer tube.   
     
     
         2 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one blade is mounted in at least one slit formed in the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 2  wherein the inner core comprises four blades mounted in four slits formed in the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 2  wherein the four blades are secured to one another so as to form a single element. 
     
     
         5 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 2  wherein tissue-receiving spaces are formed between each of the four blades. 
     
     
         6 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the at least one blade is angled relative to the remainder of the blade so as to force excised tissue proximally. 
     
     
         7 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one blade of the inner core protrudes beyond the distal end of the outer tube by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the articular cartilage which is to be harvested. 
     
     
         8 . An arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool according to  claim 1  wherein at least the distal end of the outer tube is transparent. 
     
     
         9 . A method for arthroscopically harvesting a tissue biopsy, the method comprising:
 providing an arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool comprising:
 an outer tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and 
 an inner core comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and at least one blade mounted to the distal end of the shaft; 
 the inner core being rotatably mounted within the lumen of the outer tube such that the at least one blade protrudes beyond the distal end of the outer tube; 
   advancing the at least one blade of the arthroscopic cartilage biopsy tool into the tissue which is to be harvested; and   rotating the inner core so as to cause the at least one blade to excise the tissue to be harvested.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the excised tissue is contained within the outer tube. 
     
     
         11 . An arthroscopic suction curette biopsy tool comprising:
 a hollow tube having a distal end including at least one sharp edge, a proximal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a side opening extending through the side wall of the hollow tube and communicating with the lumen.   
     
     
         12 . An arthroscopic suction curette biopsy tool according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one sharp edge is adjacent to the location where the lumen opens on the distal end of the hollow tube. 
     
     
         13 . An arthroscopic suction curette biopsy tool according to  claim 11  wherein the side opening is sized to be selectively blocked by a thumb or finger of the user. 
     
     
         14 . A method for arthroscopically harvesting a tissue biopsy, the method comprising:
 providing an arthroscopic suction curette biopsy tool comprising:
 a hollow tube having a distal end including at least one sharp edge, a proximal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a side opening extending through the side wall of the hollow tube and communicating with the lumen; 
   applying suction to the lumen at the proximal end of the hollow tube;   manipulating the hollow tube so that the at least one sharp edge excises the tissue which is to be harvested; and   selectively blocking the side opening with a thumb or finger of the user so as to apply suction to the lumen at the distal end of the hollow tube so as to secure the excised tissue to the distal end of the hollow tube.   
     
     
         15 . An arthroscopic tape measurer tool comprising:
 a hollow tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end;   a tape ribbon movably disposed within the lumen of the hollow tube, the tape ribbon having length markings thereon; and   movement means for moving the tape ribbon relative to the hollow tube.   
     
     
         16 . An arthroscopic tape measurer tool according to  claim 15  wherein the movement means comprise a slide button connected to the tape ribbon, and wherein the slide button is movably mounted to the hollow tube, such that movement of the slide button relative to the hollow tube causes movement of the tape ribbon relative to the hollow tube. 
     
     
         17 . An arthroscopic tape measurer tool according to  claim 15  wherein the distal end of the hollow tube is angled relative to the remainder of the hollow tube. 
     
     
         18 . A method for arthroscopically measuring a graft site, the method comprising:
 providing an arthroscopic tape measurer tool comprising:
 a hollow tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end; 
 a tape ribbon movably disposed within the lumen of the hollow tube, the tape ribbon having length markings thereon; and 
 movement means for moving the tape ribbon relative to the hollow tube; 
   manipulating the movement means so that the tape ribbon is withdrawn into the interior of the hollow tube;   advancing the distal end of the hollow tube so that it resides adjacent to a graft site;   manipulating the movement means so that the tape ribbon is extended out of the distal end of the hollow tube; and   using the length markings formed on the tape ribbon to measure the graft site.   
     
     
         19 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template comprising:
 an outer tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and   an inner rod comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a measuring template mounted to the distal end of the shaft;   the inner rod being movably mounted within the lumen of the outer tube such that the distal end of the inner rod can project out the distal end of the outer tube or be withdrawn into the lumen of the outer tube; and   the measuring template being foldable along its longitudinal axis so that the measuring template can be received within the interior of the outer tube.   
     
     
         20 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template according to  claim 19  wherein the measuring template has a tapered configuration adjacent to its proximal end so that retraction of the measuring template into the hollow tube causes the measuring template to automatically self-fold into a tubular configuration as the measuring template is withdrawn into the hollow tube. 
     
     
         21 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template according to  claim 19  wherein the measuring template is formed out of a material which provides minimal adhesion with an autologous graft. 
     
     
         22 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template according to  claim 19  wherein the measuring template is transparent. 
     
     
         23 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template according to  claim 19  wherein the measuring template comprises measurement markings. 
     
     
         24 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template according to  claim 19  wherein the measuring template is formed out of material which is cuttable. 
     
     
         25 . An arthroscopic applicator tool and measuring template according to  claim 19  wherein at least the distal end of the outer tube is transparent. 
     
     
         26 .- 27 . (canceled)