Method and apparatus for performing arthroscopic microfracture surgery

Abstract

A microfracture instrument for applying microfracture therapy to a bone, the microfracture instrument comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a needle comprising a body terminating in at least one sharp point, the needle being movably mounted to the distal end of the shaft for movement between an extended position for engaging the bone with the at least one sharp point of the needle and a retracted position for withdrawing the at least one sharp point of the needle from the bone; and a drive shaft movably mounted to the elongated shaft, the drive shaft being connected to the body of the needle so that movement of the drive shaft relative to the elongated shaft moves the needle between its extended position and its retracted position.

1 .- 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A microfracture instrument for applying microfracture therapy to a bone, the microfracture instrument comprising:
 an elongated shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end;   a needle comprising a body terminating in a sharp point, the needle being movably mounted to the distal end of the elongated shaft; and   a spring disposed at the distal end of the elongated shaft, wherein the spring is manipulated from the proximal end of the elongated shaft to deliver energy to the needle to drive the sharp point of the needle into the bone in order to apply microfracture therapy to the bone.   
     
     
         63 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 62  wherein the spring is pulled away from the needle and then released in order to strike the needle and drive the sharp point of the needle into the bone. 
     
     
         64 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 63  further comprising a cable for pulling the spring away from the needle and releasing the spring to strike the needle. 
     
     
         65 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 62  wherein the elongated shaft comprises a hollow shaft having a side window formed adjacent to the distal end of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         66 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 65  wherein the spring comprises a flexible beam having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the flexible beam is disposed within the hollow shaft, and further wherein the needle is connected to the distal end of the flexible beam. 
     
     
         67 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 66  wherein the distal end of the flexible beam is releasably lockable to the distal end of the hollow shaft. 
     
     
         68 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 67  further comprising a rotatable shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the rotatable shaft is connected to the flexible beam so that rotational movement of the rotatable shaft flexes the beam, and further wherein when the distal end of the flexible beam is unlocked from the elongated shaft, the flexed flexible beam delivers energy to the needle to drive the sharp point of the needle out of the side window of the hollow shaft and into the bone. 
     
     
         69 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 67  further comprising a trigger tube slidably mounted within the hollow shaft for locking and unlocking the flexible beam from the distal end of the hollow shaft. 
     
     
         70 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 69  wherein the trigger tube comprises a notch at the distal end of the trigger tube. 
     
     
         71 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 70  wherein the trigger tube is biased proximally to lock the distal end of the flexible beam in the notch. 
     
     
         72 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 62  further comprising a handle secured to the proximal end of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         73 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 72  wherein a trigger is pivotally connected to the handle. 
     
     
         74 . A microfracture instrument according to  claim 68  wherein the rotatable shaft comprises an opening for receiving an endoscope. 
     
     
         75 . A method for applying microfracture therapy to a bone, the method comprising:
 providing a microfracture instrument comprising:
 an elongated shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end; 
 a needle comprising a body terminating in a sharp point, the needle being movably mounted to the distal end of the elongated shaft; and 
 a spring disposed at the distal end of the elongated shaft; 
   positioning the elongated shaft adjacent to the bone; and   manipulating the spring from the proximal end of the elongated shaft to delivery energy to the needle to drive the sharp point of the needle into the bone in order to apply microfracture therapy to the bone.   
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 75  further comprising manipulating the spring so that the at least one sharp point of the needle disengages from the bone.