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 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         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   manipulating the movement means so that the tape ribbon is withdrawn into the interior of the hollow tube;   advancing the distal end of the hollow tube so that it resides adjacent to a graft site;   manipulating the movement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 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled)