Method and apparatus for reconstructing a hip joint, including the provision and use of a novel arthroscopic debridement template for assisting in the treatment of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement

Abstract

Apparatus for use in debriding a bone, said apparatus comprising: an arthroscopic debridement template comprising a body reconfigurable between (i) a first configuration having a first profile and comprising an arc matching the desired curvature of the bone after debridement, and (ii) a second configuration having a second profile, wherein said second profile is smaller than said first profile.

1 . Apparatus for use in debriding a bone, said apparatus comprising:
 an arthroscopic debridement template comprising a body reconfigurable between (i) a first configuration having a first profile and comprising an arc matching the desired curvature of the bone after debridement, and (ii) a second configuration having a second profile, wherein said second profile is smaller than said first profile.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first profile is larger than an inner diameter of an arthroscopic access cannula and said second profile is smaller than said inner diameter of said arthroscopic access cannula. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said body is elastic. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said body is formed out of a superelastic material. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and further wherein said arthroscopic debridement template is disposed at said distal end of said shaft. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said arthroscopic debridement template is pivotally mounted to said shaft. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising an actuator element extending proximally from said arthroscopic debridement template for adjusting the position of said arthroscopic debridement template relative to said shaft. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising an actuator element extending proximally from said arthroscopic debridement template for reconfiguring said arthroscopic debridement template. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said arthroscopic debridement template comprises a flexible tip disposed at said distal end of said shaft. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising an actuator element extending proximally from said arthroscopic debridement template for reconfiguring said arthroscopic debridement template between said first configuration and said second configuration. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  further comprising at least one light-emitting element carried by said flexible tip. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one light-emitting element is disposed on the inner surface of said arc. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one light-emitting element projects illumination in a direction perpendicular to the radius of curvature of said arc. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a plurality of fingers reconfigurable between (i) the first configuration, and (ii) the second configuration. 
     
     
         15 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for debriding a bone, said method comprising:
 providing apparatus comprising:
 an arthroscopic debridement template comprising a body reconfigurable between (i) a first configuration having a first profile and comprising an arc matching the desired curvature of the bone after debridement, and (ii) a second configuration having a second profile, wherein said second profile is smaller than said first profile; 
   configuring said arthroscopic debridement template in said second configuration;   advancing said arthroscopic debridement template to a debridement site;   reconfiguring said arthroscopic debridement template from said second configuration to said first configuration; and   debriding the bone using said arthroscopic debridement template for guidance.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein the body comprises a plurality of fingers reconfigurable between (i) the first configuration, and (ii) the second configuration. 
     
     
         25 .- 26 . (canceled)