# US 10,478,160 B1 · Technologies for cartilage harvesting

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- Number: US 10,478,160 B1
- Document ID: US10478160B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/494,327
- Filed: 2017-04-21
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-21
- Applicants: Christopher M. Mooney; Riley Joseph Williams, III
- Inventors: Christopher M. Mooney; Riley Joseph Williams, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478160B1

## CPC

- A61B 10/025: {for taking bone, bone marrow or cartilage samples}
- A61B 17/1604: {Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps}
- A61B 17/1617: {with mobile or detachable parts}
- A61B 17/1635: {for grafts, harvesting or transplants}
- A61B 17/1659: {Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers}
- A61B 2010/0208: {Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Various technologies for cartilage harvesting are provided. Some of the technologies include a method including coupling a cutting head onto an actuator; applying a force to the cutting head via the actuator; and cutting a cartilage with the cutting head based on the force. Some of the technologies include a method including coupling an adapter to a rotary tool, wherein the adapter adapts the rotary tool from a rotary power to an impact power; coupling a cutting head to the adapter; applying a force to the cutting head via the adapter; and cutting a cartilage with the cutting head based on the force. Some of the technologies include a device including a cutting head hosting a plug that is able to travel within the cutting head. Some of the technologies may include an extracted chondrocyte including a sidewall inclined from about five degrees to about twenty five degrees.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
coupling a cutting head onto an actuator, wherein the cutting head is coupled to the actuator via a shaft, wherein the shaft includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a disc portion, wherein the disc portion is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion is coupled to the actuator such that the first portion is not visible external to the actuator, wherein the disc portion engages the actuator such that the disc portion is visible external to the actuator, wherein the second end portion is fastened to the cutting head;
applying a force to the cutting head via the actuator; and
cutting a cartilage with the cutting head based on the force.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting head includes a plate, a tube, and a skirt, wherein the plate and the tube form a T-shape, wherein the skirt depends from the plate in a direction away from the tube such that the plate and the skirt define an open space, wherein the cutting includes positioning the cartilage within the open space.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the tube is coupled to the actuator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the tube is coupled to the actuator via fastening.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the plate defines a plurality of apertures such that the tube extends from the plate between the apertures.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the skirt includes an edge portion distal to the plate, wherein the edge portion is at least one of serrated, sharp, rectilinear, arcuate, not rectangular, or extends in a closed shape.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator is at least one of pneumatic or rotary.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator hosts an adapter that converts a rotary power to an impact power, wherein the force is based on the impact power.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting head includes a metal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the force is from about two impacts per second to about five hundred impacts per second.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cartilage is hosted via a subchondral bone.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
releasing the cartilage from the cutting head.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the releasing includes cutting the cartilage external to the cutting head while the cartilage is hosted via the cutting head.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cartilage includes at least one of an osteochondral allograft or a bone tissue.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cartilage includes at least one of an elastic cartilage, a hyaline cartilage, or a fibrocartilage.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cartilage is hosted in at least one of a rib cage, an ear, a nose, a bronchial tube, a trachea ring, or an intervertebral disc.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
pushing the cartilage out from the cutting head.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the pushing is via at least one of a plunger inserted into the cutting head, a plate of the cutting head moving away from the actuator, or a plug hosted within the cutting head.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting head is cylindrical.