Surgical instrument and method of use for facilitating positioning of an osteochondral plug

A surgical instrument for positioning an osteochondral plug within a bone defect site, the surgical instrument comprising:

• an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the elongate shaft being configured to contact an osteochondral plug;
• a ribbon extending along the elongate shaft and forming a loop at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein when in use, the loop is sized to secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end of the elongate shaft;
• an elongate sleeve having proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate sleeve surrounds the elongate shaft, and facilitates holding the ribbon in place relative to the elongate shaft;
• and
• a locking mechanism disposed near the proximal end of the elongate shaft for securing the ribbon to the elongate shaft when in a locked position.

A method of grasping an osteochondral plug, the method comprising:

• employing a surgical instrument comprising:
• an elongate shaft with proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the elongate shaft being configured to contact an osteochondral plug;
• a ribbon extending along the elongate shaft and forming a loop at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein when in use, the loop is sized to receive the osteochondral plug;
• and
• a locking mechanism disposed near the proximal end of the elongate shaft for locking the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft;
• placing the osteochondral plug within the loop of the ribbon;
• pulling one end of the ribbon to adjust a length of the ribbon and thereby size of the loop to tighten the loop around the osteochondral plug;
• and
• engaging the locking mechanism to secure the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft and thereby secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

A method of positioning an osteochondral plug within a bone defect site, the method comprising:

• obtaining a surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft including proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the elongate shaft being configured to contact an osteochondral plug, a ribbon extending along the elongate shaft and forming a loop at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the loop being sized to secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a locking mechanism disposed near the proximal end of the elongate shaft for locking the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft and fixing the size of the loop, thereby securing the osteochondral plug to the distal end of the elongate shaft of the surgical instrument;
• employing the surgical instrument to implant the osteochondral plug within the bone defect;
• after implanting the osteochondral plug, cutting the ribbon and releasing the osteochondral plug from the loop;
• and
• removing the ribbon from the bone defect, and leaving the osteochondral plug.

A method of fabricating a surgical instrument for facilitating the positioning of an osteochondral plug within a bone defect site, the method comprising:

• providing an elongate shaft with proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the elongate shaft being configured to contact an osteochondral plug;
• providing a ribbon extending along the elongate shaft and forming a loop at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein when in use, the loop is sized to receive the osteochondral plug;
• providing an elongate sleeve having proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the elongate sleeve surrounding the elongate shaft, and facilitating holding the ribbon in placed during the implanting of the osteochondral plug;
• and
• providing a locking mechanism disposed adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft for selectively locking the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft.