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AssigneeZimmer Knee Creations, Inc.
InventorsPeter F. Sharkey, Charles F. Leinberry, Steven B. Cohen, Charanpreet S. Bagga, Erik M. Erbe
Estimating the term…
The embodiments provide provides devices, instruments, and associated methods for treating joint pain. A joint is evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any defects in the subchondral bone. For example, using T2-weighted MRI images, bone marrow lesions or edemas can be identified, and using T1-weighted MRI images, associated regions of sclerotic bone adjacent to the bone marrow lesion can be identified. The treatment method may involve introducing a bone void filler material at the site to address the bone marrow lesion or edema, and/or drilling and inserting an implant to address the sclerotic bone, bone marrow lesion or edema, and insufficiency or stress fractures. An access path is mapped to a location in the subchondral region where the insufficiency fracture resides. The access path attempts to preserve an articular surface of the joint. A reinforcing member that stabilizes the insufficiency fracture is then implanted via the access path.
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A method of subchondrally accessing an area in or adjacent to a bone marrow lesion in a subchondral region of a proximal tibia, the method comprising:
An instrument for guiding one or more tools to a subchondral region of a proximal tibia, the proximal tibia having an articular surface, the instrument comprising:
A method of subchondrally accessing a targeted delivery site in a subchondral region of a proximal tibia, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.