Methods, systems, and apparatus for implanting prosthetic devices into cartilage

A method of implanting a polycarbonate polyurethane prosthetic acetabulum into a hip joint of a patient, comprising:

• gaining access to a natural acetabulum of the patient, the natural acetabulum comprising a first outer portion for articulating engagement with a femoral head of the patient, the first outer portion formed of articular cartilage, the natural acetabulum further comprising a second inner portion adjacent the first outer portion, the second inner portion formed of bone;
• removing a portion of the articular cartilage of the first outer portion without damaging any bone of the second inner portion to create at least one first anchoring structure within the articular cartilage, the at least one first anchoring structure shaped to mate with at least one second anchoring structure of the prosthetic acetabulum;
• and
• engaging the prosthetic acetabulum with the first outer portion of the acetabulum such that an outer engagement surface of the prosthetic acetabulum engages the first outer portion of the acetabulum via a liquid adhesion bond and the at least one second anchoring structure of the prosthetic acetabulum engages the at least one first anchoring structure in the articular cartilage, wherein the engagement of the at least second anchoring structure of the prosthetic acetabulum prevents unwanted rotation of the prosthetic acetabulum relative to the first outer portion of the natural acetabulum and the liquid adhesion between the prosthetic acetabulum and the first outer portion prevents unwanted separation of the prosthetic acetabulum from the first outer portion.

A method of implanting a flexible prosthetic acetabular cup into a patient, comprising:

• gaining access to the acetabulum of the patient, the acetabulum comprising an inner portion formed of bone and an outer portion formed of articular cartilage;
• determining whether the articular cartilage of the outer portion is suitable for receiving the flexible prosthetic acetabular cup;
• engaging an anchoring portion of a tool with the articular cartilage and rotating a cutting portion of the tool about a longitudinal axis of the tool relative to the anchoring portion to form a recess in the articular cartilage without removing any portion of the bone from the inner portion of the acetabulum, the recess shaped to mate with an engagement structure of the flexible prosthetic acetabular cup and having a depth between about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm;
• and
• securing the flexible prosthetic acetabular cup to the articular cartilage, including positioning the engagement structure of the flexible prosthetic acetabular cup into the recess in the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum.