Suture-based orthopedic joint device delivery methods
AssigneeArticulinx, Inc.
InventorsDavid White, Janine C. Robinson, Michael Hogendijk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and treatments for various joint conditions include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a suture. The suture is passed through the joint space and used to pull the orthopedic device into the joint space. The suture may be using a percutaneously inserted needle or other type of needle-based delivery instrument. The resilient elongate orthopedic device may be restrained to a reduced profile that permits minimally invasive implantation, but assume an enlarged profile when positioned at an implantation site.
Claims14
A method of implanting an orthopedic device in a patient, comprising:
- inserting a needle through a first joint capsule opening of a joint space located at a dorsal side of a carpo-metacarpal joint;
- passing the needle with an attached suture across the joint space and piercing through tissue to form a second joint capsule opening located at an opposite palmar side of the carpo-metacarpal joint, wherein the second joint capsule opening is smaller than the first joint capsule opening;
- pulling a resilient orthopedic device into the joint space using the suture, wherein the resilient orthopedic device comprises a first end, a second end, and a body therebetween having an elongate arcuate configuration;
- separating at least a portion of the suture from the resilient orthopedic device;
- and
- removing at least a portion of the suture from the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.