# US 9,750,611 B2 · Method and system for knee joint repair > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,611 B2 - Document ID: US9750611B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/339,968 - Filed: 2014-07-24 - Published: 2014-11-13 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2005-02-22 - Applicants: Barry M. Fell - Inventors: Barry M. Fell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750611B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/3872: {Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces} - A61F 2/30756: {Cartilage endoprostheses (A61F2/3603 takes precedence)} - A61F 2/4618: {of cartilage} - A61B 17/8808: {with sealing collar for bone cavity} - A61F 2/30942: {for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, CT or NMR scans, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques} - A61F 2/38: for elbows or knees - A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive} - A61F 2002/3009: {Transparent or translucent} - A61F 2002/30581: {having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid} - A61F 2002/3068: {the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir} - A61F 2002/30754: {Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces} - A61F 2002/30757: {made of a sheet covering the natural articular surface, e.g. cap} - A61F 2002/30948: {using computerized tomography, i.e. CT scans} - A61F 2002/30971: {Laminates, i.e. layered products} - A61F 2002/4658: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61F 2002/467: {for measuring fluid pressure} - A61F 2002/4685: {by means of vacuum} - A61F 2210/0004: bioabsorbable - A61F 2250/0068: the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir - A61F 2250/0091: transparent or translucent - A61F 2310/00011: Metals or alloys - A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method and system for repairing a defect area in a surface of a joint include providing a mold having a first surface and a second surface, positioning the mold within the joint such that at least part of the mold first surface overlies the defect area, and depositing a repair material under the mold first surface within the defect area to create a repaired site within the joint. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for repairing a defect area in a surface of a knee joint, the method comprising: providing a balloon mold having a first surface and a second surface, wherein at least the first mold surface is rigid; collapsing the balloon mold for insertion into the joint; expanding the balloon mold inside the joint by filling the mold with one of gas or fluid; positioning the balloon mold within the joint such that a perimeter of the balloon mold surrounds the defect area and the balloon mold completely covers the defect area; depositing a repair material external to the balloon mold from under the mold first surface and within the defect area to create a repaired site within the joint, the repaired site including a restored joint surface formed from the deposited repair material; and removing the balloon mold from within the joint, thereby uncovering the defect area and restored joint surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising shaping the mold by contacting a healthy area of the joint surface with at least part of the mold first surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the mold includes removably attaching the mold to a healthy area of the joint surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising evacuating the joint via a vacuum port in communication with at least one of the first and second mold surfaces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising sensing filling of the defect area with the repair material via a sensor provided in the mold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising releasing substances into the joint from a reservoir within the mold. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein depositing the repair material includes injecting the repair material under pressure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein depositing the repair material includes introducing the repair material through the mold into the defect area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein depositing the repair material includes introducing the repair material through an underlying bone structure into the defect area. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second mold surfaces is arranged to contact a first joint surface, and the other of the first and second mold surfaces is arranged to contact a second, opposed joint surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising, after depositing the repair material, using the mold within the joint to provide shaping pressures to the repaired site. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising inserting a spacer prosthesis into the joint. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising examining the joint using a non-invasive imaging procedure to determine a shape of the mold. ### Claim 14 A method for repairing a defect area in a surface of a knee joint, the method comprising: providing a balloon mold having a first surface and a second surface, wherein at least the first mold surface is rigid; collapsing the balloon mold for insertion into the joint; expanding the balloon mold inside the joint by filling the mold with one of gas or fluid; positioning the balloon mold within the joint such that at least part of the mold first surface overlies the defect area; depositing a repair material external to the balloon mold through an underlying bone structure, under the mold first surface, and within the defect area to create a repaired site within the joint area, the repaired site including a restored joint surface formed from the deposited repair material; and removing the balloon mold from within the joint, thereby exposing the restored joint surface.