US4506673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Therapeutic treatment within joint capsules of the body
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
•
Filing: 1982-10-18
•
Granted: 1985-03-26
•
Expires: 2002-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for stimulating formation of tissue in a living being within a joint capsule includes the steps of: introducing at least a cathode terminal into the joint capsule from the exterior through a puncture in the flesh, under visual control of an arthroscope introduced into the joint capsule via a puncture in the flesh, juxtaposing the cathode terminal in close relationship to a region in the capsule where tissue growth is desired, positioning an anode terminal at a location remote from but in substantial electrical continuity, through body tissue, with the cathode terminal, and connecting an electric power supply between the anode and cathode terminals, the steps being adapted to cause electrical current to flow between the terminals in a manner to stimulate growth of tissue on the surface. A device for introduction into the joint capsule for stimulating formation of tissue according to the invention is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard J. Bonnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for stimulating formation of tissue in a living being within a joint capsule comprising the steps of: Providing means for conducting electrical current comprising at least an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, introducing at least the cathode terminal into said joint capsule from the exterior through a puncture in the flesh of the living being, under visual control of an arthroscope introduced into said joint capsule via a puncture in the flesh, juxtaposing said cathode terminal in close relationship to the region within said joint capsule where said tissue growth is desired, positioning said anode terminal at a location remote from but in substantial electrical continuity, through body tissue, with said cathode terminal. connecting an electric power supply means between said anode and cathode terminal, said steps being adapted to cause electrical current to flow between said terminals, through said region of the body to stimulate growth of tissue thereon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for stimulating formation of tissue in a living being within a joint capsule comprising the steps of: Providing means for conducting electrical current comprising at least an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, introducing at least the cathode terminal into said joint capsule from the exterior through a puncture in the flesh of the living being, under visual control of an arthroscope introduced into said joint capsule via a puncture in the flesh, juxtaposing said cathode terminal in close relationship to the region within said joint capsule where said tissue growth is desired, positioning said anode terminal at a location remote from but in substantial electrical continuity, through body tissue, with said cathode terminal. connecting an electric power supply means between said anode and cathode terminal, said steps being adapted to cause electrical current to flow between said terminals, through said region of the body to stimulate growth of tissue thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said anode terminal is also introduced into the joint capsule through a puncture in the flesh and is positioned arthroscopically at a location remote from relatively movable surfaces of said joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cathode terminal provides an array of conductive regions juxtaposed in face-to-face overlying relationship with a surface where formation of said tissue is desired.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said cathode terminal comprises means defining a preformed array of conductive regions introduced in a compacted state into said joint capsule through a puncture in the flesh of said living being, said method further comprising deploying said cathode terminal when within said joint capsule from the compacted state into said close relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said cathode terminal is of flexible, sheet form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said cathode terminal provides a protective covering to isolate a part of the body within said joint capsule.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said part of the body is a ligament and said protective covering is wrapped around the ligament to isolate said ligament.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said cathode terminal is an open, conductive grid having at least 75% open area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 wherein an array of conductive regions forming said cathode terminal is comprised of a multiplicity of separate elements, said method comprising assembling said array in situ within said joint capsule.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said method includes cutting or otherwise shaping said cathode terminal to approximate the shape of a defect upon which tissue growth is desired.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 or 3 comprising the further step of fastening said cathode terminal to a surface upon which said tissue growth is desired.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said fastening is provided by a biodegradable fastener.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 or 3 wherein said cathode terminal is of a biodegradable substance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 or 3 directed to growth of cartilaginous tissue within the joint capsule of a living being, the surface upon which said cartilaginous tissue is to be formed being the tibeal plateau, a condyle surface of the femur or the undersurface of the patella.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said surface of said joint upon which said cartilaginous tissue is to be formed is a load-bearing articular surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 14 wherein, prior to said steps, said surface upon which said cartilaginous tissue is to be formed is subjected to abrasion arthroplasty by which underlying vascularity is exposed by the action of a moving abrading element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 wherein after stimulation of growth of said tissue, the grown tissue is shaped by use of an arthroscopically guided, shaping instrument.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 applied to a torn meniscal cartilage in which the torn portion of the meniscus is first secured to the original base from which it has been torn and thereafter said cathode terminal is juxtaposed in close relationship to the region of tear to stimulate growth of tissue between said torn portion and said base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 in which a portion of cartilage such as the meniscal cartilage is excised and thereafter said cathode terminal is juxtaposed over the region formerly occupied by said excised portion of said cartilage, for stimulating growth of cartilaginous tissue in said region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18, or 19 wherein after stimulation of growth of said tissue, the grown tissue is shaped by use of an arthroscopically guided, shaping instrument.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrical power supply means comprises at least a battery and the method comprises the further steps of introducing said power supply means into said joint capsule from the exterior via a puncture in the flesh, and securing said power supply means under visual control of said arthroscope within the joint capsule.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 directed to growth of said tissue within the knee joint wherein said power supply means is positioned within the joint capsule of the knee in the suprapatellar pouch, alongside the quadriceps muscle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 21 or 22 comprising establishing the electric current at 20 microamps or less.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including applying said current to said region for an extended period of duration of less than about 10 weeks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which said joint is partially immobilized by use of a brace, without use of a cast.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU161472A1
Cited
US3654933A
Cited
US3890953A
Cited
US3842841A
Cited
US3893462B1
Cited
US3893462A
Cited
US4026304A
Cited
US3774618A
Cited
DE2347214A1
Cited
US3881495A
Cited
AU480202A
Cited
DE2552523A1
Cited
SU565665A1
Cited
SU554870A1
Cited
US4105017A
Cited
SU643156A1
Cited
US4306564A
Cited
SU665917A1
Cited
CH618610A5
Cited
SU668690A1
Cited
US4153060A
Cited
US4244373A
Cited
DD138275A1
Cited
SU736984A1
Cited
SU731975A1
Cited
GB2053687A
Cited
GB2054378A
Cited
US4308868A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |