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US6068628A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for treating chondromalacia

Assignee: Oratec Interventions Inc
•
Filing: 1996-08-20
•
Granted: 2000-05-30
•
Expires: 2016-08-20
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Abstract

Abstract A thermal energy delivery apparatus has a probe including a distal end and a proximal end. A first electrode is positioned at the distal end of the probe such that the electrode is positioned on a recessed longitudinal portion of the probe. The first electrode is configured to deliver sufficient thermal energy to a fibrillated cartilage surface to reduce a level of fibrillation of the fibrillated cartilage surface. A cabling is coupled to the proximal end of the probe.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gary Fanton
  • 👤 Hugh Sharkey

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 14:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N7/00; A61N7/02; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61B17/3203; A61B18/1442; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/320072; A61B2017/320078; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 107 words
A thermal energy delivery apparatus comprising: a distal portion having longitudinal surfaces extending distally to a distal end, a portion of the longitudinal surfaces including a recessed portion such that the recessed portion is positionable adjacent a fibrillated cartilage joint surface; and a electrode positioned within the recessed portion at a first depth which when the recessed portion is positioned adjacent fibrillated cartilage tissue of a joint surface is (a) less than a depth where fibrils extending from the fibrillated cartilage tissue would not be able to contact the electrode, and (b) greater than a depth where the electrode would contact the cartilage tissue underlying the fibrils.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 107 words
A thermal energy delivery apparatus comprising: a distal portion having longitudinal surfaces extending distally to a distal end, a portion of the longitudinal surfaces including a recessed portion such that the recessed portion is positionable adjacent a fibrillated cartilage joint surface; and a electrode positioned within the recessed portion at a first depth which when the recessed portion is positioned adjacent fibrillated cartilage tissue of a joint surface is (a) less than a depth where fibrils extending from the fibrillated cartilage tissue would not be able to contact the electrode, and (b) greater than a depth where the electrode would contact the cartilage tissue underlying the fibrils.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cabling coupled to the proximal end of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode positioned on the apparatus such that the first electrode delivers energy through the fibrils adjacent the first electrode to the second electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned on opposite sides of the apparatus to minimize damage to the cartilage tissue underlying the fibrils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a bipolar device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a monopolar device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned at the distal end of the probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a thermal energy source coupled to the first electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 79 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a sensor positioned at the distal end of the apparatus; a comparator configured for comparing a measured temperature value at the sensor with a predetermined temperature value and generating a disabling signal if the measured temperature value exceeds the predetermined maximum temperature value; and a communication means for communicating the disabling signal to the thermal energy source to cease further delivery of energy from the thermal energy source to the first electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal energy source is selected from the group consisting of RF, microwave, resistive heating, ultrasound, coherent light, incoherent light and liquid thermal jet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the apparatus is sized to contract a joint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the apparatus is sized to contract an articulated joint.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-05-30 2003-11-29 2004-05-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-05-30 2007-11-29 2008-05-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-05-30 2011-11-29 2012-05-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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