Patent ID: 9510840
Filing Date: 2016-12-06
CPC Classification: A61B,F04C

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus comprising: a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, the cannula having a primary portion and a distal portion between the primary portion and the second end, the distal portion configured such that a second end of the channel is disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to a first end of the channel; a monolithic penetrator having an enlarged head, a pointed distal end, and a first transverse dimension of less than 1.2 millimeters (mm), the penetrator configured to be disposed in the channel of the cannula such that the penetrator is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the distal end extends beyond the second end of the cannula by a penetration distance of at least 5 mm that is limited by the enlarged head contacting the cannula; where the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position substantially without rotation of the penetrator to form in subchondral bone a microfracture having a depth of at least 5 mm; and where a portion of the penetrator is configured to flex to permit the distal end of the penetrator to align with the angle of the second end of the channel in the cannula as the penetrator moves between the retracted and extended positions.