Patent ID: 9445824
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A microfracture instrument for applying microfracture therapy to a bone, the microfracture instrument comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end and having a longitudinal axis extending from the distal end to the proximal end; a mount comprising an opening having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, wherein the mount is pivotally disposed at the distal end of the elongated shaft, the mount being configured to pivot relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft; and a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the elongated shaft, the drive shaft comprising a flexible distal end, the flexible distal end extending through the opening in the mount and supporting a drill element thereon, wherein the drill element comprises a sharp distal tip, a body and a longitudinal axis extending between the sharp distal tip and the body; wherein pivotally adjusting the mount relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft results in movement of the flexible distal end of the drive shaft and the drill element supported thereon so as to direct the drill element at a selected angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft, wherein the longitudinal axis of the opening of the mount is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the drill element; wherein rotational movement of the drive shaft is configured to move the drill element into the bone.