Patent ID: 9554838
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61F

Claim:
1. A method for reinforcing subchondral bone in a first bone adjacent a joint to try to prevent or delay the onset of a bone marrow edema in subchondral bone of the first bone, the first bone having articular cartilage, the subchondral bone occurring under the articular cartilage of the first bone, the method comprising: obtaining imaging of the first bone that is usable to determine if the imaging detects a defect in the subchondral bone, wherein the imaging obtained includes one or more types of imaging that each fail detect a defect in the subchondral bone, said one or more types of imaging including an MRI of the first bone; identifying an abnormality in the physicochemical environment of a subchondral region of the first bone through use of a biochemical analysis of the subchondral region of the first bone that is usable to determine if microenvironmental abnormalities exist in the subchondral region of the first bone, said abnormality including an abnormal osteocyte level; creating, despite the one or more types of imaging failing to detect a defect in the subchondral bone, an access path to the subchondral region of the first bone in a manner that preserves the articular cartilage of the first bone; and injecting an injectable material into the subchondral region of the first bone via the access path for reinforcing bone in the subchondral region of the first bone, wherein the access path is created using at least one of the following: (i) a mapping system that provides a set of coordinates for targeting a location in the subchondral region of the first bone; (ii) a guide instrument that provides a set of tool guiding portals for targeting a location in the subchondral region of the first bone; and (iii) a template for targeting a location in the subchondral region of the first bone.