Patent ID: 7867232
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A set of instruments for the repair of damaged cartilage at a bone site and comprising: a reaming device for forming a narrow groove at or on the surface of the bone site so as to surround damaged cartilage which is to be repaired, in which the device comprises: a tube having a cutting edge at one end; a guide rod and a guide cylinder mounted internally of the tube to guide the reaming device; a point at one end of the rod to engage the damaged bone tissue and thereby determine the location of the narrow groove formed by the cutting edge of the reaming device; a cartilage removal device for removing damaged cartilage enclosed by the narrow groove and thereby define a space in which a pad of replacement material can be fitted, said cartilage removal device being a separate instrument to the reaming device; a guard engagable in said narrow groove in order to cooperate with said cartilage removal device, the guard being a separate instrument to the reaming device; and a tubular pusher device for anchoring retaining means to the bone site so as to retain the pad of replacement material at the site, said pusher device being a separate instrument to the reaming device and having a wall thickness sufficiently thin to enable it to be pushed into the groove and operative to press part of the retaining means into said narrow groove and thereby retain the pad of replacement material in position.