The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 01, 2005
Filed:
Jan. 21, 2003
Applicant:
Brian Burkinshaw, Pflugerville, TX (US);
Inventor:
Brian Burkinshaw, Pflugerville, TX (US);
Assignee:
Zimmer Austin, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B017/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method for repairing defects in articular cartilage and, more particularly, to a new method for performing automated microfracture on subchondral bone to repair articular cartilage. The microfractured holes on the surface of the subchondral bone plate are formed with an automated process using a pneumatically driven orthopedic microfracture instrument. The instrument moves a fracture pin through the end of a guide tube until a sharp end of the fracture pin punctures or penetrates the subchondral bone plate and creates a microfracture or hole in the bone.