US 12,295,592 B2
Tissue microfracture apparatus and methods of use
Lonnie E. Paulos, Pensacola Beach, FL (US)
Assigned to THE LONNIE AND SHANNON PAULOS TRUST (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED) F/K/A THE JAMES DIZIKIS TRUST, DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2008, Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed by THE LONNIE AND SHANNON PAULOS TRUST (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED) F/K/A THE JAMES DI, Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on Oct. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/481,684.
Application 18/481,684 is a continuation of application No. 17/305,532, filed on Jul. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,812,975.
Application 17/305,532 is a continuation of application No. 16/203,443, filed on Nov. 28, 2018, granted, now 11,058,434, issued on Jul. 13, 2021.
Application 16/203,443 is a continuation of application No. 12/937,397, granted, now 10,172,626, issued on Jan. 8, 2019, previously published as PCT/US2009/040581, filed on Apr. 14, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/045,144, filed on Apr. 15, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2024/0138851 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/1604 (2013.01) [A61B 2090/034 (2016.02)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a cannula having a first end, a primary portion extending from the first end to a distal portion, the distal portion extending from the primary portion to a second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the channel has a first transverse dimension between the first end and the second end and having a second transverse dimension at the second end that is smaller than the first transverse dimension, wherein the first transverse dimension is disposed at a point that is closer to the second end than to the first end, and wherein the distal portion is configured such that a terminal surface of the second end is disposed at an angle relative to a terminal surface of the first end; and
a penetrator having a distal end and a first transverse dimension, 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, wherein the penetrator is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position to form in subchondral bone a microfracture.