Importance

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Abstract

A system for performing arthroscopic lavage, directed tissue drying, and the accurate placement of a biocompatible tissue scaffold for the adherence of autologous regenerated cells through a small single port of entry into a joint compartment. The system is comprised of a handpiece having valves for irrigation and suctioning and a dual valve swivel cannula attached to the handpiece. The system includes a mobile cart, high resolution camera, light source, optical coupler, high-resolution monitor, an air compressor to power individually controlled irrigation pumps to deliver irrigation fluid to a handpiece and a vacuum suction console to collect fluid. The system also includes an insufflator to maintain distension immediately following the lavage and to dry tissue in preparation for directed tissue scaffold and regenerative cell placement. The delivery system achieves accurate biocompatible tissue scaffold placement to a specific tissue site or sites within the joint utilizing a small diameter arthroscope for direct visualization while inserting and advancing a grasping instrument or device through one of two valves located on the cannula. While holding the tissue scaffold in the jaws of the grasping device, it is advanced through the cannula lumen and extended beyond the distal tip and placed on the dried tissue site. Removing the grasping device, a catheter is then inserted and advanced through a cannula valve into the lumen and extended beyond the distal tip to the scaffold placed and prepared tissue site. A means of applying torque to the catheter tip further enhances the ability for accurate, exact placement of cells to a specific scaffold receptive tissue site. The cells are then injected into and through the catheter and applied under direct visualization to the scaffold. As comprised, the small single-port system allows a physician to perform the diagnosis, clean the joint space of debris and degradative enzymes using pressurized irrigation and suction, followed by a rapid conversion from a sterile saline fluid distension media to a dry gas CO2 distension media and directed tissue drying, and the accurate placement of a biocompatible tissue scaffold for the adherence and accurate placement of regenerated cells through a catheter to a specific tissue site within a joint.

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First Claim