| abstract |
A flexible 'scaffold envelope' (20, 40) can be used to replace damaged cartilage in knees, hips, shoulders, or other joints of a mammalian body. Designed for arthroscopic use, the envelope is flexible, so it can be rolled or folded, and inserted into a knee or other joint via a small incision. Before insertion, a segment of damaged cartilage is removed from a bone surface. The bone is prepared using various tools, and alignment guides disclosed herein. After the envelope is inserted into the joint, the scaffold envelope is unfolded, positioned, anchored, and cemented to the bone surface. The envelope is then filled, via an inlet tube, with a polymeric substance that will set and solidify at body temperature. Using these materials and methods a synthetic non-resorbable cartilage replacement is created, having a smooth surface, and non-rigid stiffness closely resembling natural cartilage. |