SURGICAL TOOLS AND KITS FOR CARTILAGE REPAIR USING PLACENTAL, AMNIOTIC, OR SIMILAR MEMBRANES

摘要

Surgical tools and kits are disclosed for repairing hyaline or meniscal cartilage, using membrane segments to protect and promote the growth and activity of cartilage-generating cells. These kits include: (i) a set of dilator tubes, adapted from similar tubes used in spinal surgery except shorter, that will allow a surgeon to progressively enlarge an insertion tunnel for inserting a membrane segment into an articulating joint that is being repaired; and, (ii) an assortment of membrane “tamping” devices, with smooth rounded “tamping heads” (or tips, etc.), and with a size and length that allow the tool tip to pass through the longest dilator tube while being held by the surgeon. Additional components (including disposable supplies) that can help facilitate these types of surgery can be included in any such kit, or in “supplemental” kits that can be bundled and shipped with these “primary” kits.