Orthopedic apparatus for controlled contraction of collagen tissue

Abstract

An orthopedic apparatus, for effecting a change in ligaments, joint capsules and connective tissue through the controlled contraction of collagen fibers, includes a trocar. The trocar has a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis, and a trocar proximal end. An electrode is positioned at the trocar distal end. The electrode delivers substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode. The energy delivery surface is positioned next to an area of collagen fibers to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers. A handle is positioned at the proximal end of the trocar. The handle includes an actuating member and a locking member. The actuating member has a resting position and one or more activation positions that cause the trocar distal end to become laterally deflected to a desired position of deflection. The locking member has a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place. Further, the locking member is releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to one that is intermediate between the two in order to modify the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end. The distal end's deflection can be readily adjusted and can return to a non-deflected position. The handle can be held in one hand, and the actuating and locking members each operable by a thumb and a finger of the hand.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An orthopedic apparatus for effecting a change in ligaments, joint capsules and connective tissue through the controlled contraction of collagen fibers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a trocar including a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis and a trocar proximal end;    an electrode positioned at the trocar distal end, the electrode delivering substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode to an area of collagen fibers adjacent to the energy delivery surface to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers; and    a handle positioned at the proximal end of the trocar, the handle including an actuating member and a locking member, the actuating member having a resting position and one or more activation positions that cause the trocar distal end to become laterally deflected to a desired position of deflection, the locking member having a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place, the locking member being releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to an intermediate position to hold the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end, wherein the handle can be held in one hand and the actuating member and the locking member are each operable by one hand.    
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode has radiused edges.  
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode has no square edges.  
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an insulating layer positioned around an exterior of the trocar that does not cover the energy delivery surface of the electrode.    
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a non-conductive layer positioned on an opposite side of the electrode from the energy delivery surface of the electrode.    
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a shrink tube surrounding the trocar that does not cover the energy delivery surface of the electrode.    
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the trocar is serrated.  
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the trocar is made of a memory metal.  
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trocar is made of a memory metal.  
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trocar extends into an interior of the handle.  
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the actuating member is coupled to the trocar.  
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the locking member is coupled to the trocar.  
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating member is pivotally coupled to the handle.  
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating member pivots in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle.  
     
     
         15 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is slideably positioned on an exterior surface of the handle.  
     
     
         16 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a coupler positioned at the trocar proximal end.    
     
     
         17 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a cable connector positioned at a proximal end of the handle.    
     
     
         18 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is an RF electrode.  
     
     
         19 . The orthopedic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a microwave electrode.  
     
     
         20 . An orthopedic apparatus for effecting a change in ligaments, joint capsules and connective tissue through the controlled contraction of collagen fibers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a trocar including a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis and a trocar proximal end;    an RF electrode positioned at the trocar distal end, the electrode delivering substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode to an area of collagen fibers adjacent to the energy delivery surface to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers; and    a handle positioned at the proximal end of the trocar, the handle including an actuating member and a locking member, the actuating member having a resting position and one or more activation positions that cause the trocar distal end to become laterally deflected to a desired position of deflection, the locking member having a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place, the locking member being releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to an intermediate position to hold the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end, wherein the handle can be held in one hand and the actuating member and the locking member are each operable by one hand;    an RF energy source; and    a cable to connect the RF energy source to the handle and the electrode.    
     
     
         21 . An orthopedic apparatus for effecting a change in ligaments, joint capsules and connective tissue through the controlled contraction of collagen fibers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a trocar including a trocar elongated body with a trocar longitudinal axis, a trocar distal end that is laterally deflectable relative to the trocar longitudinal axis and a trocar proximal end;    a microwave electrode positioned at the trocar distal end, the electrode delivering substantially uniform energy across an energy delivery surface of the electrode to an area of collagen fibers adjacent to the energy delivery surface to cause a controlled amount of contraction of the collagen fibers while minimizing dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers; and    a handle positioned at the proximal end of the trocar, the handle including an actuating member and a locking member, the actuating member having a resting position and one or more activation positions that cause the trocar distal end to become laterally deflected to a desired position of deflection, the locking member having a resting position and a locking position that locks the deflected trocar distal end in place, the locking member being releasable from the locking position to the resting position or to an intermediate position to hold the activation position of the actuating member and change the deflection of the trocar distal end, wherein the handle can be held in one hand and the actuating member and the locking member are each operable by one hand;    a microwave energy source; and    a cable to connect the microwave energy source to the handle and the electrode.