Abstract: An electrosurgical probe is provided to vaporize, cut, coagulate or remove tissue from a body structure. A method of surgically treating a mammal includes providing a surgical instrument including a length of shaft and an active electrode having a curved current density edge with at least one convex surface; and ablating a tissue surface with said surgical instrument.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 13, 2002
Publication date:
January 16, 2003
Applicant:
Oratec Interventions, Inc., a California corporation
Inventors:
Hugh R. Sharkey, Gary S. Fanton, John A. Ashley, J. Remberto Carranza
Abstract: Systems and methods are described for treating osteochondral pathologies. An implantable prosthesis for treating osteochondral pathologies includes: a porous substrate; and a substance positioned within the porous substrate that is elutable with regard to the porous substrate. The systems and methods provide advantages because a baited route is provided to attract mesenchymal stem cells from the cancellous bone underlying the articular surfaces up to chondral lesions within the joint, thereby promoting the growth of chondrocytes in the area of the chondral lesions.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 9, 2002
Publication date:
December 12, 2002
Applicant:
Oratec Interventions, Inc., a California corporation