APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF ARTHROSIS OR OSTEOARTHRITIS IN A JOINT OF A MAMMAL OR HUMAN PATIENT
A proposed treatment of arthrosis/osteoarthritis in a joint of a mammal or human patient involves deposing a liquid material on at least one damaged surface of the joint. To accomplish this, a reservoir ( 110 ) is provided, which holds a volume of a biocompatible material in liquid form outside of a body containing the joint (J) to be treated. A proximal end (P) of a tube-shaped instrument ( 120 ) is connected to the reservoir ( 110 ), and a distal end (D) of the instrument ( 120 ) is inserted into the joint (J). The liquid material is fed through the instrument ( 120 ) to the distal end (D) for deposition on the at least one damaged joint surface. The material is configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions (e.g. when cooling off, or being exposed to a specific type of radiation). When the material has the solid form, it has a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface.
1 . An apparatus for treatment of arthrosis in a joint of a mammal or human patient, the apparatus comprising:
a reservoir ( 110 ) configured to hold a volume of a biocompatible material in liquid form having a temperature higher than 100° C. outside of a body containing a joint (J) to be treated, and
an instrument ( 120 ) having a general tube shape, a distal end (D) of the instrument ( 120 ) being configured to be inserted into the joint (J), a proximal end (P) of the instrument ( 120 ) being connected to the reservoir ( 110 ) and configured to receive the liquid material there from, the instrument ( 120 ) being configured to feed the liquid material having a temperature higher than 100° C. from the proximal end (P) to the distal end (D) for deposition on at least one damaged surface(S) of the joint (J), such that adjacent nerves are damaged by the heat of the material thus preventing pain from the damaged surface, the material being configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions, and when in the solid form the material having a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface.
2 - 71 . (canceled)