Inventors:
David Boudreault - Palo Alto CA, US
Vivek Shenoy - Redwood City CA, US
Hanson S. Gifford - Woodside CA, US
Mark Deem - Mountain View CA, US
Michael Hendricksen - Redwood City CA, US
Doug Sutton - Pacifica CA, US
Assignee:
The Foundry, LLC - Menlo Park CA
International Classification:
A61B 17/02
Abstract:
A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position.