Micro-invasive nucleotomy device and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing material from an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the apparatus comprising:
- a handpiece;
a cannula including a proximal end portion structured to be coupled to the handpiece and an open distal tip structured to be placed in a nucleus of an intervertebral disc of a body; and
a rotational element structured to be operatively coupled to a source of rotational energy, the rotational element disposed at least partially in the cannula and being structured to at least assist in drawing material from an intervertebral disc into the cannula.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for removing intervertebral disc material, particularly nucleus pulposus, from a patient is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism operatively coupled thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula adapted to be inserted into an intervertebral disc and having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with projections or threading, for example, having a substantially helical configuration. The distal portion of the rotatable element may extend beyond the open distal tip of the cannula. The apparatus is designed to urge or draw nucleus material into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element and preferably without the need for supplemental sources of suction or aspiration. The invention further provides a method for monitoring intervertebral disc pressure before, during and/or after a treatment procedure.
195 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removing material from an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the apparatus comprising:
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a handpiece;
a cannula including a proximal end portion structured to be coupled to the handpiece and an open distal tip structured to be placed in a nucleus of an intervertebral disc of a body; and
a rotational element structured to be operatively coupled to a source of rotational energy, the rotational element disposed at least partially in the cannula and being structured to at least assist in drawing material from an intervertebral disc into the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40)
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18. An apparatus for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the apparatus comprising:
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a handpiece;
a cannula, having an outer diameter of about 5 mm or less, and including a proximal end portion structured to be coupled to the handpiece and an open distal tip structured to be placed in a nucleus of an intervertebral disc of a human or animal; and
a rotational element structured to cooperate with the cannula in drawing intervertebral disc nucleus tissue into the open distal tip in response to rotation of the rotational element, the rotational element including a shaft and having distal portion extending beyond the open distal tip of the cannula, and a proximal end portion structured to be operatively coupled to a source of rotational energy.
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29. A method of removing material from an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing into a nucleus of an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal a cannula having an open, distal tip and a rotational element disposed at least partially in the cannula; and
rotating the rotational element relative to the cannula, thereby at least assisting in drawing a material from the nucleus of the intervertebral disc into the open distal tip of the cannula.
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37. A method of decompressing an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a cannula having an open distal tip within a nucleus of an intervertebral disc;
inserting, into the cannula, a rotational element; and
rotating the rotational element, thereby drawing tissue from the nucleus into the cannula.
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41. A method of treating an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a pressure within an intervertebral disc; and
treating the disc based at least in part on the measured pressure within the disc. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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47. A method for monitoring a condition of an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
measuring a pressure in an intervertebral disc after the disc has been surgically treated.
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52. A method for treating an intervertebral disc of a human or an animal, the method comprising:
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percutaneously removing material from an intervertebral disc through a cannula; and
introducing a disc replacement material into the intervertebral disc through said cannula. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54)
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Specification