Orthopedic surgery access devices

• US 20050216018A1
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Soteira, Inc. (Globus Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sennett, Andrew R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/79
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1631 Special drive shafts, e.g. flexible shafts A61B17/1642, A61B17/164 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1642 for producing a curved bore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8805 for introducing fluid filler into bone or extracting it A61B17/7097, A61B17/8833 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8811 characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8816 characterised by the conduit, e.g. tube, along which fluid flows into the body or by conduit connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits

Abstract

The present invention provides instrumentation that facilitates access to both sides of the vertebral body from a single access point. More particularly, the present invention provides bendable access devices that can be steered so as to traverse the vertebral body from the point of entry into the vertebral body, through the cancellous bone within the vertebral body, and to the contralateral side of the vertebral body. This steerability is provided by forming the access device with a series of slots, grooves, or notches in the side of the access device near the distal end of the access device, which slots, grooves, or notches reduce the bending stiffness of the access device. As a result, the distal end of the access device bends as it is being advanced into the vertebral body.

Claims

1. A device for piercing the cortical wall and initiating access to the cancellous interior of a vertebral body via minimally invasive, percutaneous approach to the vertebral body, said device comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a first series of notches or slots in a side of said shaft near said distal end,

wherein said shaft has sufficient strength and rigidity, when restrained, to remain essentially straight and to pierce the cortical wall of said vertebral body, and

wherein bending stiffness of said shaft is reduced in the region of said first series of notches or slots such that, when said shaft is unrestrained, said distal end of said shaft assumes a curved configuration as said distal end is advanced into the cancellous bone of the vertebral body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is solid.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is hollow.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said distal end has a beveled tip which facilitates lateral, curving deflection of said distal end.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an actuating member extending along a side of said shaft.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said actuating member comprises a cable or wire that is tethered at said distal end, whereby pulling of said cable or wire in the direction of said proximal end causes lateral, curving deflection of said shaft.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second series of notches or slots in a side of said shaft near said distal end, said second series of notches or slots being circumferentially offset relative to said first series of notches or slots, whereby the distal end of said device is able to bend in multiple planes.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a thin-walled flexible membrane covering said first series of slots or notches.