Spinal Decompression Method Using Tissue Retraction
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating stenosis in a spine comprises percutaneously accessing the epidural space in a stenotic region of interest, compressing the thecal sac in the region of interest to form a safety zonem, inserting a tissue removal tool into tissue in the working zone, using the tool to percutaneously reduce the stenosis; and utilizing imaging to visualize the position of the tool during at least a part of the reduction step. A tissue excision system for performing percutaneous surgery, comprises a cannula comprising a tissue-penetrating member having a distal end defining an aperture on one side thereof, an occluding member slidably received on or in the cannula and closing the aperture when the occluding member is adjacent the cannula distal end, means for engaging adjacent tissue via the aperture, and cutting means for resecting a section of the engaged tissue.
184 Citations
28 Claims
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1-17. -17. (canceled)
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23. A method for treating stenosis in a spine, the spine including a thecal sac and a canal and an epidural space therebetween, the stenosis determining a region of interest in the spine, comprising the steps of:
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a) percutaneously accessing the epidural space in the region of interest;
b) compressing the thecal sac in the region of interest by injecting a fluid to form a safety zone and establish a working zone, the safety zone lying between the workings zone and the thecal sac;
c) inserting a tissue removal tool into tissue in the working zone;
d) using the tool to percutaneously reduce the stenosis by;
di) providing an anchor having first and second tissue-engaging ends;
dii) engaging the ligamentum flavum with said first tissue-engaging end;
diii) using said engaged first end to pull at least a portion of the ligamentum flavum into a desired position; and
div) using said second tissue-engaging end to anchor said anchor such that said ligamentum flavum is retained in a desired position; and
e) utilizing imaging to visualize the position of the tool during at least a part of step d). - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28-39. -39. (canceled)
Specification