Methods of performing procedures in the spine
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are methods of accessing and treating the spine, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. A device is introduced through tissue, to an access point on the spine. The device is thereafter advanced axially within the spine, from the access point across a treatment zone. In one application, the access point is on the anterior surface of the spine, and, in another application, the access point is on the posterior surface of the spine. The lumen created through the spine across the treatment zone may be either substantially linear, or curved.
287 Citations
60 Claims
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1-47. -47. (canceled)
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48. A method of accessing the spine through a site on the anterior of the sacrum, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an access device through a tissue tract from the surface of the skin to a first site on the anterior of the sacrum;
advancing the access device along the anterior surface of the sacrum to a second site; and
entering the sacrum at the second site. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of positioning a linear access sheath from a paracoccygeal entrance point to the S2 vertebrae, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an access device through tissue in the paracoccygeal space;
advancing the distal end of the access device into contact with the sacrum;
sweeping the distal end along the anterior surface of the sacrum towards the S2 vertebrae, thereby displacing anatomical structures from the path of the access device; and
fixing the distal end of the access device with respect to the S2 vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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Specification