PERCUTANEOUS SPINAL STENOSIS TREATMENT
First Claim
1. A method for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the method comprising:
- percutaneously advancing a distal portion of a tissue removal cannula into the ligamentum flavum tissue;
uncovering a side-opening aperture disposed on the distal portion of the cannula to expose a tissue cutter disposed in the cannula; and
cutting ligamentum flavum tissue using the tissue cutter while the aperture is uncovered.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis may involve percutaneously advancing a distal portion of a tissue removal cannula into the ligamentum flavum tissue, uncovering a side-opening aperture disposed on the distal portion of the cannula to expose a tissue cutter disposed in the cannula, and cutting ligamentum flavum tissue using the tissue cutter while the aperture is uncovered. A device for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis may include a cannula including a side-facing aperture, an aperture cover slidably coupled with the cannula and configured to advance and retract to cover and uncover the aperture, and a tissue cutter slidably disposed within the cannula and configured to extend through the aperture to cut ligamentum flavum tissue.
247 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the method comprising:
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percutaneously advancing a distal portion of a tissue removal cannula into the ligamentum flavum tissue;
uncovering a side-opening aperture disposed on the distal portion of the cannula to expose a tissue cutter disposed in the cannula; and
cutting ligamentum flavum tissue using the tissue cutter while the aperture is uncovered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the method comprising:
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percutaneously advancing a distal portion of a tissue removal cannula into the ligamentum flavum tissue;
activating at least a first nerve stimulator coupled with the distal portion of the cannula;
monitoring for response to the activation;
uncovering a side-opening aperture disposed on the distal portion of the cannula to expose a tissue engaging member disposed in the cannula;
engaging ligamentum flavum tissue with the tissue engaging member; and
cutting ligamentum flavum tissue with a tissue cutter disposed in or on the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the method comprising:
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coupling a flexible distal portion of a tissue removal cannula with one end of a guidewire;
pulling the flexible distal portion into the ligamentum flavum tissue by pulling the guidewire;
uncovering a side-opening aperture disposed on the distal portion of the cannula to expose a tissue cutter disposed in the cannula; and
cutting ligamentum flavum tissue using the tissue cutter. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the method comprising:
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percutaneously advancing a flexible distal portion of a tissue removal device into at least one of an epidural space or a ligamentum flavum of the spine;
activating an energy delivery member disposed on or in the distal portion of the tissue removal device; and
cutting ligamentum flavum tissue with the activated energy delivery member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the device comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end, a tissue-penetrating distal end, and a side-facing aperture closer to the distal end than the proximal end;
an aperture cover slidably coupled with the cannula and configured to advance and retract to cover and uncover the aperture; and
a tissue cutter slidably disposed within the cannula and configured to cut ligamentum flavum tissue through the aperture while the aperture is uncovered. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A device for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the device comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end, a tissue-penetrating distal end, and a side-facing aperture closer to the distal end than the proximal end;
a tissue-engaging member disposed within the cannula and adapted to engage tissue via the aperture;
an aperture cover slidably coupled with the cannula and configured to advance and retract to cover and uncover the aperture, the cover having a sharp, tissue cutting edge to cut tissue engaged by the tissue-engaging member; and
a nerve stimulation member coupled with the cannula adjacent or near the aperture.
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36. A device for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the device comprising:
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an elongate body having a proximal portion, a flexible distal portion, and a side-facing aperture disposed on the distal portion, wherein the distal portion is configured to be passed percutaneously into at least one of an epidural space or a ligamentum flavum of the spine; and
an energy delivery member disposed within the elongate body and configured to extend through the aperture to cut ligamentum flavum tissue. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A system for percutaneously removing ligamentum flavum tissue in a spine to treat spinal stenosis, the system comprising:
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a tissue removal device, comprising;
an elongate body having a proximal portion, a flexible distal portion, and a side-facing aperture disposed on the distal portion, wherein the distal portion is configured to be passed percutaneously into at least one of an epidural space or a ligamentum flavum of the spine; and
an energy delivery member disposed within the elongate body and configured to extend through the aperture to cut ligamentum flavum tissue; and
an energy source removably couplable with the tissue removal device for supplying energy to the energy delivery member. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification