ACCESS AND TISSUE MODIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method of placing an inner spinous distractor within a body using a pullwire having a tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end, the method comprising:
- extending a pullwire across an inner spinous ligament between two spinous processes so that the proximal end of the pullwire extends from a first position outside of the body, and the distal end of the pull wire extends from a second position outside of the body; and
pulling the distal end of the pullwire to pull a spinous process distractor from the first position into the inner spinous ligament between the two spinous processes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are methods and systems for precisely placing and/or manipulating devices within the body by first positioning a guidewire or pullwire through the body from a first location, around a curved pathway, and out of the body through a second location, so that the distal and proximal ends of the guidewire extend from the body, then pulling a device into position using the guidewire. The device to be positioned within the body is coupled to the proximal end of the guidewire, and the device is pulled into the body by pulling on the distal end of the guidewire that extends from the body. The device may be bimanually manipulated by pulling the guidewire distally, and an attachment to the device that extends proximally, allowing control of both the proximal and the distal ends. In this manner devices (and particularly implants such as innerspinous distracters, stimulating leads, and disc slings) may be positioned and/or manipulated within the body. Devices to modify tissue may also be positioned or manipulated so that a target tissue within the body is modified.
205 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of placing an inner spinous distractor within a body using a pullwire having a tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end, the method comprising:
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extending a pullwire across an inner spinous ligament between two spinous processes so that the proximal end of the pullwire extends from a first position outside of the body, and the distal end of the pull wire extends from a second position outside of the body; and pulling the distal end of the pullwire to pull a spinous process distractor from the first position into the inner spinous ligament between the two spinous processes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of placing an inner spinous distractor within a body using a pullwire having a tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end, the method comprising:
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inserting a curved, cannulated probe between two spinous processes so that the tip of the probe extends in a curved pathway through the inner spinous ligament; extending a pullwire through the probe so that a distal end of the pullwire extends out of the body while the proximal end extends from the body proximally; removing the probe while leaving the pullwire in position across the spinous ligament; and pulling the distal end of the pullwire to pull a spinous process distractor between the two spinous processes.
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11. An system for inner spinous distraction, the system comprising:
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an inner spinous distractor configured to be pulled into position through the inner spinous ligament between two spinous processes and to distract the two spinous processes; a pullwire having a tissue-penetrating distal end and a coupler at the proximal end, the coupler configured to couple to the inner spinous distractor so that the pullwire may be used to pull the inner spinous distractor into position; and a cannulated probe having a curved distal end, the probe configured to position the pullwire between two spinous processes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of implanting a lead for electrical stimulation adjunct to a target nerve tissue, the method comprising:
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extending a pullwire adjacent to the target nerve tissue so that the proximal end of the pullwire extends from a first position outside of the body, and the distal end of the pull wire extends from a second position outside of the body; coupling the distal end of the lead to the proximal end of the pullwire; and pulling the distal end of the pullwire to pull an electrical lead from the first position so that the lead is adjacent to the target nerve tissue. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electrical lead for pain management configured to be pulled into position distally and anchored distally and proximally, the device comprising:
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an elongate body having a distal coupling region configured to couple to the proximal end of a pullwire; a first anchoring element at the distal end configured to anchor the lead within the body; a second anchoring element at the proximal end configured to anchor the lead within the body; and a plurality of electrical contacts located between the proximal and distal anchors. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A system for positioning and anchoring an electrical lead relative to a patient'"'"'s spinal nerves, the system comprising:
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an electrical lead comprising a distal connector configured to be used to distally pull the lead adjacent to a target spinal nerve tissue; a pullwire having a tissue-penetrating distal end and a coupler at the proximal end, the coupler configured to couple to the distal connector of the electrical lead so that the pullwire may be used to pull the electrical lead into position; and a cannulated probe having a curved distal end, the probe configured to position the pullwire adjacent to the target spinal nerve tissue. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method of fusing a facet joint using a bimanual treatment device, the method comprising:
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extending a pullwire between two spinous processes so that the proximal end of the pullwire extends from a first position outside of the body, and the distal end of the pull wire extends from a second position outside of the body; coupling the distal end of a facet joint modifying treatment device to the proximal end of the pullwire; pulling the distal end of the pullwire to pull the facet joint modifying treatment device from the first position so that the facet joint modifying treatment device is adjacent to the facet joint; and reciprocating the facet joint modifying treatment device by pulling distally on the pullwire and proximally on the facet joint modifying treatment device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification