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DEVICES AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING A SPINAL REGION

  • US 20100114098A1
  • Filed: 07/13/2007
  • Published: 05/06/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for forming an arcuate channel in one or more segments of a bone, bony structure or vertebrae of a spine, the apparatus comprising:

  • a) an outer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a passageway extending therebetween;

    b) an advancer tube adapted and configured for being slidably received with the passageway of the outer cannula and having a central bore extending longitudinally from its proximal end to its distal end, the advancer tube being configured to have at least one preformed arcuate segment when in an unconstrained configuration, the advancer tube able to be constrained to a second configuration when inserted into the passageway of the outer cannula, and wherein the advancer tube returns to its unrestrained configuration when at least a portion of the tube is outside the passageway of the outer cannula; and

    c) a drill assembly which includes a drill bit and a drive cable, the drill bit being attached to the drive cable and operatively positioned proximate to the distal end of the advancer tube, the drive cable extending from the drill bit axially through the central bore of the advancer tube, wherein the drill bit and drive cable are rotationally movable with respect to the advancer tube and when the advancer tube is moved distally with respect to the outer cannula and at least a portion of the preformed arcuate segment of the advancer tube is in the unconstrained configuration, the drill bit moves distally and traverses an arcuate path.

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