RETRACTOR CANNULA SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING AND VISUALIZING SPINE AND RELATED METHODS
First Claim
1. A retractor cannula device comprising:
- a tubular assembly comprising at least one lumen configured to hold an endoscopic system; and
a retractor assembly located at the distal end of the tubular assembly, wherein the retractor assembly comprises a first element with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, and a second element with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, wherein the first and second elements comprise an optically transparent material and at least one of the elements is pivotable with respect to the tubular assembly, and wherein the retractor assembly further comprises a first closed configuration and a second open configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Retractor cannula systems may be used for accessing and visualizing the spine and related methods of treatment, including a forward-looking retractor cannula system for creating a working space and the retractor cannula system having atraumatic dissection capability to allow visualization in spine. The devices and methods described may be used, for example, to perform annulus repair, herniated disc excision, and denervation of neurological tissue; to dispense pharmacological agents and/or cell or tissue therapy agents; to diagnose disc degeneration and bony degeneration, spinal stenosis, and nucleus decompression, and to perform disc augmentation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A retractor cannula device comprising:
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a tubular assembly comprising at least one lumen configured to hold an endoscopic system; and a retractor assembly located at the distal end of the tubular assembly, wherein the retractor assembly comprises a first element with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, and a second element with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, wherein the first and second elements comprise an optically transparent material and at least one of the elements is pivotable with respect to the tubular assembly, and wherein the retractor assembly further comprises a first closed configuration and a second open configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for contacting and visualizing spinal tissue comprising:
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advancing an introducer cannula toward a spine; inserting an endoscope into a retractor cannula, wherein the retractor cannula comprises a tubular assembly comprising at least one lumen configured to hold an endoscope, and a retractor assembly located at the distal end of the tubular assembly, wherein the retractor assembly comprises a first element with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, and a second element with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, wherein the first and second elements comprise an optically transparent material and at least one of the elements is pivotable with respect to the tubular assembly, and wherein the retractor assembly further comprises a first closed configuration and a second open configuration; viewing surrounding structure through the optically transparent material of the first and second elements using the endoscope, while the retractor cannuls is the in the first closed configuration; and advancing the retractor cannula into and out of the introducer cannula in the first closed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification