DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TISSUE MODIFICATION
First Claim
1. A method for selective surgical removal of tissue from a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising:
- advancing a tissue access instrument into a spine of a patient and toward a target tissue in a lateral recess of the spine from a first location, bending around at least part of the target tissue, and out of the patient from a second location, so that both ends of the tissue access instrument are external to the patient;
positioning a tissue modification device so that the tissue modification device forms a bend against the target tissue using the tissue access instrument; and
removing the target tissue with the tissue modification device to enlarge at least one of the lateral recess and neuroforaminal regions of the spine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. The sharp tip of the needle in the epidural space, can be converted to a blunt tipped instrument for further safe advancement. The current invention includes specific tools that enable safe tissue modification in the epidural space, including a barrier that separates the area where tissue modification will take place from adjacent vulnerable neural and vascular structures. A nerve stimulator may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for selective surgical removal of tissue from a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising:
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advancing a tissue access instrument into a spine of a patient and toward a target tissue in a lateral recess of the spine from a first location, bending around at least part of the target tissue, and out of the patient from a second location, so that both ends of the tissue access instrument are external to the patient; positioning a tissue modification device so that the tissue modification device forms a bend against the target tissue using the tissue access instrument; and removing the target tissue with the tissue modification device to enlarge at least one of the lateral recess and neuroforaminal regions of the spine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for selective surgical removal of tissue from a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising:
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advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, bending around the anterior aspect of a single facet joint complex of the spine, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen so that the tissue modification device forms a bend against the anterior aspect of the single facet joint complex using the wire; and removing tissue to enlarge at least one of the lateral recess and neuroforaminal regions of the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for selective surgical removal of tissue from a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising:
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advancing a wire into a patient and toward a target tissue in a lateral recess of the spine from a first location, bending around at least part of the target tissue, and out of the patient from a second location, so that both ends of the wire are external to the patient; pulling a tissue modification device so that it forms a bend against the target tissue using the wire; and removing the target tissue with the tissue modification device to enlarge at least one of the lateral recess and neuroforaminal regions of the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification