SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING A SPINE THROUGH A SINGLE VERTEBRAL BODY INSERTION POINT
First Claim
1. A method for treating a spine of a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting a distal end of a guide cannula into a first vertebral body of the spine, the guide cannula defining a linear lumen, and wherein;
the first vertebral body is connected to a second, immediately adjacent vertebral body by a first disc, the first disc including an annulus and a nucleus, and bounded by a first end plate formed by the first vertebral body and a second end plate formed by the second vertebral body;
inserting a distal segment of an access needle into the guide cannula lumen, wherein the distal segment terminates at a distal tip and has a shape memory characteristic naturally assuming a curved shape in longitudinal extension, and further wherein the guide cannula forces the distal section to deflect from the curved shape toward a straightened shape when the distal segment is within the lumen;
distally advancing the distal segment from the distal end and into bone structure of the first vertebral body, wherein at least a portion of the access needle distal segment distal the guide cannula distal end naturally reverts toward the curved shape;
further distally advancing the access needle relative to the guide cannula, including the distal tip progressing through the bone structure and the first end plate of the first vertebral body; and
altering a structure of the spine by at least one of;
delivering a curable material into the second vertebral body through the access needle,operating a cavity forming device delivered through a channel created by the access needle to form a cavity in the second vertebral body, andremoving a portion of the nucleus through the access needle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for treating a spine include inserting a distal end of a cannula into a vertebral body. A distal segment of an access needle is inserted into the cannula lumen. The distal segment terminates at a distal tip and has a shape memory characteristic naturally assuming a curved shape in longitudinal extension. The cannula forces the distal section to deflect from the curved shape toward a straightened shape. The distal segment is distally advanced into bone structure of the vertebral body and naturally reverts toward the curved shape. With further distal advancement, the distal tip progresses through an end plate of the vertebral body. Finally, a structure of the spine is altered in at least one of: delivering a curable material, creating a cavity, or aspirating nucleus material.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for treating a spine of a patient, the method comprising:
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inserting a distal end of a guide cannula into a first vertebral body of the spine, the guide cannula defining a linear lumen, and wherein; the first vertebral body is connected to a second, immediately adjacent vertebral body by a first disc, the first disc including an annulus and a nucleus, and bounded by a first end plate formed by the first vertebral body and a second end plate formed by the second vertebral body; inserting a distal segment of an access needle into the guide cannula lumen, wherein the distal segment terminates at a distal tip and has a shape memory characteristic naturally assuming a curved shape in longitudinal extension, and further wherein the guide cannula forces the distal section to deflect from the curved shape toward a straightened shape when the distal segment is within the lumen; distally advancing the distal segment from the distal end and into bone structure of the first vertebral body, wherein at least a portion of the access needle distal segment distal the guide cannula distal end naturally reverts toward the curved shape; further distally advancing the access needle relative to the guide cannula, including the distal tip progressing through the bone structure and the first end plate of the first vertebral body; and altering a structure of the spine by at least one of; delivering a curable material into the second vertebral body through the access needle, operating a cavity forming device delivered through a channel created by the access needle to form a cavity in the second vertebral body, and removing a portion of the nucleus through the access needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A kit for treating a spine of a patient via a single access point in a vertebral body of the spine, the kit comprising:
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a guide cannula having a linear lumen; a plurality of access needles each sized to be slidably received within the lumen and each including a distal segment terminating at a distal tip, the distal segment having a shape memory characteristic naturally assuming a curved shape in longitudinal extension; wherein the distal segment of a first one of the access needles differs from the distal segment of a second one of the access needles in terms of at least one of length and radius of curvature. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification