Apparatus and Methods for Separating Internal Bone Fixation Device from Introducer

• US 20130013009A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illuminoss Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illuminoss Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Colleran, Dennis P., Rabiner, Robert A., Dye, Justin G., Chang, Narissa Y., Morin, Joshua M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,101,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7097 Stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant, e.g. balloon; devices for inserting or filling such implants disc prostheses made of inflatable chambers or pockets filled with fluid A61F2/441; replacing the nucleus pulposus A61F2002/444
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7275 with expanding cylindrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8863 Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer are disclosed herein. A device for separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer includes a functional portion having an outer shaft surrounding and controlling operation of a cutting mechanism; and a control portion having an actuating mechanism for initiating activation of the outer shaft.

Claims

1. A device for separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer comprising:

a functional portion having an outer shaft surrounding and controlling operation of a cutting mechanism; and

a control portion having an actuating mechanism for initiating activation of the outer shaft.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer shaft surrounds a portion of the cutting mechanism.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer shaft includes an opening in a sidewall for engaging the cutting mechanism.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutting mechanism contours at a top surface for receiving the outer shaft and contours at a bottom surface for positioning over the introducer.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutting mechanism includes a base section diverging into at least two arm sections.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein a distal end of each arm section has an inner radial surface composed of a cutting blade.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the base section is composed of a flexible shaft.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the outer shaft is flexible.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the flexible outer shaft surrounds the flexible shaft of the cutting mechanism.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the control portion engages the outer shaft of the functional portion.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein a distal end of the control portion engages the flexible outer shaft of the functional portion and the flexible shaft of the cutting mechanism.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein activation of the actuating mechanism translates the outer shaft distally along the cutting mechanism, thereby pushing the cutting mechanism inwards to separate the internal bone fixation device from the introducer.

13. A device for separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer comprising:

a functional portion having a cutting mechanism positioned to slide along a bottom surface of a housing, the housing sized and shaped for positioning around the introducer; and

a control portion having a connector for engaging the cutting mechanism and an actuating mechanism for initiating activation of the cutting mechanism.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the housing includes a top surface having an opening accepting the connector and allowing movement of the connector within the housing, and a distal end having an opening accepting the introducer and allowing movement of the cutting mechanism along the housing.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein activation of the actuating mechanism translates the control portion distally within the opening of the housing, thereby moving the cutting mechanism along the bottom surface of the housing in a distal direction to separate the internal bone fixation device from the introducer.

16. A method of separating an internal bone fixation device from an introducer comprising:

providing a cutting device, the cutting device comprising;

a functional portion having an outer shaft surrounding and controlling operation of a cutting mechanism; and

a control portion having an actuating mechanism for initiating activation of the outer shaft;

positioning the functional portion of the cutting device over the introducer, wherein the functional portion is positioned so the cutting mechanism is at a junction between the internal bone fixation device and the introducer;

activating the actuating mechanism of the control portion, wherein activation of the actuating mechanism translates the outer shaft distally along the cutting mechanism, thereby pushing the cutting mechanism inwards to separate the internal bone fixation device from the introducer; and

separating the internal bone fixation device from the introducer.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the cutting mechanism includes a base section diverging into at least two arm sections.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the cutting mechanism contours at a top surface for receiving the outer shaft and contours at a bottom surface for positioning over the introducer.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the base section is composed of a flexible shaft.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the outer shaft surrounds the flexible shaft of the cutting mechanism.