DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TISSUE MODIFICATION

• US 20130172895A1
• Filed: 12/27/2012
• Published: 07/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Amendia, Inc. (Spinal Elements, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Kao-Shing Sun, Brian S. Bowman, Bryan Knodel, Christopher Bagley, Michael P Wallace, Robert Garabedian, Roy Leguidleguid
• Inventors: WALLACE, Michael P., LEGUIDLEGUID, Roy, GARABEDIAN, Robert, SUN, Benjamin Kao-Shing, BAGLEY, Christopher, KNODEL, Bryan, BOWMAN, Brian S.
• Application Number:
  US13/728,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20130172895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1606 of forceps type, i.e. having two jaw elements moving relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1611 the two jaw elements being integral with respective elongate shaft elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1631 Special drive shafts, e.g. flexible shafts A61B17/1642, A61B17/164 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1659 Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00738 part of the tool being offset with respect to a main axis, e.g. for better view for the surgeon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/002 Auxiliary appliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

Devices and methods of modifying tissue for low profile and ultra profile rongeur devices to treat spinal tissue. These devices may include a curved or curveable distal region; the cutting member may be configured to operate in the curved region. Also described herein are tissue modification devices that may be flexible or bendable for positioning in the tissue (including the spinal region) but can be made rigid once in position, or otherwise fixed in place to allow leverage when modifying the tissue.

Claims

1. An ultra low-profile rongeur device for cutting a target tissue, the device comprising:

an elongate body having a distal portion having a height and width, wherein the distal portion of the device is configured to be passed into an epidural space and has a height that is less than about 3 mm;

a first blade movably disposed across the width of one side of the distal portion of the elongate body configured to cut target tissue;

a handle at the proximal end of the body, wherein the handle includes an actuator configured to drive the first blade towards a second blade to cut target tissue.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the elongate body is curved.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first blade is configured to move along the curved distal portion of the elongate body.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to pull the second blade toward the first blade.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to push the first blade toward the second blade.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to cut target tissues within the lateral recess of a spine.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the width is significantly greater than the height of the distal portion of the elongate body.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rigid shaft region between the distal portion of the elongate body and the proximal handle.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein a distal portion of the device is curved such that there is an angle between the rigid shaft and the distal portion of the elongate body.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the angle is between 180 degrees and 90 degrees

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the angle is less than 90 degrees.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion has a width that is greater than about 4 mm.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising an opening through the first or second blade through which cut tissue may pass.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more flexible tendons coupled to the first blade and the actuator and configured to move the first blade relative to the second blade.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the one or more flexible tendons comprise a plurality of adjacently arranged wires.

16. An ultra low-profile rongeur device for cutting a target tissue, the device comprising:

an elongate body comprising a distal portion having a height and width and an elongate rigid shaft portion, wherein the distal portion of the device has a curve relative to shaft, further wherein the distal portion is configured to be passed into an epidural space and has a height that is less than about 3 mm;

a first blade that is movably disposed across the width of one side of the distal portion of the elongate body configured to cut target tissue;

one or more flexible tendons coupled to the first blade and configured to drive the first blade along the curve of the distal portion and against a second blade in the distal end region to cut target tissue.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a handle at the proximal end of the body, wherein the handle includes an actuator configured to move the one or more flexible tendons.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the distal portion has a width that is greater than about 4 mm.

19. The device of claim 16, further comprising an opening through the first or second blade through which cut tissue may pass.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the flexible tendons comprise a Nitinol member.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the flexible tendons comprise a plurality of adjacently arranged wires.