DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OR EVACUATION OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
First Claim
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1. A device for treatment or evacuation of an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc, comprising:
- an introducer comprising a guide constructed an arranged for insertion through an opening in a posterior wall of mammalian intervertebral disc;
an elongated tool formed of a shape memory material and comprising a preformed arcuate shape, the elongated tool and guide constructed and arranged for advancement of said elongated tool along said guide, wherein said preformed arcuate shape of said elongated tool is deformed by said guide while said preformed arcuate shape of the elongated tool engages said guide, and wherein the elongated tool is constructed and arranged to reassume its preformed arcuate shape upon exiting the guide and while in the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc, and wherein the preformed arcuate shape of the elongated tool is constructed and arranged for selectively contacting substantially all surfaces of an interior of the wall of the mammalian intervertebral disc from selective advancement and retraction of the elongated tool within the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc with independent selective advancement and retraction of the introducer.
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Abstract
A method of positioning an arcuate tool against inner annular walls of the disc that particularly facilitates reaching posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc by arthroscopy. An elongated, arcuate and shape memory tool such as a catheter is positioned against the inner annular wall of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc, which are portions of the disc to be treated. The deformable and arcuate tool retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the tool.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for treatment or evacuation of an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc, comprising:
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an introducer comprising a guide constructed an arranged for insertion through an opening in a posterior wall of mammalian intervertebral disc; an elongated tool formed of a shape memory material and comprising a preformed arcuate shape, the elongated tool and guide constructed and arranged for advancement of said elongated tool along said guide, wherein said preformed arcuate shape of said elongated tool is deformed by said guide while said preformed arcuate shape of the elongated tool engages said guide, and wherein the elongated tool is constructed and arranged to reassume its preformed arcuate shape upon exiting the guide and while in the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc, and wherein the preformed arcuate shape of the elongated tool is constructed and arranged for selectively contacting substantially all surfaces of an interior of the wall of the mammalian intervertebral disc from selective advancement and retraction of the elongated tool within the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc with independent selective advancement and retraction of the introducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification