Method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material on an intervertebral disc using a laser
First Claim
1. A method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material within a spinal foramen of an intervertebral disc of a patient using a laser, comprising the steps of:
- puncturing said patient'"'"'s skin at an entry point with a leading wire;
inserting said leading wire into said spinal foramen up to said nucleus pulposus material along an entry path, whereby said entry path passes through a section of ligamentum flavum alongside the dural sac;
inserting a blunt tipped dilatator and a cannula over said leading wire down to the ligamentum flavum, wherein said dilatator is located between said leading wire and said cannula;
replacing said dilatator with a sharp tipped trepan;
drilling a hole through the ligamentum flavum;
replacing said trepan with said dilatator;
passing said cannula and said dilatator through said ligamentum flavum into said spinal foramenremoving said dilatator;
removing said leading wire from said cannula;
inserting into said cannula, in place of said leading wire, a laser fiber;
touching said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material with said laser fiber; and
applying a laser beam to said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material with said laser fiber,whereby said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material is thereafter substantially eliminated.
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Abstract
A method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material of an intervertebral disc of a patient using a laser is disclosed. The present invention provides applying a laser beam directly in contact with the prolapsed nucleus pulposus material within the spinal foramen of an intervertebral disc, whereby the laser beam eliminates the prolapsed nucleus pulposus material, without touching the intervertebral disc. A cannula is inserted into the spinal foramen. Once the cannula has passed the ligamentum flavum, a laser fiber is inserted into the cannula. The laser fiber contacts the prolapsed material and a laser beam substantially eliminates the prolapsed material within the spinal foramen.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material within a spinal foramen of an intervertebral disc of a patient using a laser, comprising the steps of:
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puncturing said patient'"'"'s skin at an entry point with a leading wire; inserting said leading wire into said spinal foramen up to said nucleus pulposus material along an entry path, whereby said entry path passes through a section of ligamentum flavum alongside the dural sac; inserting a blunt tipped dilatator and a cannula over said leading wire down to the ligamentum flavum, wherein said dilatator is located between said leading wire and said cannula; replacing said dilatator with a sharp tipped trepan; drilling a hole through the ligamentum flavum; replacing said trepan with said dilatator; passing said cannula and said dilatator through said ligamentum flavum into said spinal foramen removing said dilatator; removing said leading wire from said cannula; inserting into said cannula, in place of said leading wire, a laser fiber; touching said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material with said laser fiber; and applying a laser beam to said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material with said laser fiber, whereby said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material is thereafter substantially eliminated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material within a spinal foramen of an intervertebral disc of a patient using a laser, comprising applying a laser beam directly in contact with said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material, whereby said laser beam eliminates said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material;
- wherein said step of applying said laser beam comprises the steps of;
puncturing said patient'"'"'s skin at an entry point with a leading wire; inserting said leading wire into said spinal foramen up to said nucleus pulposus material along an entry path, whereby said entry path passes through a section of ligamentum flavum alongside the dural sac; inserting a blunt tipped dilatator and said cannula over said leading wire down to the ligamentum flavum, wherein said dilatator is located between said leading wire and said cannula; replacing said dilatator with a sharp tipped trepan; drilling a hole through the ligamentum flavum; replacing said trepan with said dilatator; passing said cannula and said dilatator through said ligamentum flavum into said spinal foramen; removing said dilatator from said cannula; removing said leading wire from said cannula; inserting into said cannula, in place of said leading wire, an optical system into said cannula, wherein said optical system includes a laser fiber; touching said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material with said laser fiber; and applying a laser beam to said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material with said laser fiber, whereby said prolapsed nucleus pulposus material is thereafter substantially eliminated.
- wherein said step of applying said laser beam comprises the steps of;
Specification