Apparatus for decompressing herniated intervertebral discs
First Claim
1. Apparatus for treating a herniated disc, the apparatus comprising an endoscopic soft tissue removal tool (64) and a working cannula (40) through which said tool can be advanced, the apparatus being characterised by:
- a tool set (54, 56) for removing bone from a co-operating pair of superior and inferior articulating processes of the spine, to create a path for postero-lateral endoscopic access to the vertebral foramen and vertebral canal; and
wherein the bone removal tool set comprises a set of trocar rods (54) of progressively increasing outside diameter, and a corresponding set of hole saw tools (56), each of which fits snugly over the outside diameter of its corresponding trocar tube and is rotatable on the tube in order to bore through the bony material around the facet joint of the spine corresponding to the herniated spinal disc under treatment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method of and an apparatus for removing bone, capsule ligaments from a co-operating pair of superior and inferior articulating processes (also called facet joints) of the spine to create a path for postero-lateral endoscopic access to the vertebral foramen and to the epidural space of the spinal canal; successively advancing tools (64) of an increasing diameter along the path; advancing through a working cannula (40) of an endoscope in order to visualize the herniated disc material and to check for the presence of nerve roots or dural sac; and engaging soft tissue with a tool in the working cannula, the soft tissue deriving from the herniated disc, and withdrawing the tissue through the cannula, hereby to relieve pressure on nerve structures within the vertebral foramen and spinal canal.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. Apparatus for treating a herniated disc, the apparatus comprising an endoscopic soft tissue removal tool (64) and a working cannula (40) through which said tool can be advanced, the apparatus being characterised by:
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a tool set (54, 56) for removing bone from a co-operating pair of superior and inferior articulating processes of the spine, to create a path for postero-lateral endoscopic access to the vertebral foramen and vertebral canal; and
whereinthe bone removal tool set comprises a set of trocar rods (54) of progressively increasing outside diameter, and a corresponding set of hole saw tools (56), each of which fits snugly over the outside diameter of its corresponding trocar tube and is rotatable on the tube in order to bore through the bony material around the facet joint of the spine corresponding to the herniated spinal disc under treatment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification