Transpedicular intervertebral disk access methods and devices
First Claim
1. A method for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between a first vertebral body of a first vertebra, a second vertebral body of a second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra, and a first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method that allows the surgeon to access the first intervertebral disk to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, the method comprising:
- a) selecting a patient;
b) obtaining transpedicular access to the first intervertebral disk by creating a channel through a pedicle of the first vertebra;
c) removing at least part of the first intervertebral disk through the transpedicular access; and
d) inserting a first flexible drill through the channel and actuating the flexible drill, thereby extending the channel through the first vertebral body and into the intervertebral disk;
where the first flexible drill is a flexible drill comprising a lower sub-assembly connected to an upper sub-assembly;
where the lower sub-assembly comprises a spin luer lock, a retainer tube, a piston anchor, a piston level, a piston, a distal O-ring and a proximal O-ring; and
where the upper sub-assembly comprises a drilling tip, guiding tube, a barrel knob, a barrel, a threaded adapter, a liner, a bearing housing, a flexible shaft, a distal bearing, a proximal bearing, a collet, a bearing cap and a motor receptacle;
where the guiding tube comprising a proximal segment having a central axis and a distal segment having a distal end;
where the drilling tip is connected to the distal end of the distal segment; and
where the guiding tube comprises a substance that has been processed to return to a shape where the distal segment has a radius of curvature sufficient to cause the drilling tip at the end of the distal segment to orient at between about 10° and
150°
off of the central axis of the proximal segment when the guiding tube is not subject to distortion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between a first vertebral body of a first vertebra, a second vertebral body of a second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra, and a first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method that allows the surgeon to access the first intervertebral disk to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, the method comprising:
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a) selecting a patient; b) obtaining transpedicular access to the first intervertebral disk by creating a channel through a pedicle of the first vertebra; c) removing at least part of the first intervertebral disk through the transpedicular access; and d) inserting a first flexible drill through the channel and actuating the flexible drill, thereby extending the channel through the first vertebral body and into the intervertebral disk; where the first flexible drill is a flexible drill comprising a lower sub-assembly connected to an upper sub-assembly; where the lower sub-assembly comprises a spin luer lock, a retainer tube, a piston anchor, a piston level, a piston, a distal O-ring and a proximal O-ring; and where the upper sub-assembly comprises a drilling tip, guiding tube, a barrel knob, a barrel, a threaded adapter, a liner, a bearing housing, a flexible shaft, a distal bearing, a proximal bearing, a collet, a bearing cap and a motor receptacle; where the guiding tube comprising a proximal segment having a central axis and a distal segment having a distal end; where the drilling tip is connected to the distal end of the distal segment; and where the guiding tube comprises a substance that has been processed to return to a shape where the distal segment has a radius of curvature sufficient to cause the drilling tip at the end of the distal segment to orient at between about 10° and
150°
off of the central axis of the proximal segment when the guiding tube is not subject to distortion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29)
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12. A method for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between a first vertebral body of a first vertebra, a second vertebral body of a second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra, and a first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method that allows the surgeon to access the first intervertebral disk to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, the method comprising:
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a) selecting a patient; b) obtaining transpedicular access to the first intervertebral disk by creating a channel through a pedicle of the first vertebra; and c) removing at least part of the first intervertebral disk through the transpedicular access; d) inserting a first flexible drill through the channel and actuating the flexible drill, thereby extending the channel through the first vertebral body and into the intervertebral disk; and e) inserting a second flexible drill through the channel and actuating the flexible drill, thereby enlarging the channel, where the second flexible drill is a flexible drill comprising a lower sub-assembly connected to an upper sub-assembly; where the lower sub-assembly comprises a spin luer lock, a retainer tube, a piston anchor, a piston level, a piston, a distal O-ring and a proximal O-ring; and where the upper sub-assembly comprises a drilling tip, guiding tube, a barrel knob, a barrel, a threaded adapter, a liner, a bearing housing, a flexible shaft, a distal bearing, a proximal bearing, a collet, a bearing cap and a motor receptacle; where the guiding tube comprising a proximal segment having a central axis and a distal segment having a distal end;
where the drilling tip is connected to the distal end of the distal segment; and
where the guiding tube comprises a substance that has been processed to return to a shape where the distal segment has a radius of curvature sufficient to cause the drilling tip at the end of the distal segment to orient at between about 10° and
150°
off of the central axis of the proximal segment when the guiding tube is not subject to distortion.
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26. A method for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between a first vertebral body of a first vertebra, a second vertebral body of a second vertebra adjacent the first vertebra, and a first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method that allows the surgeon to access the first intervertebral disk to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the first intervertebral disk between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, the method comprising:
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a) selecting a patient; b) obtaining transpedicular access to the first intervertebral disk by creating a channel through a pedicle of the first vertebra; c) removing at least part of the first intervertebral disk through the transpedicular access; and d) inserting a distraction system into the intervertebral disk, and allowing the distraction system to distract the first vertebral body from the second vertebral body; where the distraction system is a distraction system for distracting two adjacent vertebrae comprising; a) a barbed plug having a central axis and comprising a central portion and a plurality of barbs; b) a ratchet device having a central axis and comprising a series of transversely separated strips connected at one end; where the barbs extend outward from the axial center of the barbed plug when undeformed, and contract toward the axial center of the barbed plug when deformed; where the strips uncoil away from the central axis of the ratchet device when undeformed, and contract toward the axial center of the ratchet device when deformed.
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Specification