Transpedicular intervertebral disk access methods and devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cutting device comprising:
- a blade pivotally connected to the distal end of a flexible shaft;
a locking sleeve surrounding at least part of the flexible shaft;
a sheath having a beveled distal end and surrounding at least part of the flexible shaft;
where the cutting device can be inserted into a material to be cut after accessing the material through a channel comprising a substantially straight proximal section having a long axis and distal section having a long axis;
and where the long axis of the distal section is curved, or where the long axis of the distal section is substantially straight but varies at least about 10°
off of the long axis of the proximal section;
where the blade pivots at least about 90°
with respect to a long axis of the distal end of the flexible shaft from a first, insertion position to a second, cutting position;
where the blade has one or more than one notch;
where the locking sleeve can be advanced distally and retracted proximally;
where advancement distally causes the locking sleeve to engage with the one or more than one notch, thereby locking the blade into the cutting position, and retraction proximally causes the locking sleeve to disengage from the one or more than one notch, thereby unlocking the blade from the cutting position;
where the flexible shaft can be advanced distally and retracted proximally relative to the sheath; and
where retraction proximally of the flexible shaft causes the blade to disengage from the locking sleeve and pivot to the insertion position.
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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.
212 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A cutting device comprising:
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a blade pivotally connected to the distal end of a flexible shaft; a locking sleeve surrounding at least part of the flexible shaft; a sheath having a beveled distal end and surrounding at least part of the flexible shaft; where the cutting device can be inserted into a material to be cut after accessing the material through a channel comprising a substantially straight proximal section having a long axis and distal section having a long axis; and where the long axis of the distal section is curved, or where the long axis of the distal section is substantially straight but varies at least about 10°
off of the long axis of the proximal section;where the blade pivots at least about 90°
with respect to a long axis of the distal end of the flexible shaft from a first, insertion position to a second, cutting position;where the blade has one or more than one notch; where the locking sleeve can be advanced distally and retracted proximally; where advancement distally causes the locking sleeve to engage with the one or more than one notch, thereby locking the blade into the cutting position, and retraction proximally causes the locking sleeve to disengage from the one or more than one notch, thereby unlocking the blade from the cutting position; where the flexible shaft can be advanced distally and retracted proximally relative to the sheath; and where retraction proximally of the flexible shaft causes the blade to disengage from the locking sleeve and pivot to the insertion position.
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2. A cutting device comprising:
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a flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a locking sleeve slidable on the flexible shaft between a first position and a second position; and a blade pivotally connected to the flexible shaft and movable from a first, insertion position to a second, cuffing position substantially orthogonal with respect to a long axis of the distal end of the flexible shaft; the blade comprising at least one notch for engaging a distal end of the locking sleeve to lock the blade in the cuffing position when the locking sleeve is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification