Tissue access guidewire system and method

• US 7,857,813 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxano, Inc. (Baxano Surgical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leguidleguid, Roy, Bleich, Jeffery L., Bleam, Jefferey, Schmitz, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US11/468,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20080086114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 600/564, 600/569, 600/570, 600/585, 606/79, 606/108
• US Class Current: 606/79
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3135 for examination of the epidural or the spinal space
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0483 Hand-held instruments for holding sutures A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1611 the two jaw elements being integral with respective elongate shaft elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1659 Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 Guide wires or guide pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A method and system for guiding at least a portion of a surgical device to a desired position between two tissues in a patient'"'"'s body involves coupling a guidewire to the device and pulling the distal end of the guidewire to guide at least a portion of the surgical device to a desired position between the two tissues. The surgical device generally includes one or more guidewire coupling members and may comprise a tissue access device. A system may include a guidewire and a surgical device. In some embodiments, a guidewire, a tissue access device, and one or more additional devices to use with the access device may be provided. Methods, devices and systems may be used in open, less-invasive or percutaneous surgical procedures, in various embodiments.

Claims

1. A system for guiding a surgical device to a desired position in a human body, the system comprising:

a guidewire having a proximal end and a sharp and tissue penetrating distal end and a coupling member at the proximal end, wherein the coupling member comprises a shaped element having a profile that is larger than a region of the guidewire located distal to the shaped element; and

an elongate surgical device having a proximal end and a flat, thin and flexible distal end region, wherein the distal end region comprises an abrasive member on one side and has an atraumatic surface on the opposite side, with a receiving coupling member disposed at or near the distal end, wherein the receiving coupling member comprises a channel configured to receive the coupling member and to secure the guidewire and the surgical device together in an end-to-end configuration by engaging the guidewire in the channel so as to allow the distal end of the surgical device to be pulled distally by axial tension of the guidewire;

wherein the surgical device comprises an abrasive surgical device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the surgical device is configured to effect blunt dissection of tissue.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the shaped element has a shape selected from the group consisting of a ball, a cylinder, a teardrop, a cube, a pyramid, a diamond and a hook.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the sharpened distal tip has a shape selected from the group consisting of pointed, beveled, double-beveled, drill-tip shaped, and corkscrew.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the receiving coupling member comprises at least one movable part configured to move from an open position to a closed position to hold the guidewire.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the surgical device comprises a tissue access device, the system further comprising at least one additional surgical device configured to pass at least partway through the tissue access device to help perform a procedure on target tissue.

7. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a guidewire handle for coupling with the guidewire outside the human body to facilitate pulling the guidewire.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the surgical device comprises a ribbon-shaped distal end.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongate surgical device is tapered.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the elongate surgical device is rigid.

11. A system for guiding a surgical device to a desired position in a human body, the system comprising:

a guidewire having a proximal end and a sharp and tissue penetrating distal end, and a coupling region at the proximal end; and

an elongate surgical device having a proximal end and a flat, thin and flexible distal end region, wherein the distal end region comprises an abrasive member on one side and has an atraumatic surface on the opposite side, with a receiving coupling member disposed at or near the distal end, wherein the receiving coupling member comprises a channel having a side-opening configured to receive the coupling region of the guidewire and a movable cam configured to secure the guidewire and the surgical device together in an end-to-end configuration by securing the guidewire in the channel when the surgical device and guidewire are pulled axially relative to each other, wherein the surgical device comprises an abrasive surgical device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the elongate surgical device is tapered.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the proximal end of the elongate surgical device is rigid.

14. A system for guiding a surgical device to a desired position in a human body, the system comprising:

an elongate surgical device having a proximal end and a flat, thin and flexible distal end region, wherein the distal end region comprises an abrasive member on one side and has an atraumatic surface on the opposite side, with a coupling member disposed at or near the distal end, wherein the coupling member comprises a shaped element having a profile that is larger than a region of the surgical device located proximal to the shaped element, further wherein the surgical device comprises an abrasive surgical device; and

a guidewire having a sharp and tissue penetrating distal end and a receiving coupling member at the proximal end, wherein the receiving coupling member comprises a channel configured to receive the shaped element,

wherein the coupling member and receiving coupling member are configured to secure the guidewire and the surgical device together in an end-to-end configuration by engaging the coupling member in the channel, so as to allow the surgical device to be pulled distally by axial tension of the guidewire.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the distal end of the elongate surgical device is tapered.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the elongate surgical device is rigid.

17. A system for guiding a surgical device to a desired position in a human body, the system comprising:

a guidewire having a proximal end and a sharp and tissue penetrating distal end, and a coupling member at the proximal end, wherein the coupling member comprises a shaped element; and

an elongate surgical device having a proximal end and a flat, thin and flexible distal end region, wherein the distal end region comprises an abrasive member on one side and has an atraumatic surface on the opposite side, with a receiving coupling member disposed at or near the distal end, wherein the receiving coupling member is configured to receive the guidewire coupling element to secure the guidewire and the surgical device together in an end-to-end configuration to allow the distal end of the surgical device to be pulled distally by axial tension of the guidewire.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the distal end of the elongate surgical device is tapered.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the proximal end of the elongate surgical device is rigid.