Tissue access guidewire system and method

• US 8,551,097 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2010
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxano Surgical, Inc.
• Inventors: Schmitz, Gregory P., Bleam, Jefferey, Leguidleguid, Roy, Bleich, Jeffery L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US12/917,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20110046613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 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 device for guiding a surgical device to a desired position in a human body, the device 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 at the proximal end of the guidewire comprises a shaped element having a profile that is larger than a region of the guidewire located distal to the shaped element;

an elongate body 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

a guidewire coupling member disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate body, wherein the guidewire coupling member is configured to receive the guidewire and to secure the guidewire and the elongate body together in an end-to-end configuration so as to allow the distal end of the elongate body to be pulled distally by axial tension of the guidewire.

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

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

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

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a ribbon-shaped distal end.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongate body is tapered.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the elongate body is rigid.

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

an elongate body 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

a guidewire coupling member disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate body, wherein the guidewire coupling member is configured to receive a shaped element at a proximal end of a guidewire, the shaped element having a profile that is larger than a region of the guidewire located distal to the shaped element, further wherein the guidewire coupler is configured to secure the guidewire and the elongate body together in an end-to-end configuration so as to allow the distal end of the elongate body to be pulled distally by axial tension of the guidewire.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the guidewire coupler is configured to receive a shaped element having a shape selected from the group consisting of a ball, a cylinder, a teardrop, a cube, a pyramid, a diamond and a hook.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the elongate body comprises a ribbon-shaped distal end.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the elongate body is tapered.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the elongate body is rigid.