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Safe cutting heads and systems for fast removal of a target tissue

  • US 9,119,659 B2
  • Filed: 08/22/2012
  • Issued: 09/01/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A tubular cutting head for removing a nucleus pulposus of a subject, the cutting head comprisingan outer perimeter that circumscribes a lumen through the cutting head, the lumen having a central axis and in an operable communication with an at least substantially rigid tube;

  • and,a cutting surface on a distal perimeter of the cutting head, the cutting surface havinga forward cutting blade having a forward-directed cutting surface on a distal edge of the outer perimeter, the forward cutting blade configured for (i) cutting the nucleus pulposus tissue in a forward stroke of the cutting head and (ii) excising and directing entry of the excised nucleus pulposus tissue into the lumen on the forward stroke;

    and,a blade guard positioned distal to the forward cutting blade and configured to guard an annulus fibrosis tissue from the forward cutting blade upon the forward stroke, the blade guard configured witha first laterally-directed cutting surface configured for cutting the nucleus pulposus in a first transverse stroke of the cutting head in a first transverse direction, the first laterally-directed cutting surface adapted as a directional shift from the forward cutting direction of the forward cutting blade to the first transverse direction of the first laterally-directed cutting surface, the first laterally-directed cutting surface including an apex pointing away from a plane that geometrically bisects the blade guard and the central axis; and

    ,a second laterally-directed cutting surface opposing the first laterally-directed cutting surface and configured for cutting the nucleus pulposus in a second transverse stroke of the cutting head in a second transverse direction, the second laterally-directed cutting surface adapted as a directional shift from the forward cutting direction of the forward cutting blade to the second transverse direction of the second laterally-directed cutting surface, the second laterally-directed cutting surface including an apex pointing away from the plane that geometrically bisects the blade guard and the central axis.

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