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Tissue removal systems with articulating cutting heads

  • US 9,265,521 B2
  • Filed: 08/19/2014
  • Issued: 02/23/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An articulating tubular cutting head for removing a tissue from a subject, comprising:

  • a tube having an outer perimeter with a distal end, the outer perimeter circumscribing 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 the distal end of the outer perimeter, the cutting surface including a blade guard projecting distal to the cutting surface to protect a perimeter tissue from the cutting head during a removing of the nucleus pulposus of the subject;

    wherein, the blade guard includesa first laterally-directed cutting surface 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 pointing away from the plane that geometrically bisects the blade guard and the central axis;

    and, wherein each of the first laterally-directed cutting surface and the second laterally-directed cutting surface include an apex pointed away from the plane that geometrically bisects the blade guard and the central axis; and

    ,wherein,the central axis of the lumen is at an angle, θ

    1, ranging from about 5°

    to about 90°

    from the central axis of the rigid tube, and the forward cutting blade is located about 3 mm to about 25 mm from the vertex of the angle, θ

    1; and

    ,the operable communication between the cutting head and the rigid tube is articulating, and the angle, θ

    1, is adjustable.

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