Tissue modification devices and methods

• US 9,314,253 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Amendia, Inc. (Spinal Elements, Inc.)
• Inventors: Borgstrom, Amie R., Wallace, Michael P., Garabedian, Robert, Leguidleguid, Roy, Mimran, Ronnie I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Olivia C
• Application Number:
  US13/757,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20130150856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32006 with a cutting strip, band or chain, e.g. like a chainsaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4893 Nerves

Abstract

Devices and methods for cutting tissue in a patient. In some embodiments, a bimanually controlled device may include a tissue modification region; one or more (e.g., two) flexible elongate length of cable that extend proximally to distally, a tissue modification region along a portion of the length of cable; and a guidewire coupler at the distal end of the device for attaching the distal end of the tissue modification device to the proximal end of a guidewire. Method of using these devices (including devices having two or more parallel length of cutting regions) to cut tissue (e.g., spinal lamina) are also described.

Claims

1. A bimanually controlled tissue modification device for cutting at least one of bone and tissue in a patient, the device comprising:

an elongate spacer having spaced-apart opposing edge portions extend substantially parallel to each other and a central portion extending between the opposing edge portions, wherein the central portion has a first side and a second side, wherein each one of the edge portions includes a wire retaining structure extending at least partially along a length of the elongate spacer at the first side thereof, and wherein the central portion has a concave cross-sectional curvature with respect to the first side thereof along at least a portion of the length thereof;

two elongate bodies each having a tissue modification region, wherein each one of the elongate bodies is secured to a respective one of the opposing edge portions of the spacer by the wire retaining structure thereof such that the elongate bodies extend in side-by-side spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, wherein at least a portion of the tissue modification region of each one of the elongate bodies extends along the length of the central portion having the concave cross-sectional curvature, wherein the two elongate bodies each comprises a flexible elongate length of wire extending proximally to distally, wherein the tissue modification region includes at least a portion of the flexible elongate length of wire, and wherein the flexible elongate length of wire comprises a plurality of cutting members each at a respective fixed location with respect to the flexible elongate length of wire of each one of the elongate bodies, wherein the cutting members are defined by a spiral or helical cutting edge and wherein the cutting members and the flexible elongate length of wire are integrally formed; and

a guidewire coupler at a distal end region of the flexible elongate length of wire of at least one of the elongate bodies.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the tissue modification region comprises a saw; and

the saw comprises the cutting members.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximal handle connected to the flexible elongate length of the wire of at least one of the elongate bodies at a proximal end portion thereof;

wherein a respective position of each one of the cutting members with respect to the proximal handle and the guidewire coupler is substantially fixed.