Methods and devices for removing a spinal disc
First Claim
1. A device for removing a spinal disc, comprising:
- a housing having four walls that form a substantially rectangular shape with an open interior configured to receive a cut portion of the spinal disc, the housing having a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade;
a handle assembly including a handle, a first blade actuator and a second blade actuator, the first and second blade actuators being operatively coupled to the first and second cutting blades;
an outer shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end slidably coupled to the housing; and
an inner shaft disposed in the outer shaft, the inner shaft having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end coupled to the housing;
wherein pivoting the first blade actuator relative to the handle moves the first cutting blade along a first arc-shaped path through the spinal disc, and pivoting the second blade actuator relative to the handle moves the second cutting blade along a second arc-shaped path such that the second cutting blade contacts the first cutting blade, thereby cutting the spinal disc.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for removing a spinal disc are provided herein. Discectomy instruments are disclosed that can remove a spinal disc in a single-pass, i.e., without repeatedly inserting and removing the instrument from a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the discectomy instrument includes a distal housing, at least one cutting blade, and a handle. When the distal housing is positioned adjacent to a spinal disc, a handle can be actuated to advance the cutting blade along a substantially arc-shaped path through the disc. In certain aspects, the path of the blade can correspond to the anatomy of the disc and to the approach used to access the spine. A second cutting blade can be advanced through the disc and can intersect with the arc-shaped path, forming a complete cut. The cut disc can be received in the distal housing and removed from the patient.
83 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device for removing a spinal disc, comprising:
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a housing having four walls that form a substantially rectangular shape with an open interior configured to receive a cut portion of the spinal disc, the housing having a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade; a handle assembly including a handle, a first blade actuator and a second blade actuator, the first and second blade actuators being operatively coupled to the first and second cutting blades; an outer shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end slidably coupled to the housing; and an inner shaft disposed in the outer shaft, the inner shaft having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end coupled to the housing; wherein pivoting the first blade actuator relative to the handle moves the first cutting blade along a first arc-shaped path through the spinal disc, and pivoting the second blade actuator relative to the handle moves the second cutting blade along a second arc-shaped path such that the second cutting blade contacts the first cutting blade, thereby cutting the spinal disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for removing a spinal disc, comprising:
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a distal housing including; superior and inferior walls, first and second lateral walls, first and second cutting edges extending beyond distal ends of each of the superior and inferior walls, and first and second cutting blades configured to move relative to the distal housing; a handle assembly including a handle, a first blade actuator, and a second blade actuator, the first and second blade actuators advancing the first cutting blade along a first path and the second cutting blade along a second path; a shaft body extending between the distal housing and the handle assembly; and an inner shaft disposed within the shaft body, the inner shaft being fixedly coupled to the distal housing and to the handle; wherein the first and second paths are proximal to the first and second cutting edges of the distal housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device for removing a spinal disc, comprising:
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a distal housing including; superior and inferior walls, first and second lateral walls, first and second arc-shaped cutting edges extending beyond distal ends of each of the superior and inferior walls, and first and second cutting blades configured to move relative to the distal housing; a handle assembly including a handle, a first blade actuator that advances the first cutting blade along a first curved path that follows a periphery of the first cutting edge, and a second blade actuator that advances the second cutting blade along a second curved path that follows a periphery of the second cutting edge; and a shaft body extending between the distal housing and the handle assembly, wherein the first and second cutting edges are configured to penetrate tissue prior to the first and second cutting blades being advanced along the first and second curved paths.
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Specification