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Publication Number
US-9295479-B2
Publication Date
2016-03-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
An exemplary nucleus removal device may be used to remove a portion of nucleus pulposus from an intervertebral disc. A nucleus removal device may include a cannula, an access tool, a maceration tool, and an evacuation tool. The access cannula is inserted into an intervertebral body laterally, creating a fissure in the annular fibrosis. The access tool 304 is slid through the access cannula and the fissure in annular fibrosis, such that a portion of access tool extends into the nucleus pulposus. The maceration tool is extended from the access tool into the nucleus pulposus, in a direction orthogonal to the axial extension of access tool, and macerates the nucleus pulposus. To assist in maceration, a stream of liquid may also be introduced into the vertebral body through the access tool before, during, or after maceration. Macerated material and liquid is removed from the intervertebral disc by the evacuation tool.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for removing a portion of nucleus pulposus using a maceration tool and an evacuation tool cooperating through an access tool. The apparatus includes an axially extending tubular access tool with a proximal first end having a first orifice and a distal second end forming a point along the axial extension, and a second orifice located between the first end and the second end on an axis orthogonal to the axial extension of the access tool.
A first tubular channel extends from the first orifice to the second orifice and is adapted to channel a liquid from the first orifice to the second orifice. A second tubular channel extends from the first orifice to the second orifice and is arranged in cooperative arrangement with a maceration tool, and a third tubular channel extends from the first orifice to the second orifice and is arranged in cooperative arrangement with an evacuation tool.
The maceration tool within the second channel comprises a maceration element and a first axially extending shaft, where radial rotation of the first shaft results in rotation of the maceration element, and movement of the first shaft in a proximal to distal direction moves the maceration element out of the second orifice in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the tubular access tool. The evacuation tool within the third channel comprises one or more evacuation elements and a second axially extending shaft, where radial rotation of the second shaft results in rotation of the evacuation element, and the evacuation elements are adapted to move material through the third channel when rotated.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are explicitly provided. The claims cover an axially extending tubular access tool with a second orifice orthogonal to the axial extension and three cooperative channels, together with a rotating maceration tool and a rotating evacuation tool.
Tubular access tool with orthogonal maceration outlet and three cooperating channels
An apparatus comprising an axially extending tubular access tool having a second orifice on an axis orthogonal to the axial extension, including a first tubular channel adapted to channel a liquid to the second orifice, a second tubular channel in cooperative arrangement with a maceration tool, and a third tubular channel in cooperative arrangement with an evacuation tool.
Orthogonal deployment of a rotating maceration element and rotating evacuation for evacuation through a channel
A maceration tool within the second channel comprising a maceration element and a first axially extending shaft where radial rotation results in rotation of the maceration element and proximal to distal movement results in movement of the maceration element out of the second orifice generally orthogonal to the longitudinal extension, together with an evacuation tool within the third channel comprising one or more evacuation elements and a second axially extending shaft where radial rotation results in rotation of the evacuation element, and the evacuation elements are adapted to move material through the third channel when rotated.
Access tool channels for slidably receiving maceration tool and receiving evacuation tool with orthogonal extension
An apparatus for removing a portion of a nucleus pulposus including an access tool extending from a proximal end to a distal end having a maceration tool channel for slidably receiving the maceration tool, where proximal to distal movement extends the maceration element out of the distal end of the access tool in a direction generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis, and an evacuation channel for receiving the evacuation tool.
Rotating maceration element and rotating evacuation elements for maceration and evacuation
A maceration tool comprising a maceration element coupled to a first shaft where rotation of the first shaft rotates the maceration element, and an evacuation tool comprising one or more evacuation elements and a second shaft where rotation of the second shaft rotates the one or more evacuation elements, wherein the maceration element is adapted to macerate tissue when rotated and the evacuation elements are adapted to evacuate material through the evacuation channel when rotated.
The core coverage combines an access tool with a maceration deployment direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and maceration element extension, together with rotating actuation of the maceration element for tissue maceration and rotating evacuation elements for evacuation through a dedicated channel.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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