Radially adjustable tissue removal device

Abstract

A tissue removal kit or assembly comprises a cannula and a tissue removal probe axially slidable within the cannula. The tissue removal probe comprises an elongated member a distal end configured to curve when distally deployed from the cannula. The tissue removal probe further comprises a drive shaft rotatably disposed within the member, and a rotatable tissue removal element (e.g., an abrasive burr) disposed on the drive shaft adjacent the member distal end. The curved member distal end may associate the tissue removal element, which has its own axis of rotation, with a radius of revolution about the longitudinal axis of the member. The member is laterally flexible and resilient, so that the radius of revolution can be adjusted. In this manner, the tissue removal element can remove tissue around an adjustable arc.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to copending applications Ser. No. 10 / ______ (Attorney Docket No. 2024730-7038282001), Ser. No. 10 / ______ (Attorney Docket No. 2024730-7036842001) and Ser. No. 10 / ______ (Attorney Docket No. 2024730-7038292001), which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention pertains to medical devices and methods for removing tissue, and in particular, vertebral bone and intervertebral disc tissue. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The spinal column consists of thirty-three bones called vertebra, the first twenty-four vertebrae of which make up the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine and are separated from each other by “pads” of tough cartilage called “intervertebral discs,” which act as shock absorbers that provide flexibility, stability, and pain-free movement of the spine. [0004]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a portion of a healthy and normal spine, and specifically, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the tissue removal kit comprises a cannula, which may be rigid, e.g., so that it can be introduced through tissue without the aid of other instruments. The cannula may have a tissue-penetrating distal tip to facilitate its introduction harder tissue, such as bone tissue. The tissue removal kit further comprises a tissue removal probe axially slidable within the cannula lumen. The tissue removal probe may optionally be removable from the cannula lumen, so that the cannula can be used for other functions, e.g., delivering therapeutic media. The tissue removal probe comprises an elongated member having a lumen and a distal end configured to curve when distally deployed from the cannula lumen. The deployed member distal end can be configured to curve in any one of a variety of manners. For example, the distal end of the cannula may be curved, the member distal end may be pre-curved, or pull wire(s) can be provided to actively bend the member distal end. In one embodiment, the member distal end can be curved at approximately ninety degrees, although other curvatures are possible.

Problems solved by technology

In some cases, however, the disc tissue is irreparably damaged, in which case, surgery is the best option.

VCFs are common in patients who suffer from these medical conditions, often resulting in pain, compromises to activities of daily living, and even prolonged disability.

A physician may have difficulty controlling existing bone removal devices, however, and may unintentionally remove healthy bone tissue or injure spinal tissue during use.

This problem is exacerbated with percutaneous treatments, which, although less invasive than other procedures, limit the range of motion of the cutting instrument, thereby further limiting the control that the physician may have during the bone cutting procedure.

As can be appreciated, this excessive movement of the removal device 60 increases the time of the spinal procedure as well as surgical risk due to manipulation of the device.

Another problem with current burr-type removal devices is that soft material, such as the nuclear material in an intervertebral disc or cancellous bone within the vertebral body, tends to stick to the burrs, thereby limiting the abrasive effect that the burrs are intended to have in order to efficiently remove tissue.

As a result, the incision through which the cannula is to be introduced must be made relatively large, thereby unnecessarily causing more tissue trauma.

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