Nerve surveillance cannulae systems

Abstract

An expandable tip cannula system, comprising: a hollow cannula shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an expandable tip mounted at the distal end of the hollow cannula shaft, the expandable tip comprising a plurality of generally-triangular shaped petals held together in a radially-inwardly tapered arrangement between adjacent petals, each petal comprising a nerve sensing electrode disposed therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a division of commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 431,619, filed on May 7, 2003, which is a divisional application of commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 325,998, filed on Jun. 4, 1999 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,078, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Additionally, the present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Serial No. 60 / 113,651 filed Dec. 23, 1998; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 120,663 filed Feb. 12, 1999; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 123,268 filed Mar. 8, 1999; the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to nerve surveillance systems and to cannulae ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a system for surveying nerves in the spine and for minimally invasive spinal surgery. The invention provides an expandable tip cannula system that can be used as both an access portal for spinal surgery and a system for nerve surveillance. The expandable tip cannula has a triangular-shaped petal design that can be easily pushed through the patient's facia and spinal musculature, while identifying the presence and location of para-spinal nerves as the cannula is advanced. The invention also includes a cannula system that can selectively cauterize small blood vessels to improve visibility during surgery. The invention provides a solution for minimizing the risk of damaging nerves during spinal surgery and ensuring clear vision inside the spine.

Problems solved by technology

A significant danger of performing intervertebral operations or accessing an intervertebral space during spine surgery is that of inadvertently contacting or damaging the para-spinal nerves, including the exiting nerve roots, traversing nerves and the nerves of the cauda equina.

Moreover, intervertebral spaces in the spine have other sensitive nerves disposed at locations which are not entirely predictable prior to insertion of the surgical tool into the intervertebral area.

Accordingly, the danger of pinching or damaging spinal nerves when accessing an intervertebral space has proven to be quite limiting to the methods and devices used during minimally invasive spinal surgery.

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