Methods and apparatus for performing discectomy

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11980374-B2
Application number	US-202318327337-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 1, 2023
Priority date	Feb 22, 2019
Publication date	May 14, 2024
Grant date	May 14, 2024

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for performing a discectomy are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a surgical tool for use in a therapeutic treatment of a patient includes a handle; an upper arm coupled to the handle; a lower arm coupled to the handle; a pivot arm coupled to one of the upper arm or the lower arm via a first pivot pin; and an end effector pivotably coupled to the pivot arm via a second pivot pin, wherein actuation of the handle causes movement of the pivot arm and articulation of the end effector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for removing tissue from a patient comprising the steps of:
providing an articulating rake for use in removing the tissue from the patient, comprising:
a handle;
an elongate first arm coupled to the handle and defining a first longitudinal axis;
an elongate second arm coupled to the handle and defining a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis;
first and second pivot pins;
a pivot arm coupled to the second arm via the first pivot pin and having a proximal portion translationally coupled to the first arm; and
a translation pin attached to the proximal portion of the pivot arm and only slidably coupled to the first arm so as to allow a translational movement of the translation pin lateral to the first longitudinal axis and within the first arm; and
an end effector pivotably coupled to the pivot arm via the second pivot pin defining a pivoting axis transverse to the first pivot pin,
wherein actuation of the handle longitudinally translates the second arm relative to the first arm to cause the pivot arm to rotate about the first pivot pin while the proximal portion of the pivot arm translates laterally relative to the first longitudinal axis, and
using the articulating rake to remove the tissue from the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the end effector is sized to be inserted into a vertebral disc space through a cannula.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articulating rake is sized and dimensioned for laparoscopy.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a trigger, and wherein squeezing of the trigger causes articulation of the end effector about the first pivot pin.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handle extends from a proximal end to a distal end and comprises:
a body having a central channel extending from the distal end to a point between the proximal end and the distal end;
a carrier disposed around the body and having external threads;
a knob surrounding the body and the carrier, the knob having internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the carrier, wherein rotation of the knob causes linear translation of the carrier along an axis of the handle;
an attachment arm disposed within the central channel and coupled to the carrier via a pin, wherein the attachment arm is configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the articulating rake.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the handle includes an indicator configured to indicate an angular position of the end effector with respect to a rest of the articulating rake.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
an adjustable stop configured to be coupled to a cannula through which the articulating rake is inserted into an intervertebral disc space, wherein a position of the adjustable stop along the cannula is adjustable to limit a distance by which the end effector extends beyond a distal end of the cannula, wherein the adjustable stop includes a first set of teeth selectively engageable with a second set of teeth on the cannula to lock and unlock translation of the adjustable stop along the cannula.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the adjustable stop further includes a table mount configured to allow the adjustable stop to be mounted to a table.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the end effector is one of a ring curette, a rake, or a cup curette.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the end effector is a ring curette, and wherein a sweep angle of the ring curette is about 160°.

11. A method for removing tissue from a patient comprising the steps of:
providing an articulating rake comprising:
a handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the handle including:
a body having a central channel extending from the distal end to a point between the proximal end and the distal end;
a carrier disposed around the body and having external threads;
a knob surrounding the body and the carrier, the knob having internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the carrier, wherein rotation of the knob causes linear translation of the carrier along an axis of the handle; and
an attachment arm disposed within the central channel and coupled to the carrier;
an elongate first arm coupled to the handle and defining a first longitudinal axis;
an elongate second arm disposed along the first arm, the second arm coupled to the handle and defining a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis;
first and second pivot pins;
a pivot arm coupled to the second arm via the first pivot pin and having a proximal portion translationally coupled to the first arm;
a translation pin attached to the proximal portion of the pivot arm and only slidably coupled to the first arm so as to allow a translational movement of the translation pin lateral to the first longitudinal axis and within the first arm, and
an end effector pivotably coupled to the pivot arm via the second pivot pin defining a passive articulation mechanism and a pivoting axis transverse to the first pivot pin,
wherein actuation of the handle longitudinally translates the second arm relative to the first arm to cause the pivot arm to rotate about the first pivot pin while the proximal portion of the pivot arm translates laterally relative to the first longitudinal axis,
using the articulating rake to remove the tissue.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the articulating rake is configured to be inserted into a vertebral disc space through a cannula.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the articulating rake is sized and dimensioned for laparoscopy.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the handle includes an indicator configured to indicate an angular position of the end effector with respect to a rest of the articulating rake.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
an adjustable stop configured to be coupled to a cannula through which the articulating rake is inserted into an intervertebral disc space, wherein a position of the adjustable stop along the cannula can be adjusted to limit a distance by which the end effector extends beyond a distal end of the cannula, wherein the adjustable stop includes a first set of teeth selectively engageable with a second set of teeth on the cannula to lock and unlock translation of the adjustable stop along the cannula.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the adjustable stop further includes a table mount configured to allow the adjustable stop to be mounted to a table.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the end effector is one of a ring curette, a rake, or a cup curette.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the end effector is a ring curette, and wherein a sweep angle of the ring curette is about 160°.

Assignees

• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• Kahmer Damien

Classifications

• A61B17/1671 Primary

  for the spine · CPC title

• A61B2017/00261

  Discectomy · CPC title

• A61B2017/00367

  Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like · CPC title

• A61B2017/0046

  with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable · CPC title

• A61B2090/0811

  for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument · CPC title