Devices and methods for the preparation of intervertebral discs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9848890-B2
Application number	US-201113183803-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2011
Priority date	Jul 15, 2011
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

A power tool for removing an intervertebral disc and preparing vertebral endplates is described. The power tool may include a cutting element, and the height of the cutting element may be adjustable. The cutting element may be a braided cable and may include one or more beads to enhance the effectiveness of the cable. The cutting element may have a minimum height requirement, which may not be satisfied in patients with a collapsed disc due to degenerative disc disorder. For these patients, also described are bone tamps for increasing the intervertebral distance and providing access to tissues distal to the tamp. One type of bone tamp features an inflatable balloon with an inner lumen. Another type of bone tamp includes an expanding distal end and an inner cannula. Also described is a manual expander scraper tool that is compatible with both types of bone tamp.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for the removal of an intervertebral disc or a portion thereof, the device comprising:
an outer portion configured to be manipulated by a user of the device;
an outer sheath connected to the outer portion, wherein the outer sheath comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the outer sheath located generally proximate to a flexible cutting element;
an inner core connected to the outer portion and extending through the outer sheath, the inner core comprising the flexible cutting element located distal to a distal end of the outer sheath, wherein the distal end of the outer sheath is closer to the flexible cutting element than the proximal end of the outer sheath;
an auger portion surrounding the inner core configured to remove tissue and bone material that has been cut by the flexible cutting element, the auger portion located between the cutting element and the proximal end of the outer sheath;
a spring and a plunger provided within the outer sheath, wherein the inner core is connected to the plunger, wherein the spring is configured to press against the plunger to decrease a height of the flexible cutting element, wherein the spring is positioned distally to the plunger such that it is closer to the distal end of the outer sheath than the plunger;
a motor configured to rotate the inner core;
a trigger configured to adjust the height of the flexible cutting element;
the trigger connected to the plunger, whereby rotation of the trigger causes the plunger to move distally; and
a connector connecting the plunger to the motor such that when a distance between the plunger and the motor varies, the plunger is not disconnected from the motor;
an outer core connected to the inner core and located between the inner core and the outer sheath, the outer core comprising the auger portion located between the outer sheath and the flexible cutting element,
wherein the auger portion helically surrounds the inner core, the auger portion configured to rotate to remove tissue and bone material that has been cut by the flexible cutting element at the distal end of the outer sheath and move the tissue and bone material to the proximal end of the outer sheath.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer core is configured to be rotated by one of the motor or the inner core.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible cutting element comprises a metal, a superelastic metal, or a polymer.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible cutting element comprises a braided cable, a linked chain, a dual blade, or a flexible member.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the trigger is configured to be squeezed by a user of the device.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one battery configured to provide power to the motor.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible cutting element is adjustable to a height between 0 mm and 20 mm.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the flexible cutting element is adjustable to a height between 4 mm and 16 mm.

9. A system for separating two vertebrae that are in close proximity, the system comprising:
a balloon comprising a collapsed state, an expanded state, a proximal end, and a distal end, the balloon configured to be inserted between adjacent vertebrae;
a central shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the central shaft connected at its distal end to the proximal end of the balloon, the central shaft in fluid communication with the balloon;
an inflation port in fluid communication with the central shaft, the inflation port configured to transport a fluid to and from the balloon to transition the balloon between a collapsed state and an expanded state;
an inner lumen located within the central shaft but sealed against fluid communication with the central shaft, balloon, and inflation port, the inner lumen passing through the balloon to a distal port on the distal end of the balloon;
a lumen port located at the proximal end of the central shaft, the lumen port connected to the inner lumen, wherein the lumen port, inner lumen, and distal port define a linear path from the proximal end of the central shaft to the distal end of the balloon; and
a power tool inserted into the lumen port, wherein the power tool comprises:
an outer sheath comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the outer sheath located generally proximate to a cutting element;
an inner core extending through the outer sheath, the inner core comprising the cutting element, wherein the distal end of the outer sheath is closer to the cutting element than the proximal end of the outer sheath;
an auger portion surrounding the inner core configured to remove tissue and bone material that has been cut by the cutting element, the auger portion located between the cutting element and the proximal end of the outer sheath;
a spring and a plunger provided within the outer sheath, wherein the spring is positioned distally to the plunger such that it is closer to the distal end of the inner core comprising the cutting element than the plunger;
a motor configured to rotate the inner core;
a trigger configured to adjust the height of the cutting element, wherein the trigger is connected to the plunger, whereby rotation of the trigger causes the plunger to move distally; and
a connector connecting the plunger to the motor such that when a distance between the plunger and the motor varies, the plunger is not disconnected from the motor;
an outer core connected to the inner core and located between the inner core and the outer sheath, the outer core comprising the auger portion located between the outer sheath and the flexible cutting element,
wherein the auger portion helically surrounds the inner core, the auger portion configured to rotate to remove tissue and bone material that has been cut by the flexible cutting element at the distal end of the outer sheath and move the tissue and bone material to the proximal end of the outer sheath.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the fluid comprises at least one of air, saline, or nitrogen gas.

11. A device for the removal of bone or tissue, the device comprising:
a handle;
an outer shaft connected to the handle, the outer shaft comprising a rounded tip distal to the handle and a window on one side of the shaft near the rounded tip;
an inner core located in the outer shaft and connected to the handle, the inner core comprising a curved tip configured to cut through bone or tissue, wherein the inner core includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is closer to the handle than the distal end;
an auger portion surrounding the inner core configured to remove the bone or tissue that has been cut by the curved tip, the auger portion located between the curved tip and the handle;
a spring and a plunger provided within the outer shaft, wherein the inner core is connected to the plunger, wherein the spring is configured to press against the plunger to decrease a height of a flexible cutting element, wherein the spring is positioned distally to the plunger such that it is closer to the distal end of the inner core comprising the curved tip than the plunger;
a knob connected to the handle and to the outer shaft, the knob configured to slide the outer shaft relative to the inner core, thereby extending and retracting the curved tip through the window in the outer shaft;
a trigger connected to the plunger, whereby rotation of the trigger causes the plunger to move distally; and
a connector connecting the plunger to the motor such that when a distance between the plunger and the motor varies, the plunger is not disconnected from the motor,
an outer cor

Assignees

• Yoon Samuel
• Suh Sean
• Leonard Robert
• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• Yoon Samuel
• Suh Sean
• Leonard Robert

Classifications

• A61B17/1628

  Motors; Power supplies · CPC title

• A61B2017/00261

  Discectomy · CPC title

• A61B17/1659

  Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers · CPC title

• A61B17/320725

  with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements (A61B17/32075 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/32002

  with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments · CPC title