Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090216234 | Spinal Access Systems and Methods - A system for accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate the spine. The location may be at the L4-L5 vertebral level, and the curved path may lie in a plane oblique to the transverse, coronal and sagittal planes of the spine, and avoid the iliac crest. A targeting post may be inserted adjacent the spine to determine the location, and a guide member may be inserted to establish the curved path. A micrometer assembly may adjust a cephalad-caudal displacement between the post and the guide member. One or more intermediate cannulas may be inserted over the guide member to dilate tissues prior to insertion of the main cannula. An interbody device may be implanted into an intervertebral space through the cannula. | 08-27-2009 |
20100030065 | SURGICAL ACCESS WITH TARGET VISUALIZATION - Accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate to the spine. Positioning of the distal end of a radiolucent curved access cannula may be assisted by use of one or more radio-opaque markers. Markers may be positioned to form a cross hair image in fluoroscopy to assist in cannula placement. Radio-opaque inserts placed in and extended beyond the curved access cannula may have radiolucent windows to allow viewing of the cannula's radio-opaque markers. An appropriately placed curved access cannula may be clamped to prevent subsequent movement. Appropriate tools may be introduced through the curved access cannula and the distal radio-opaque tool heads may be viewed relative to the radio-opaque markers. The curved access cannula may be attached to the spine through one or more screws. | 02-04-2010 |
20100160947 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DILATION AND DISSECTION OF TISSUES - A minimally invasive dilation device includes a stylus, a plurality of rigid arms radially arrayed about the stylus, and a dilating member positioned between the stylus and the arms. An outer flexible sleeve may be circumferentially secured to the arms, lying within or without the plurality of arms. An inner mesh may surround the stylus and dilating member. The device may be introduced into tissue toward a targeted area, while in a closed configuration. The dilating member may be a balloon, wherein upon inflation of the balloon, the arms are pushed radially outward, expanding the device and dilating the surrounding tissue. A cannula may be inserted inside the plurality of arms to keep the arms in an open configuration, and the stylus, balloon and inner mesh may be withdrawn, providing an open passageway through the device to the targeted area. The device may be used with a neural monitoring system. | 06-24-2010 |
20100210917 | MEANS OF DIRECT VISUALIZATION THROUGH A CURVED APPROACH PATH - A coupled pair of retractors which are coupled at the distal end to allow the handles at the proximal end to be urged apart to increase the distance between handles to allow for direct line of sight to the surgical site while also allowing the use of curved tools and curved access to the surgical site. A cannula with a cross section taken perpendicular to a straight portion of the cannula that increases between the proximal end of the cannula and the distal end of the cannula allows for direct line of sight to the surgical site while also allowing the use of curved tools and curved access to the surgical site. These tools may be used in a postero-lateral approach from an incision in the back to a target position adjacent to the spine. | 08-19-2010 |
20100241142 | SUTURE PASSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An endoscopic surgical instrument for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member, a needle, and a capture feature actuable to grip and retain the suture after the suture has been passed through a tissue body. An actuation mechanism can both move the needle between retracted and extended positions, and move the capture feature between open and closed configurations, via a single actuation. The capture feature may be a trap door which is axially translatable relative to the first jaw member to overlap a portion of the first jaw member and trap a portion of the suture between the trap door and the overlapped portion. The first jaw member may be movable relative to a second jaw member to grasp a tissue body. The instrument can grasp a tissue body, pass the suture through the tissue, capture and retain the suture without being repositioned relative to the tissue. | 09-23-2010 |
20110160585 | ULTRASOUND FOR NAVIGATION THROUGH PSOAS MUSCLE - Imaging technology may be used to navigate highly innervated tissue, such as the psoas muscle, while maintaining the neural structures intact. An ultrasound transducer may be introduced into the tissue and an image may be consulted to assess the proximity of the transducer to neural structures. Alternate embodiments contemplate an expanded array of surgical applications and alternate imaging technologies. | 06-30-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110237898 | LATERAL ACCESS SYSTEM FOR THE LUMBAR SPINE - A minimally invasive dilation device includes a plurality of rigid arms radially arrayed about a center and a dilating member positioned between the arms. A stylus may occupy the center. An outer flexible sleeve may be circumferentially secured to the arms, lying within or without the plurality of arms. An inner mesh may surround the stylus and dilating member. The device may be introduced into tissue toward a targeted area, while in a closed configuration. The dilating member may be a balloon, wherein upon inflation of the balloon, the arms are pushed radially outward, expanding the device and dilating the surrounding tissue. The dilating member may be a tube, wherein upon insertion of the tube, the arms are pushed radially outward. A cannula may be inserted inside the plurality of arms to keep the arms in an open configuration, and the dilating member may be withdrawn, providing an open passageway through the device to the targeted area. The device may be used with a neural monitoring system. | 09-29-2011 |
20120022651 | DIRECT LATERAL SPINE SYSTEM INSTRUMENTS, IMPLANTS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods for spine surgery employ a guide wire temporarily anchored to a contralateral side of an intervertebral disc. The guide wire establishes a reliable pathway for passage and actuation of cannulated instruments or implants through a small working channel leading to an ipsilateral side of the disc. The guide wire may be disconnected and removed from the disc after use. | 01-26-2012 |
20120191204 | ARTHROPLASTY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems for joint arthroplasty include prostheses which are secured to bone with sliding anchors. Examples include unicondylar and bicondylar knee prostheses for hemi-arthroplasty and total arthroplasty. Instruments guide the anchors into proper engagement with the prosthetic components. Methods of using the prostheses and instruments are disclosed. | 07-26-2012 |
20120303046 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture - A suture passing instrument including an operation handle, a needle member, and a suture holder assembly. The operation handle has at least one actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion and defines an eyelet extending therethrough. The suture holder assembly extends from the operation handle and has a movable suture carrier at a distal end configured to hold a suture. The movable suture carrier has a suture pusher telescopically and movably received in the movable suture carrier. The suture carrier is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The suture pusher is movable beyond the suture carrier to carry the suture through the eyelet. | 11-29-2012 |
20130035699 | DUAL INSUFFLATION AND WOUND CLOSURE DEVICES AND METHODS - A dual functioning instrument set, comprising a needle and guide, has not only the capabilities to enter and insufflate the abdominal cavity but also the ability of a suture passer to carry and retrieve suture for closure of the incision sites at the end of the procedure. The needle contains a deployable snare that is used to pass and retrieve suture. The guide is used to repeatedly locate the needle relative to the inner abdominal wall allowing for consistent placement of sutures. For insufflation purposes, obturator tips having different distal structures are provided for shielding the sharp needle tip after insertion through a body wall. | 02-07-2013 |
20130035701 | DUAL INSUFFLATION AND WOUND CLOSURE DEVICES ANS METHODS - A dual functioning instrument set, comprising a needle and guide, has not only the capabilities to enter and insufflate the abdominal cavity but also the ability of a suture passer to carry and retrieve suture for closure of the incision sites at the end of the procedure. The needle contains a deployable snare that is used to pass and retrieve suture. The guide is used to repeatedly locate the needle relative to the inner abdominal wall allowing for consistent placement of sutures. For insufflation purposes, obturator tips having different distal structures are provided for shielding the sharp needle tip after insertion through a body wall. | 02-07-2013 |
20130090680 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DILATION AND DISSECTION OF TISSUES - A minimally invasive dilation device includes a stylus, a plurality of rigid arms radially arrayed about the stylus, and a dilating member positioned between the stylus and the arms. An outer flexible sleeve may be circumferentially secured to the arms, lying within or without the plurality of arms. An inner mesh may surround the stylus and dilating member. The device may be introduced into tissue toward a targeted area, while in a closed configuration. The dilating member may be a balloon or a cannula. During dilation, the arms are pushed radially outward, expanding the device and dilating the surrounding tissue. A cannula may be inserted inside the plurality of arms to keep the arms in an open configuration, and the stylus and inner mesh may be withdrawn, providing an open passageway through the device to the targeted area. The device may be used with a neural monitoring system. | 04-11-2013 |
20130274721 | SURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion may have a cross-sectional shape that extends along a nonlinear pathway. The intermediate portion may have a selectively bendable portion in which the cross-sectional shape varies to facilitate bending when desired. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may receive the needle in a bore shaped to change the cross-sectional shape to facilitate or restrict bending of the needle, as needed. | 10-17-2013 |
20130274768 | SURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion may have a cross-sectional shape that extends along a nonlinear pathway. The intermediate portion may have a selectively bendable portion in which the cross-sectional shape varies to facilitate bending when desired. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may receive the needle in a bore shaped to change the cross-sectional shape to facilitate or restrict bending of the needle, as needed. | 10-17-2013 |
20130282029 | SURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion may have a cross-sectional shape that extends along a nonlinear pathway. The intermediate portion may have a selectively bendable portion in which the cross-sectional shape varies to facilitate bending when desired. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may receive the needle in a bore shaped to change the cross-sectional shape to facilitate or restrict bending of the needle, as needed. | 10-24-2013 |
20140128888 | SELF LOCKING KNOTLESS SUTURE - Self-locking knotless sutures and associated methods are disclosed. A system for securing tissue includes a monofilament and a braid having a fixed end and a capture end. A first end of the monofilament is connected to the fixed end of the braid. A second end of the monofilament opposite the first end is a free end. The capture end of the braid has a first opening and a second opening. The monofilament and braid are structured and arranged for the free end of the monofilament to be inserted into the first opening, passed through a tunnel formed by the braid, and passed out of the second opening, all while moving in a first direction. After insertion of the monofilament into the braid, the braid prevents movement of the monofilament in a second direction opposite the first direction to prevent the monofilament from being pulled out of the braid. | 05-08-2014 |
20140155946 | ADJUSTABLE DEVICES FOR TREATING ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE - A method of changing a bone angle includes creating an osteotomy between a first portion and a second portion of a tibia of a patient; creating a cavity in the tibia by removing bone material along an axis extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from a first point at the tibial plateau to a second point; placing a non-invasively adjustable implant into the cavity, the non-invasively adjustable implant comprising an adjustable actuator having an outer housing and an inner shaft, telescopically disposed in the outer housing, and a driving element configured to be remotely operable to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing; coupling one of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the first portion of the tibia; coupling the other of the outer housing or the inner shaft to the second portion of the tibia; and remotely operating the driving element to telescopically displace the inner shaft in relation to the outer housing, thus changing an angle between the first portion and second portion of the tibia. | 06-05-2014 |
20140236191 | Method And Apparatus For Passing A Suture - A suture passing instrument including an operation handle, a needle member, and a suture holder assembly. The operation handle has at least one actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion and defines an eyelet extending therethrough. The suture holder assembly extends from the operation handle and has a movable suture carrier at a distal end configured to hold a suture. The movable suture carrier has a suture pusher telescopically and movably received in the movable suture carrier. The suture carrier is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The suture pusher is movable beyond the suture carrier to carry the suture through the eyelet. | 08-21-2014 |
20140257379 | COLLAPSIBLE LOCKING SUTURE - A device including a self-locking suture including both a braided section and a monofilament section is provided. The monofilament includes a single strand. The braided section includes three or more strands that are intertwined or woven together. The terminal end of the braid is compressible to take on a radially expanded configuration. The braided structure is temporarily fixable in the open configuration providing a wide berth opening. A needle at the terminal end of the monofilament is insertable through the wide berth opening and pushed out through the back wall of the expanded braid, after which the braid can be pulled on to collapse it down onto the barbed monofilament. The construct may then be tightened onto the tissues to be joined, and the one-way locking mechanism between the braided trap and the directionally biased suture automatically engages. Another aspect includes a method of fastening tissue using the device. | 09-11-2014 |