Intervertebral disc device employing flexible probe

US6733496B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Oratec Interventions, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Hugh J. Sharkey · Redwood City, US
• Andy H. Uchida · Los Altos, US
• John Ashley · Danville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 6, 2001
• Grant date: May 11, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1407
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.