Transpedicular intervertebral disk access methods and devices

US7318826B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SDGI, LLC · US

Inventors

• George P. Teitelbaum · Santa Monica, US
• Samuel M. Shaolian · Newport Beach, US
• Thanh Van Nguyen · El Monte, US
• Frank Nguyen · Chino Hills, US
• To V. Pham · Trabuco Canyon, US
• Vincent Divino · Mission Viejo, US
• Michael R. Henson · Trabuco Canyon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 22, 2003
• Grant date: Jan 15, 2008
• Expiry date: Jul 23, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2002/444
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A flexible drill and method of drilling a material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a flexible drill includes a lower sub-assembly connected to an upper sub-assembly, where the lower sub-assembly comprises a retainer tube and the upper sub-assembly comprises a guiding tube; a drilling tip, and capable of orienting the drilling tip at a predetermined position after accessing a material to he drilled through a substantially straight passage having a lone axis. The predetermined position is at least 10° off of the lone axis of the substantially straight passage. According to one embodiment, a method of drilling a material includes the steps of (a) providing a flexible drill; (b) advancing the drill through a substantially straight passage until the drilling tip accesses the material to be drilled, thereby orienting the drilling tip at the predetermined position; and (c) actuating the drill.