Orthopedic surgery access devices
US7959634B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00309
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides instrumentation that facilitates access to both sides of the vertebral body from a single access point. More particularly, the present invention provides bendable access devices that can be steered so as to traverse the vertebral body from the point of entry into the vertebral body, through the cancellous bone within the vertebral body, and to the contralateral side of the vertebral body. This steerability is provided by forming the access device with a series of slots, grooves, or notches in the side of the access device near the distal end of the access device, which slots, grooves, or notches reduce the bending stiffness of the access device. As a result, the distal end of the access device bends as it is being advanced into the vertebral body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.