Tissue modification devices and methods

US8409206B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baxano, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael P. Wallace · Pleasanton, US
• Robert Garabedian · Tyngsborough, US
• Nestor C. Cantorna · Union City, US
• Jeffery L. Bleich · Palo Alto, US
• Roy Leguidleguid · Union City, US
• Ronald Leguidleguid · Fremont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2013
• Expiry date: May 4, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M29/02
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for cutting tissue in a patient. In some embodiments, a tissue modification region of a device includes a pair of flexible elongate cutting members extending along the length of the tissue modification region. Each elongate cutting member may be configured to cut a discrete trough into tissue to a depth that is greater than the thickness of the cutting member. In some embodiments, the device includes a spacer. The spacer may be sized and configured to operate in one of two modes. A first mode, in which the spacer is coupled to the cutting members such that it holds a portion of each of the two cutting members a distance from one another, and a second mode, in which at least a portion of the spacer is moved away from a cutting member to allow the cutting members to cut further into tissue.