All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates generally to medical/surgical devices and methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a guidewire system and method for advancing one or more surgical devices between tissues in a patient.
In recent years, less invasive (or “minimally invasive”) surgical techniques have become increasingly more popular, as physicians, patients and medical device innovators have sought to achieve similar or improved outcomes, relative to conventional surgery, while reducing the trauma, recovery time and side effects typically associated with conventional surgery. Developing less invasive surgical methods and devices, however, can pose many challenges. For example, some challenges of less invasive techniques include working in a smaller operating field, working with smaller devices, and trying to operate with reduced or even no direct visualization of the structure (or structures) being treated. These challenges are compounded by the fact that target tissues to be modified often reside very close to one or more vital, non-target tissues, which the surgeon hopes not to damage. One of the initial obstacles in any given minimally invasive procedure, therefore, is positioning a minimally invasive surgical device in a desired location within the patient to perform the procedure on one or more target tissues, while avoiding damage to nearby non-target tissues.
Examples of less invasive surgical procedures include laparoscopic procedures, arthroscopic procedures, and minimally invasive approaches to spinal surgery, such as a number of less invasive intervertebral disc removal, repair and replacement techniques. One area of spinal surgery in which a number of less invasive techniques have been developed is the treatment of spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when neural and/or neurovascular tissue in the spine becomes impinged by one or more structures pressing against them, causing one or more symptoms. This impingement of tissue may occur in one or more of several different areas in the spine, such as in the central spinal canal, or more commonly in the lateral recesses of the spinal canal and/or one or more intervertebral foramina.
One common cause of spinal stenosis is buckling and thickening of the ligamentum flavum (one of the ligaments attached to and connecting the vertebrae), as shown in
In the United States, spinal stenosis occurs with an incidence of between 4% and 6% of adults aged 50 and older and is the most frequent reason cited for back surgery in patients aged 60 and older. Conservative approaches to the treatment of symptoms of spinal stenosis include systemic medications and physical therapy. Epidural steroid injections may also be utilized, but they do not provide long lasting benefits. When these approaches are inadequate, current treatment for spinal stenosis is generally limited to invasive surgical procedures to remove ligament, cartilage, bone spurs, synovial cysts, cartilage, and bone to provide increased room for neural and neurovascular tissue. The standard surgical procedure for spinal stenosis treatment includes laminectomy (complete removal of the lamina (see
Removal of vertebral bone, as occurs in laminectomy and facetectomy, often leaves the effected area of the spine very unstable, leading to a need for an additional highly invasive fusion procedure that puts extra demands on the patient's vertebrae and limits the patient's ability to move. In a spinal fusion procedure, the vertebrae are attached together with some kind of support mechanism to prevent them from moving relative to one another and to allow adjacent vertebral bones to fuse together. Unfortunately, a surgical spine fusion results in a loss of ability to move the fused section of the back, diminishing the patient's range of motion and causing stress on the discs and facet joints of adjacent vertebral segments. Such stress on adjacent vertebrae often leads to further dysfunction of the spine, back pain, lower leg weakness or pain, and/or other symptoms. Furthermore, using current surgical techniques, gaining sufficient access to the spine to perform a laminectomy, facetectomy and spinal fusion requires dissecting through a wide incision on the back and typically causes extensive muscle damage, leading to significant post-operative pain and lengthy rehabilitation. Discectomy procedures require entering through an incision in the patient's abdomen and navigating through the abdominal anatomy to arrive at the spine. Thus, while laminectomy, facetectomy, discectomy, and spinal fusion frequently improve symptoms of neural and neurovascular impingement in the short term, these procedures are highly invasive, diminish spinal function, drastically disrupt normal anatomy, and increase long-term morbidity above levels seen in untreated patients. Although a number of less invasive techniques and devices for spinal stenosis surgery have been developed, these techniques still typically require removal of significant amounts of vertebral bone and, thus, typically require spinal fusion.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have less invasive surgical methods and systems for treating spinal stenosis. For example, it would be desirable to have devices or systems for positioning a less invasive device in a patient for performing a less invasive procedure. Ideally, such systems and devices would be less invasive than currently available techniques and thus prevent damage to non-target vertebral bone and neural and neurovascular structures. Also ideally, such systems and devices would also be usable (or adaptable for use) in positioning a surgical device in parts of the body other than the spine, such as in joints for performing various arthroscopic surgical procedures, between a cancerous tumor and adjacent tissues for performing a tumor resection, and the like. At least some of these objectives will be met by the present invention.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for guiding at least a portion of a surgical device to a desired position between two tissues in a patient's body may involve: advancing a distal end of a guidewire into the patient's body, between two tissues, and out of the body, while maintaining a proximal end of the guidewire outside the body; coupling the proximal end of the guidewire with at least one coupling member on or near a distal end of a surgical device; and pulling the distal end of the guidewire to guide at least a portion of the surgical device to a desired position between the two tissues. In some embodiments, the distal end of the guidewire may be advanced through a guidewire introducer device having at least one lumen. Alternatively, the distal end of the guidewire may be advanced through a guidewire lumen of the surgical device. In some embodiments, the distal end of the guidewire may be sharpened, to facilitate its passage through tissue. For example, in various embodiments, the distal end may be passed through tissue of the patient's body by pushing and turning a guidewire having a drill-shaped or corkscrew-shaped tip. In some embodiments, the guidewire is advanced into an epidural space and through an intervertebral foramen of the patient's spine.
In one embodiment, the guidewire and coupling member may be coupled by fitting a shaped proximal end of the guidewire into the at least one coupling member at or near the distal end of the surgical device. Optionally, coupling may further involve rotating at least one of the guidewire and the surgical device to lock the shaped proximal end into the coupling member(s). In some embodiments the guidewire and surgical device may be removably coupled, while in alternative embodiments, they may be permanently coupled.
In some embodiments, the method may further include performing a surgical procedure on at least one of the two tissues, using the surgical device, removing the surgical device from the body. Such a method may optionally further involve detaching the guidewire from the surgical device, coupling the proximal end of the guidewire with a coupling member on or near a distal end of a second surgical device, pulling the distal end of the guidewire to guide at least a portion of the second surgical device to a desired position between the two tissues, and performing a surgical procedure on at least one of the two tissues, using the second surgical device. These steps may be repeated, in various embodiments, with as many surgical devices as desired. In some embodiments, the surgical procedure may be performed with the guidewire attached to the surgical device. The method may further include pulling the distal end of the guidewire and a proximal end of the surgical device, to urge an active portion of the surgical device against a target tissue. Typically, the surgical procedure may be performed on one or more target tissues while one or more non-target tissues are protected from harm by at least one atraumatic portion of the surgical device.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a procedure on a target tissue in a patient's body may involve: coupling a proximal end of a guidewire with at least one coupling member on or near a distal end of a surgical device; pulling a distal end of the guidewire to guide at least a portion of the surgical device to a desired position between the two tissues, such that an active portion of the surgical device faces target tissue and an atraumatic portion of the surgical device faces non-target tissue; and performing a procedure on the target tissue, using the surgical device. In some embodiments, the surgical device may comprise a tissue modification device, and performing the procedure may comprise modifying the target tissue with the tissue modification device coupled with the guidewire. Alternatively, the surgical device may comprise a tissue access device, and the method may further involve, before the performing step, advancing a tissue modification device through the tissue access device. Some embodiments of the method may further involve pulling on the distal end of the guidewire and a proximal end of the surgical device to urge the active portion of the surgical device against the target tissue.
In another aspect of the present invention, a system for guiding a surgical device to a desired position between two different tissues in a human body, the two tissues having a natural tissue interface therebetween, may include a guidewire having a first end and a second end with an axis therebetween and a first coupling member and a surgical device having a proximal end and a distal end with a second coupling member disposed at or near the distal end, the first and second coupling members being separable. In one embodiment, one of the coupling members may comprise a receiving coupling member configured for receiving the other coupling member so as to allow the surgical device to be pulled distally along the natural tissue interface by axial tension of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the other coupling member may comprise a small profile portion extending from a shaped element, the shaped element having a profile larger than the small profile portion, the receiving coupling member comprising a channel for receiving the shaped element and a slot for receiving the small profile portion so that the shaped element is captured by the receiving coupling member when the shaped portion is inserted into the channel and the guidewire pulls the surgical device distally along the natural tissue interface. Optionally, the other coupling member may be disposed on the guidewire, and the small profile portion may comprise a portion of the shaft of the guidewire, wherein the channel is angularly offset from the axis of the guidewire when the guidewire pulls the surgical device distally so that the coupling members are releasably affixed together by inserting the shaped element along the channel and rotating the guidewire about a rotation axis extending laterally from the axis of the guidewire.
In some embodiments, the distal end of the surgical device may be configured to effect blunt dissection of the natural tissue interface between the first and second tissues. Also in some embodiments, the first coupling member may comprise a shaped element at the first end for coupling with the at least one guidewire coupling member; and the second end may comprise a sharpened distal tip to facilitate passage through of the guidewire through tissue. For example, the shaped element may have a shape such as but not limited to that of a ball, a cylinder, a teardrop, a cube, a pyramid, a diamond or a hook. The sharpened distal tip, in various embodiments, may have a shape such as but not limited to that of pointed, beveled, double-beveled, drill-tip shaped or corkscrew. In some emboments, the receiving coupling member may comprise at least one movable part configured to move from an open position to a closed position to hold the guidewire. In some embodiments, the surgical device may comprise a tissue access device, and the system may optionally further include at least one additional surgical device configured to pass at least partway through the tissue access device to help perform a procedure on target tissue. Optionally, the system may also include a guidewire handle for coupling with the guidewire outside the body to facilitate pulling the guidewire.
In another aspect of the present invention, a tissue access device for providing access to target tissue in a patient's body while protecting non-target tissue may include: a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and at least one lumen passing longitudinally through at least the proximal portion to allow passage of at least one additional device therethrough; at least one side-facing aperture in at least one of the proximal and distal shaft portions, through which the at least one additional device may be exposed to the target tissue; and a guidewire coupling member on the distal portion of the shaft for coupling with a guidewire to allow the tissue access device to be pulled behind the guidewire to position its distal portion between the target and non-target tissues with the aperture facing the target tissue.
In various embodiments, part of the shaft may be rigid and part of the shaft may be flexible, or the entire shaft may be either rigid or flexible. For example, in some embodiments the proximal portion may be rigid and the distal portion may be at least partially flexible. Optionally, a flexible distal portion may be steerable from a relatively straight configuration to a curved configuration, and the device may further include at least one steering actuator extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion. In some embodiments, the lumen may pass through both the proximal and distal portions, and the aperture may be located in the distal portion. Alternatively, the lumen may pass through only the proximal portion, and the aperture may be positioned in a distal region of the proximal portion, such that when part of the additional device passes through the aperture, it is located above the distal portion of the shaft.
Optionally, the device may further include at least one electrode coupled with at least one surface of the distal portion of the shaft and configured to stimulate nerve tissue. In some embodiments, the guidewire coupling member may be configured to removably couple with a shaped member at one end of a guidewire. Optionally, the device may further include a handle coupled with a proximal end of the proximal portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, a system for providing access to target tissue in a patient's body while protecting non-target tissue may include a tissue access device and a guidewire configured to couple with a guidewire coupling member on the access device. The access device may include: a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and at least one lumen passing longitudinally through at least the proximal portion to allow passage of at least one additional device therethrough; at least one side-facing aperture in at least one of the proximal and distal shaft portions, through which the at least one additional device may be exposed to the target tissue; and a guidewire coupling member on the distal portion of the shaft for coupling with a guidewire to allow the tissue access device to be pulled behind the guidewire to position its distal portion between the target and non-target tissues with the aperture facing the target tissue.
In some embodiments, the guidewire may have a sharp distal tip and a shaped member on a proximal tip for coupling with the guidewire coupling member. Optionally, the system may further include at least one additional device configured to pass through the tissue access device to expose at least an active portion of the additional device through the side-facing aperture. Examples of such an additional device include, but are not limited to, tissue cutting devices, tissue ablation devices, tissue abrasion devices, other tissue removal devices, other tissue modification devices, tissue storage devices, tissue transport devices, drug delivery devices, implant delivery devices, material delivery devices, visualization devices and diagnostic devices.
Some embodiments of the system may further include one or more anchoring devices for coupling the shaft of the tissue access device with a structure inside and/or outside the patient to stabilize the tissue access device. In some embodiments, the tissue access device may further include a handle coupled with a proximal end of the proximal shaft portion. The system may also optionally include a guidewire handle for coupling with the guidewire outside the patient to facilitate pulling on the guidewire to apply tensioning force.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing access to target tissue in a patient's body while protecting non-target tissue may involve: passing a guidewire between the target and non-target tissues; coupling the guidewire with a guidewire coupling member on a distal portion of a tissue access device; and pulling the guidewire through the patient's body to pull the distal portion of the tissue access device between the target and non-target tissues such that a side-facing aperture of the tissue access device faces the target tissue. When the distal portion of the access device is positioned between the target and non-target tissues, a proximal portion of the device may extend outside the patient, such that at least one tissue modification device may be passed through at least the proximal portion to expose one or more tissue modifying members through the side-facing aperture.
Optionally, the method may further include identifying at least the non-target tissue before passing the guidewire. Also optionally, the method may further involve: advancing a first tissue modification device through the tissue access device to expose at least one tissue modification member of the device through the side-facing aperture of the access device; pulling the guidewire and at least one of the tissue access device and the tissue modification device to urge the at least one tissue modification member against the target tissue; and activating the tissue modification member(s) to modify the target tissue while protecting the non-target tissue with the distal portion of the access device. In some embodiments, the method may further involve: removing the first tissue modification device from the patient's body, through the access device; advancing a second tissue modification device through the tissue access device to expose at least one tissue modification member of the device through the side-facing aperture of the second access device; pulling the guidewire and at least one of the tissue access device and the second tissue modification device to urge the at least one tissue modification member against the target tissue; and activating the tissue modification member(s) to modify the target tissue. In some embodiments, activating the tissue modification member(s) may involve actuating at least one actuation member on a handle of the tissue access device. In some embodiments, the method may further involve coupling the tissue access device with a structure inside and/or outside the patient, using at least one anchoring device, to stabilize the access device. The method may further involve activating at least one electrode on the distal portion of the tissue access device to confirm placement of the distal portion between the target and non-target tissues.
These and other aspects and embodiments are described more fully below in the Detailed Description, with reference to the attached Drawings.
Various embodiments of a guidewire system and method for positioning one or more surgical devices in a patient are provided. Although the following description and accompanying drawing figures generally focus on positioning various surgical devices in a spine, in alternative embodiments, guidewire systems and methods of the present invention may be used to position any of a number of devices in other anatomical locations in a patient's body.
Referring to
As described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,740, tissue cutting device 11 may include a shaft 12, a proximal handle 16, a flexible distal portion 13, two or more cutting blades 26 and a guidewire coupling member 30. Guidewire system 10 may include a guidewire 32 having a sharpened tip 33 (often referred to herein as the “sharpened distal tip”) for facilitating advancement of guidewire 32 through tissue. Optionally, guidewire 32 may also include a shaped member (not visible in
In some embodiments, cutting device 11 may be advanced into a patient's back through an incision 20, which is shown in
Before or after blades 26 are located in a desired position, guidewire 32 may be removably coupled with guidewire handle 34, such as by passing guidewire 32 through a central bore in handle 34 and moving tightening member 36 to secure a portion of guidewire 32 within handle 34. A physician (or two physicians or one physician and an assistant) may then pull on proximal handle 16 and distal handle 34 to apply tensioning force to guidewire 32 and cutting device 11 and to urge the cutting portion of device 11 against ligamentum flavum (LF), superior articular process (SAP), or other tissue to be cut. Proximal handle 16 may then be actuated, such as by squeezing in the embodiment shown, to cause one or both blades 26 to move toward one another to cut tissue. Proximal handle 16 may be released and squeezed as many times as desired to remove a desired amount of tissue. When a desired amount of tissue has been cut, guidewire 32 may be released from distal handle 34, and cutter device 11 and guidewire 32 may be removed from the patient's back.
With reference now to
Referring to
Further description of methods, devices and systems for advancing a guidewire between tissues using a probe are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/429,377, entitled “Spinal Access and Neural Localization” and filed on Jul. 13, 2006, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. As described in that reference, in some embodiments, the curved distal portion of probe 40, curved guide member 46, or both may include one, two or more electrodes to help locate nerve tissue before placing guidewire 32. Such neural localization helps ensure that guidewire 32 is positioned between target and non-target tissue, which in turn helps ensure that a tissue modification device (or devices) placed using guidewire 32 are oriented so that a tissue modifying portion (or portions) of the device face and act on target tissue and not on non-target tissue such as neural tissue.
Referring now to
As depicted in
Various aspects of the method embodiment just described, such as the number or order of steps, may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, a number of alternative embodiments of various devices and device elements are described below, which may be used in various embodiments of such a method. For example, in one alternative embodiment (not shown), probe 40 and tissue modification device 52 may be combined into one device. Such a device may include a guidewire lumen through which guidewire 32 may be passed. The combined device may be partially inserted into a patient, and guidewire 32 advanced between target and non-target tissues through the guidewire lumen. Shaped member 50 of guidewire 32 may then catch on one or more coupling members 62 of the combined device, to allow the device to be pulled into position between the target and non-target tissues. Guidewire 32 may then further be used to help apply tensioning force to the device to urge an active portion against target tissues. In another alternative embodiment, access to the intervertebral foramen may be achieved using a lateral approach, rather than a medial approach. These are but two examples of many alternative embodiments, and a number of other alternatives are contemplated.
With reference now to
Referring to
In another embodiment, and with reference now to
Once access device 90 is in a desired position, with window 96 facing target tissue (such as ligamentum flavum and/or facet joint bone in the spine) and an atraumatic surface of shaft 94 facing non-target tissue, any of a number of compatible tissue modification devices 100, 101, 104 or other devices may be advanced through access device 90 to perform a tissue modification procedure or other functions. Such devices may swappable in and out of access device 90 and may be in the form of cartridges, so that various cartridges may be inserted and removed as desired, over the course of a procedure. Examples of several tissue modification devices are shown in
In one embodiment, for example, at least a distal portion of each tissue modification device 100, 101, 104 may be flexible, and a proximal portion of each modification device 100, 101, 104 may have a locking feature for locking into proximal handle 92 of access device 90. Thus, a given modification device, such as abrasive device 104, may be advanced into handle 92 and shaft 94, so that abrasive members 105 of device 104 are exposed through window 96 and locking feature 99 of device couples and locks within handle 92. A user may then grasp handles 34 and 92, pull up to urge abrasive members 105 against target tissue, and reciprocate access device 90 and guidewire system 10 back and forth to remove target tissue. The user may then choose to remove abrasive device 104 and insert one of the other devices 100, 101 to further modify target tissues.
In various embodiments, any of a number of tissue modification devices and/or other devices may be provided (for example as cartridges) for used with access device 90. In some embodiments, one or more of such devices may be provided with access device 90 and guidewire device 10 as a system or kit. Any given tissue modification device may act on tissue in a number of different ways, such as by cutting, ablating, dissecting, repairing, reducing blood flow in, shrinking, shaving, burring, biting, remodeling, biopsying, debriding, lysing, debulking, sanding, filing, planing, heating, cooling, vaporizing, delivering a drug to, and/or retracting target tissue. Non-tissue-modifying devices or cartridges may additionally or alternatively be provided, such as but not limited to devices for: capturing, storing and/or removing tissue; delivering a material such as bone wax or a pharmacologic agent such as thrombin, NSAID, local anesthetic or opioid; delivering an implant; placing a rivet, staple or similar device for retracting tissue; delivering a tissue dressing; cooling or freezing tissue for analgesia or to change the tissue's modulus of elasticity to facilitate tissue modification; visualizing tissue; and/or diagnosing, such as by using ultrasound, MRI, reflectance spectroscopy or the like. In given method, system or kit, any combination of tissue modification and/or non-tissue-modifying devices may be used with access device 90.
With reference now to
With reference to
In another embodiment, and with reference to
Referring now to
With reference now to
In addition to various materials, tissue access device 240 may have any desired combination of dimensions and shapes. In some embodiments, for example, shaft 242 and distal extension 246 have different cross-sectional shapes, while in other embodiments, they may have the same cross-sectional shape. Some embodiments may include additional features, such as a mechanism for changing distal extension 246 from a straight configuration to a curved configuration (such as with one or more pull wires).
Any of a number of different surgical/tissue modification devices, such as but not limited to those described in reference to
Referring to
Any of the embodiments described in
With reference now to
In the embodiment shown, guidewire 134 may be coupled with coupling member 130 by first placing guidewire 134 through slit 131 into bore 132, as shown in perspective view
As with many of the embodiments described previously and hereafter, guidewire coupling member 130 may be either attached to or formed as an integral part of surgical device distal portion 138, according to various embodiments. Coupling member 130 may be made of any suitable material, as has been mentioned previously, and may have any desired dimensions and any of a number of different configurations, some of which are described in further detail below. In various embodiments, coupling member 130 may be attached to an extreme distal end of surgical device 138 or may be positioned at or near the extreme distal end. Although coupling member 130 is typically attached to or extending from a top or upper surface of surgical device 138, in some embodiments it may alternatively be positioned on a bottom/lower surface or other surface.
In another embodiment, and with reference now to
Referring to
An alternative embodiment of a guidewire coupling member 160 is depicted in
As depicted in
Referring now to
Turning to
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, and referring now to
With reference now to
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
Referring to
In another embodiment, with reference to
In yet another embodiment, and with reference now to
Referring to
Another embodiment of a guidewire coupling member 420 is shown in
Referring to
In another embodiment, and with reference now to
Turning to
In various embodiments, guidewires may comprise a solid wire, a braided wire, a core with an outer covering or the like, and may be made of any suitable material. For example, in one embodiment, a guidewire may be made of Nitinol. In various alternative embodiments, guidewires may be made from any of a number of metals, polymers, ceramics, or composites thereof. Suitable metals, for example, may include but are not limited to stainless steel (303, 304, 316, 316L), nickel-titanium alloy, tungsten carbide alloy, or cobalt-chromium alloy, for example, Elgiloy® (Elgin Specialty Metals, Elgin, Ill., USA), Conichrome® (Carpenter Technology, Reading, Pa., USA), or Phynox® (Imphy SA, Paris, France). In some embodiments, materials for guidewires or for portions or coatings of guidewires may be chosen for their electrically conductive or thermally resistive properties. Suitable polymers include but are not limited to nylon, polyester, Dacron®, polyethylene, acetal, Delrin® (DuPont, Wilmington, Del.), polycarbonate, nylon, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). In some embodiments, polymers may be glass-filled to add strength and stiffness. Ceramics may include but are not limited to aluminas, zirconias, and carbides.
In the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
With reference to
Clamping mechanism 222 may include, for example, a snap ring 226, a keeper washer 228, a flat anvil 230, and a cage barrel 232, all of which fit within central bore 221 of handle body 225. Lock lever 224 may be coupled with a pinch screw 234 and a shoulder screw 236. When lock lever 224 is turned in one direction, it pushes shoulder screw 236 against clamping mechanism 222 to cause mechanism 222 to clamp down on a guidewire. Lock lever 224 may be turned in an opposite direction to loosen clamping mechanism 222, thus allowing a guidewire to be introduced into or release from central guidewire aperture 223.
Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth in the claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/468,247, filed Aug. 29, 2006 entitled “TISSUE ACCESS GUIDEWIRE SYSTEM AND METHOD”, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully by reference. The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/468,252, entitled “TISSUE ACCESS GUIDEWIRE SYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed Aug. 29, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
184804 | Stohlmann | Nov 1876 | A |
289104 | How | Nov 1883 | A |
863389 | Harkin | Aug 1907 | A |
1039487 | Casebolt | Sep 1912 | A |
1201467 | Hoglund | Oct 1916 | A |
1374638 | De Cew et al. | Apr 1921 | A |
1543195 | Thygesen | Jun 1925 | A |
1690812 | Bertels | Nov 1928 | A |
1938200 | Wells | Dec 1933 | A |
2243757 | Kohls et al. | May 1941 | A |
2269749 | Wilkie | Jan 1942 | A |
2372553 | Coddington | Mar 1945 | A |
2437697 | Kalom | Mar 1948 | A |
2516882 | Kalom | Aug 1950 | A |
2704064 | Fizzell | May 1955 | A |
2820281 | Amsen | Jan 1958 | A |
2843128 | Storz | Jul 1958 | A |
2982005 | Booth | May 1961 | A |
RE25582 | Davies | May 1964 | E |
3150470 | Barron | Sep 1964 | A |
3200814 | Taylor et al. | Aug 1965 | A |
3214824 | Brown | Nov 1965 | A |
3389447 | Theobald et al. | Jun 1968 | A |
3491776 | Fleming | Jan 1970 | A |
3495590 | Zeiller | Feb 1970 | A |
3528152 | Funakubo et al. | Sep 1970 | A |
3624484 | Colyer | Nov 1971 | A |
3640280 | Slanker et al. | Feb 1972 | A |
3651844 | Barnes | Mar 1972 | A |
3664329 | Naylor | May 1972 | A |
3682162 | Colyer | Aug 1972 | A |
3699729 | Garvey et al. | Oct 1972 | A |
3752166 | Lyon et al. | Aug 1973 | A |
3774355 | Dawson et al. | Nov 1973 | A |
3830226 | Staub et al. | Aug 1974 | A |
3835859 | Roberts et al. | Sep 1974 | A |
3956858 | Catlin et al. | May 1976 | A |
3957036 | Normann | May 1976 | A |
3978862 | Morrison | Sep 1976 | A |
3999294 | Shoben | Dec 1976 | A |
4015931 | Thakur | Apr 1977 | A |
4099519 | Warren | Jul 1978 | A |
4108182 | Hartman et al. | Aug 1978 | A |
4160320 | Wikoff | Jul 1979 | A |
4172440 | Schneider et al. | Oct 1979 | A |
4203444 | Bonnell et al. | May 1980 | A |
4207897 | Lloyd et al. | Jun 1980 | A |
4259276 | Rawlings | Mar 1981 | A |
4405061 | Bergandy | Sep 1983 | A |
D273806 | Bolesky et al. | May 1984 | S |
4464836 | Hissa | Aug 1984 | A |
4502184 | Karubian | Mar 1985 | A |
4515168 | Chester et al. | May 1985 | A |
4518022 | Valdes et al. | May 1985 | A |
4545374 | Jacobson | Oct 1985 | A |
4573448 | Kambin | Mar 1986 | A |
4580545 | Dorsten | Apr 1986 | A |
4590949 | Pohndorf | May 1986 | A |
4616660 | Johns | Oct 1986 | A |
4621636 | Fogarty | Nov 1986 | A |
4625725 | Davison et al. | Dec 1986 | A |
4660571 | Hess et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4678459 | Onik et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4690642 | Kyotani | Sep 1987 | A |
4700702 | Nilsson | Oct 1987 | A |
4709699 | Michael et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4741343 | Bowman | May 1988 | A |
4750249 | Richardson | Jun 1988 | A |
4794931 | Yock | Jan 1989 | A |
4808157 | Coombs | Feb 1989 | A |
4817628 | Zealear et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4856193 | Grachan | Aug 1989 | A |
4867155 | Isaacson | Sep 1989 | A |
4872452 | Alexson | Oct 1989 | A |
4873978 | Ginsburg | Oct 1989 | A |
4883460 | Zanetti | Nov 1989 | A |
4894063 | Nashe | Jan 1990 | A |
4912799 | Coleman, Jr. | Apr 1990 | A |
RE33258 | Onik et al. | Jul 1990 | E |
4943295 | Hartlaub et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4946462 | Watanabe | Aug 1990 | A |
4957117 | Wysham | Sep 1990 | A |
4962766 | Herzon | Oct 1990 | A |
4973329 | Park et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
4990148 | Worrick, III et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4994036 | Biscoping et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4994072 | Bhate et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4995200 | Eberhart | Feb 1991 | A |
5019082 | Frey et al. | May 1991 | A |
5025787 | Sutherland et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5026379 | Yoon | Jun 1991 | A |
5026386 | Michelson | Jun 1991 | A |
5078137 | Edell et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5089003 | Fallin et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5100424 | Jang et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5108403 | Stern | Apr 1992 | A |
5123400 | Edgerton | Jun 1992 | A |
5125928 | Parins et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5147364 | Comparetto | Sep 1992 | A |
5152749 | Giesy et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5161534 | Berthiaume | Nov 1992 | A |
5163939 | Winston | Nov 1992 | A |
5176649 | Wakabayashi | Jan 1993 | A |
5178145 | Rea | Jan 1993 | A |
5178161 | Kovacs | Jan 1993 | A |
5191888 | Palmer et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5195507 | Bilweis | Mar 1993 | A |
5201704 | Ray | Apr 1993 | A |
5215105 | Kizelshteyn et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5219358 | Bendel et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5234435 | Seagrave, Jr. | Aug 1993 | A |
5242418 | Weinstein | Sep 1993 | A |
5250035 | Smith et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5255691 | Otten | Oct 1993 | A |
5271415 | Foerster et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5281218 | Imran | Jan 1994 | A |
5284153 | Raymond et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5284154 | Raymond et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5300077 | Howell | Apr 1994 | A |
5325868 | Kimmelstiel | Jul 1994 | A |
5341807 | Nardella | Aug 1994 | A |
5351679 | Mayzels et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5353784 | Nady-Mohamed | Oct 1994 | A |
5353789 | Schlobohm | Oct 1994 | A |
5353802 | Ollmar | Oct 1994 | A |
5360441 | Otten | Nov 1994 | A |
5365928 | Rhinehart et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
5374261 | Yoon | Dec 1994 | A |
5383879 | Phillips | Jan 1995 | A |
5385146 | Goldreyer | Jan 1995 | A |
5387218 | Meswania | Feb 1995 | A |
5396880 | Kagan et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
5421348 | Larnard | Jun 1995 | A |
5423331 | Wysham | Jun 1995 | A |
5437661 | Rieser | Aug 1995 | A |
5439464 | Shapiro | Aug 1995 | A |
5441044 | Tovey et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5441510 | Simpson et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5454815 | Geisser et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5456254 | Pietroski et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5496325 | McLees | Mar 1996 | A |
5512037 | Russell et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5515848 | Corbett, III et al. | May 1996 | A |
5531749 | Michelson | Jul 1996 | A |
5534009 | Lander | Jul 1996 | A |
5546958 | Thorud et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5554110 | Edwards et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5555892 | Tipton | Sep 1996 | A |
5560372 | Cory | Oct 1996 | A |
5562695 | Obenchain | Oct 1996 | A |
5571181 | Li | Nov 1996 | A |
5582618 | Chin et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5591170 | Spievack et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
5598848 | Swanson et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5620447 | Smith et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5630426 | Eggers et al. | May 1997 | A |
5634475 | Wolvek | Jun 1997 | A |
5643304 | Schechter et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5651373 | Mah | Jul 1997 | A |
5656012 | Sienkiewicz | Aug 1997 | A |
5680860 | Imran | Oct 1997 | A |
5681324 | Kammerer et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5697889 | Slotman et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5709697 | Ratcliff et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5725530 | Popken | Mar 1998 | A |
5735792 | Vanden Hoek et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5755732 | Green et al. | May 1998 | A |
5759159 | Masreliez | Jun 1998 | A |
5762629 | Kambin | Jun 1998 | A |
5766168 | Mantell | Jun 1998 | A |
5769865 | Kermode et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5775331 | Raymond et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5779642 | Nightengale | Jul 1998 | A |
5788653 | Lorenzo | Aug 1998 | A |
5792044 | Foley et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5795308 | Russin | Aug 1998 | A |
5800350 | Coppleson et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5803902 | Sienkiewicz et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5803904 | Mehdizadeh | Sep 1998 | A |
5807263 | Chance | Sep 1998 | A |
5810744 | Chu et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5813405 | Montano, Jr. et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5824040 | Cox et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5830151 | Hadzic et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5830157 | Foote | Nov 1998 | A |
5830188 | Abouleish | Nov 1998 | A |
5833692 | Cesarini et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5836810 | Åsum | Nov 1998 | A |
5836948 | Zucherman et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5843110 | Dross et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5846196 | Siekmeyer et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5846244 | Cripe | Dec 1998 | A |
5851191 | Gozani | Dec 1998 | A |
5851209 | Kummer et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5851214 | Larsen et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5853373 | Griffith et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5865844 | Plaia et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5868767 | Farley et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5879353 | Terry | Mar 1999 | A |
5885219 | Nightengale | Mar 1999 | A |
5895417 | Pomeranz et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5897583 | Meyer et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5899909 | Claren et al. | May 1999 | A |
5904657 | Unsworth et al. | May 1999 | A |
5916173 | Kirsner | Jun 1999 | A |
5918604 | Whelan | Jul 1999 | A |
5919190 | VanDusseldorp | Jul 1999 | A |
5928158 | Aristides | Jul 1999 | A |
5928159 | Eggers et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5941822 | Skladnev et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5961522 | Mehdizadeh | Oct 1999 | A |
5972013 | Schmidt | Oct 1999 | A |
5976110 | Greengrass et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5976146 | Ogawa et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6002964 | Feler et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6004326 | Castro et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6004330 | Middleman et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6010493 | Snoke | Jan 2000 | A |
6015406 | Goble et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6022362 | Lee et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6030383 | Benderev | Feb 2000 | A |
6030401 | Marino | Feb 2000 | A |
6038480 | Hrdlicka et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6048345 | Berke et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6068642 | Johnson et al. | May 2000 | A |
6073051 | Sharkey et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6099514 | Sharkey et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6102930 | Simmons, Jr. | Aug 2000 | A |
6106558 | Picha | Aug 2000 | A |
6113534 | Koros et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
D432384 | Simons | Oct 2000 | S |
6132387 | Gozani et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6136014 | Sirimanne et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6142993 | Whayne et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6142994 | Swanson et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6146380 | Racz et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6152894 | Kubler | Nov 2000 | A |
6169916 | West | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6205360 | Carter | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6214001 | Casscells et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6214016 | Williams et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6236892 | Feler | May 2001 | B1 |
6251115 | Williams et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6256540 | Panescu et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6259945 | Epstein et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6261582 | Needham et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6266551 | Osadchy et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6266558 | Gozani et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6267760 | Swanson | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6272367 | Chance | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6277094 | Schendel | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6280447 | Marino et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6292702 | King et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6298256 | Meyer | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6312392 | Herzon | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6324418 | Crowley et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6324432 | Rigaux et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6325764 | Griffith et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6334068 | Hacker | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6343226 | Sunde et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6358254 | Anderson | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6360750 | Gerber et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6364886 | Sklar | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6368324 | Dinger et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6370411 | Osadchy et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6370435 | Panescu et al. | Apr 2002 | B2 |
6383509 | Donovan et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6390906 | Subramanian | May 2002 | B1 |
6391028 | Fanton et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6416505 | Fleischman et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6423071 | Lawson | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6423080 | Gellman et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6425859 | Foley et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6425887 | McGuckin et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6428486 | Ritchart et al. | Aug 2002 | B2 |
6436101 | Hamada | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6442848 | Dean | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6446621 | Svensson | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6451335 | Goldenheim et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454767 | Alleyne | Sep 2002 | B2 |
6464682 | Snoke | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6466817 | Kaula et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6468289 | Bonutti | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6470209 | Snoke | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6478805 | Marino et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6487439 | Skladnev et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6488636 | Bryan et al. | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6491646 | Blackledge | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6500128 | Marino | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6500189 | Lang et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6512958 | Swoyer et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6516223 | Hofmann | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6520907 | Foley et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6527786 | Davis et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6533749 | Mitusina et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6535759 | Epstein et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6540742 | Thomas et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6540761 | Houser | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6546270 | Goldin et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6558353 | Zohmann | May 2003 | B2 |
6558390 | Cragg | May 2003 | B2 |
6562033 | Shah et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
6564078 | Marino et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6564079 | Cory et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6564088 | Soller et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6569160 | Goldin et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6575979 | Cragg | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6579291 | Keith et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6584345 | Govari | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6592559 | Pakter et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6595932 | Ferrera | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6597955 | Panescu et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6606523 | Jenkins | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6607530 | Carl et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6609018 | Cory et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6610066 | Dinger et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6620129 | Stecker et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6622731 | Daniel et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6624510 | Chan et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6626916 | Yeung et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6632184 | Truwit | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6638233 | Corvi et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
RE38335 | Aust et al. | Nov 2003 | E |
6648883 | Francischelli et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6666874 | Heitzmann et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6673063 | Brett | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6673068 | Berube | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6678552 | Pearlman | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682535 | Hoogland | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682536 | Vardi et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6685709 | Sklar | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6699246 | Zucherman et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6723049 | Skladnev et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6726531 | Harrel | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6726685 | To et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6733496 | Sharkey et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
6736815 | Ginn | May 2004 | B2 |
6736835 | Pellegrino et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
6746451 | Middleton et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6752814 | Gellman et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6760616 | Hoey et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6764491 | Frey et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6772012 | Ricart et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6776765 | Soukup et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6786876 | Cox | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6788966 | Kenan et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6790210 | Cragg et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6795737 | Gielen et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6805695 | Keith et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6805697 | Helm et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6807444 | Tu et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6830561 | Jansen et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6830570 | Frey et al. | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6832111 | Tu et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6845264 | Skladnev et al. | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6847849 | Mamo et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6851430 | Tsou | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6865409 | Getsla et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6872204 | Houser | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6875221 | Cull | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6882879 | Rock | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6884220 | Aviv et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6890353 | Cohn et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6895283 | Erickson et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6899716 | Cragg | May 2005 | B2 |
6907884 | Pellegrino et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6911003 | Anderson et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6911016 | Balzum et al. | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6916328 | Brett | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6923813 | Phillips et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6929647 | Cohen | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6949104 | Griffis et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6953461 | McClurken et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6962587 | Johnson et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6969392 | Gitis et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6971986 | Staskin et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6972199 | Lebouitz et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6973342 | Swanson | Dec 2005 | B1 |
6976986 | Berube | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6991643 | Saadat | Jan 2006 | B2 |
6994693 | Tal | Feb 2006 | B2 |
6997934 | Snow et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
6999820 | Jordan | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7001333 | Hamel et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7008431 | Simonson | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7010352 | Hogan | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7011635 | Delay | Mar 2006 | B1 |
7011663 | Michelson | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7014616 | Ferrera | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7033373 | de la Torre et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7041099 | Thomas et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7047084 | Erickson et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7048682 | Neisz et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7050848 | Hoey et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7063682 | Whayne et al. | Jun 2006 | B1 |
7069083 | Finch et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7070556 | Anderson et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7070596 | Woloszko et al. | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7079883 | Marino et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7081122 | Reiley et al. | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7087053 | Vanney | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7087058 | Cragg | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7107104 | Keravel et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7118576 | Gitis et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7141019 | Pearlman | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7166073 | Ritland | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7166081 | McKinley | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7166107 | Anderson | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7169107 | Jersey-Willuhn et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7172562 | McKinley | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7177677 | Kaula et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7181289 | Pflueger et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7189240 | Dekel | Mar 2007 | B1 |
7192430 | Truckai et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7198598 | Smith et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7198626 | Lee et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7207949 | Miles et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7211082 | Hall et al | May 2007 | B2 |
7214186 | Ritland | May 2007 | B2 |
7214197 | Prass | May 2007 | B2 |
7216001 | Hacker et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7223278 | Davison et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7236832 | Hemmerling et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7238189 | Schmieding et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7239911 | Scholz | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7245789 | Bates et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7270658 | Woloszko et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7270659 | Ricart et al. | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7282033 | Urmey | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7282061 | Sharkey et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7295881 | Cohen et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7318823 | Sharps et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7337005 | Kim et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7337006 | Kim et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7367972 | Francischelli et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
7383639 | Malandain | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7390330 | Harp | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7419487 | Johnson et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7449019 | Uchida et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7452351 | Miller et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7470236 | Kelleher et al. | Dec 2008 | B1 |
7476226 | Weikel et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7494473 | Eggers et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
7500977 | Assell et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7503920 | Siegal | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7507218 | Aliski et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7522953 | Gharib et al. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7553307 | Bleich et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7555343 | Bleich | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7578819 | Bleich et al. | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7617006 | Metzler et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7641658 | Shaolian et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7648521 | Hestad | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7655026 | Justis et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7666186 | Harp | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7666209 | Zucherman et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7738968 | Bleich | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7738969 | Bleich | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7740631 | Bleich et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7857813 | Schmitz et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7887538 | Bleich et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7918849 | Bleich et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7938830 | Saadat et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
8192435 | Bleich et al. | Jun 2012 | B2 |
8192436 | Schmitz et al. | Jun 2012 | B2 |
20010014806 | Ellman et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010025192 | Gerber et al. | Sep 2001 | A1 |
20010039419 | Francischelli et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020022788 | Corvi et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020029060 | Hogendijk | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020106681 | Wexler et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020138091 | Pflueger | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020165590 | Crowe et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020183647 | Gozani et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030015203 | Makower et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030074037 | Moore et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030105503 | Marino | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030113906 | Sangha et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030130655 | Woloszko et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030130738 | Hovda et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030167021 | Shimm | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030187368 | Sata et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030188749 | Nichols et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030212400 | Bloemer et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030225412 | Shiraishi | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030225415 | Richard | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040006379 | Brett | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040006391 | Reiley | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040019359 | Worley et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040030330 | Brassell et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040049208 | Hill et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040059260 | Truwit | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040064058 | McKay | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040097927 | Yeung et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040098074 | Erickson et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040106940 | Shaolian et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040111084 | Brett | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040122433 | Loubens et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040122482 | Tung et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040127893 | Hovda | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040143165 | Alleyne | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040143280 | Suddaby | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040162609 | Hossainy et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040167444 | Laroya et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040167553 | Simpson et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040181150 | Evans et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040199084 | Kelleher et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040199159 | Lee et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040220576 | Sklar | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040225233 | Frankowski | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040260358 | Vaughan et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050027199 | Clarke | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050033393 | Daglow | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050049592 | Keith et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050149035 | Pimenta et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050171587 | Daglow et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050182454 | Gharib et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050187537 | Loeb et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050197661 | Carrison et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050203599 | Garabedian et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050209610 | Carrison | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050209617 | Koven et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050209622 | Carrison | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050216023 | Aram et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050222598 | Ho et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050222647 | Wahlstrand et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050256423 | Kirsner | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050261692 | Carrison et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050267529 | Crockett et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050277942 | Kullas et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050283148 | Janssen et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050283204 | Buhlmann et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060004369 | Patel et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060015035 | Rock | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060025702 | Sterrantino et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060025703 | Miles et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060025797 | Lock et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060030854 | Haines | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060036211 | Solsberg et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060036271 | Schomer et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060036272 | Solsberg et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060058732 | Harp | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060064101 | Arramon | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060079919 | Harp | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060085048 | Cory et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060085049 | Cory et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060089633 | Bleich et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060089650 | Nolde | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060089688 | Panescu | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060095028 | Bleich | May 2006 | A1 |
20060095059 | Bleich et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060100651 | Bleich | May 2006 | A1 |
20060122458 | Bleich | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060122620 | Kim | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060122653 | Bradley et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060122654 | Bradley et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060142753 | Francischelli et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060149278 | Abdou | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060161189 | Harp | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060173374 | Neubardt et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060184175 | Schomer et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060195107 | Jones et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060200153 | Harp | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060200154 | Harp | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060200155 | Harp | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060200219 | Thrope et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060206115 | Schomer et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060206117 | Harp | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060206118 | Kim et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060206178 | Kim | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060224060 | Garell et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060224078 | Hoey et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060235451 | Schomer et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060235452 | Schomer et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060241648 | Bleich et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060264952 | Nelson et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060264994 | Schomer et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060271080 | Suddaby | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060276720 | McGinnis et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060276802 | Vresilovic et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060276836 | Bergin et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070010717 | Cragg | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070016097 | Farquhar et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070016185 | Tullis et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070027464 | Way et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070027514 | Gerber | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070049962 | Marino et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070055215 | Tran et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070055262 | Tomita et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070055263 | Way et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070073356 | Rooney et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070106219 | Grabinsky | May 2007 | A1 |
20070123766 | Whalen, III et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070123888 | Bleich et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070123890 | Way et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070162044 | Marino | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070162061 | Way et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070162062 | Norton et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070166345 | Pavcnik et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070198019 | Schomer et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070213583 | Kim et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070213584 | Kim et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070213733 | Bleich et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070213734 | Bleich et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070213735 | Saadat et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070213795 | Bradley et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070225703 | Schmitz et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070255162 | Abboud et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070255369 | Bonde et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070260252 | Schmitz et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070270795 | Francischelli et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070270865 | Arnin et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070276286 | Miller | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070276390 | Solsberg et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070282217 | McGinnis et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20070293782 | Marino | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20070299403 | Crowe et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20070299459 | Way et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080033465 | Schmitz et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080051812 | Schmitz et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080058820 | Harp | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080058874 | Westlund et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080064945 | Marino et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080064976 | Kelleher et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080064977 | Kelleher et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080065178 | Kelleher et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080071191 | Kelleher et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080086034 | Schmitz et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080091227 | Schmitz et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080097465 | Rollins et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080103504 | Schmitz et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080119711 | Nikumb et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080125621 | Gellman et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080125709 | Chang et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080140153 | Burdulis | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080140169 | Imran | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080146867 | Gellman et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080147084 | Bleich et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080161809 | Schmitz et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080161810 | Melkent | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080197024 | Simpson et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080200912 | Long et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080221383 | Way et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080221586 | Garcia-Bengochea et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080255439 | Tang et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080275458 | Bleich et al. | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20080288005 | Jackson | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20080312660 | Bleich et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20080319459 | Al-najjar | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090018507 | Schmitz et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090018610 | Gharib et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090036936 | Solsberg et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090054804 | Gharib et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090054936 | Eggen et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090054941 | Eggen et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090062871 | Chin et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090062872 | Chin et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090069709 | Schmitz et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090105604 | Bertagnoli et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090105788 | Bartol et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090118709 | Sand et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090124934 | Rabbitte et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090138056 | Anderson et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090143807 | Sand | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090143829 | Shluzas | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090149865 | Schmitz et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090171381 | Schmitz et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090177112 | Gharib et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090177144 | Masmanidis et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090177241 | Bleich et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090182382 | Justis et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090192403 | Gharib et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090204016 | Gharib et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090204119 | Bleich et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090209879 | Kaula et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090216284 | Chin et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090299166 | Nishida et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100004654 | Schmitz et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100010334 | Bleich et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100057087 | Cha | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100094231 | Bleich et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100274250 | Wallace et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20100331883 | Schmitz et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20100331900 | Garabedian et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20110004207 | Wallace et al. | Jan 2011 | A1 |
20110060314 | Wallace et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110112539 | Wallace et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20110160731 | Bleich et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110160772 | Arcenio et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110190772 | Saadat | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20110196257 | Schmitz et al. | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20110224709 | Bleich | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110224710 | Bleich | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120022538 | Schmitz et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
20120065639 | Schmitz et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120078255 | Bleich et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120095468 | Wallace et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120123294 | Sun et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
20120143206 | Wallace et al. | Jun 2012 | A1 |
20130012831 | Schmitz et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130053851 | Schmitz et al. | Feb 2013 | A1 |
20130053853 | Schmitz et al. | Feb 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
3209403 | Sep 1983 | DE |
4036804 | May 1992 | DE |
359883 | Mar 1990 | EP |
1304080 | Apr 2003 | EP |
1340467 | Sep 2003 | EP |
1207794 | May 2004 | EP |
1315463 | May 2005 | EP |
1611851 | Jan 2006 | EP |
1006885 | Sep 2006 | EP |
2706309 | Dec 1994 | FR |
2960140 | Oct 1999 | JP |
23116868 | Apr 2003 | JP |
24065380 | Mar 2004 | JP |
2107459 | Mar 1998 | RU |
WO9222259 | Dec 1992 | WO |
WO-9622057 | Jul 1996 | WO |
WO9714362 | Apr 1997 | WO |
WO-9734536 | Sep 1997 | WO |
WO-9918866 | Apr 1999 | WO |
WO-9921500 | May 1999 | WO |
WO-0067651 | Nov 2000 | WO |
WO-0108571 | Feb 2001 | WO |
WO-0162168 | Aug 2001 | WO |
WO-0207901 | Jan 2002 | WO |
WO-0234120 | May 2002 | WO |
WO-02076311 | Oct 2002 | WO |
WO-03026482 | Apr 2003 | WO |
WO-03066147 | Aug 2003 | WO |
WO-2004002331 | Jan 2004 | WO |
WO-2004028351 | Apr 2004 | WO |
WO-2004043272 | May 2004 | WO |
WO-2004056267 | Jul 2004 | WO |
WO-2004078066 | Sep 2004 | WO |
WO-2004080316 | Sep 2004 | WO |
WO-2004096080 | Nov 2004 | WO |
WO-2005009300 | Feb 2005 | WO |
WO-2005057467 | Jun 2005 | WO |
WO-2005077282 | Aug 2005 | WO |
WO-2005089433 | Sep 2005 | WO |
WO-2006009705 | Jan 2006 | WO |
WO-2006015302 | Feb 2006 | WO |
WO-2006017507 | Feb 2006 | WO |
WO-2006039279 | Apr 2006 | WO |
WO-2006042206 | Apr 2006 | WO |
WO-2006044727 | Apr 2006 | WO |
WO-2006047598 | May 2006 | WO |
WO-2006058079 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO-2006058195 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO-2006062555 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO-2006086241 | Aug 2006 | WO |
WO-2006099285 | Sep 2006 | WO |
WO-2006102085 | Sep 2006 | WO |
WO-2007008709 | Jan 2007 | WO |
WO-2007021588 | Feb 2007 | WO |
WO-2007022194 | Feb 2007 | WO |
WO-2007059343 | Feb 2007 | WO |
WO-2007067632 | Jun 2007 | WO |
WO-2008008898 | Jan 2008 | WO |
WO-2008157513 | Dec 2008 | WO |
WO-2009012265 | Jan 2009 | WO |
WO-2009018220 | Feb 2009 | WO |
WO-2009021116 | Feb 2009 | WO |
WO-2009036156 | Mar 2009 | WO |
WO-2009046046 | Apr 2009 | WO |
WO-2009058566 | May 2009 | WO |
WO-2009151926 | Dec 2009 | WO |
WO-2010014538 | Apr 2010 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Arcenio et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 12/980,165 entitled “Systems and Methods for Performing Spinal Fusion”, filed Dec. 28, 2010. |
Bleich et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 12/984,162 entitled “Devices and Methods for Tissue Access”, filed Jan. 4, 2011. |
Wallace et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 12/911,537 entitled “Devices and Methods for Treating Tissue”, filed Oct. 25, 2010. |
Wallace et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/007,381 entitled “Tissue Modification Devices”, filed Jan. 14, 2011. |
Mopec Bone-Cutting tool, Product brochure, Total pp. 4. First accessed Dec. 15, 2005. |
Edwards et al; “T-Saw Laminoplasty for the Management of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy,” SPINE, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 2000, vol. 25 (14): 1788-1794. Jan. 1, 2000. |
Honl et al; “The Use of Water-Jetting Technology in Prostheses Revision Surgery—First Results of Parameter Studies on Bone and Bone Cement,” J. Biomed Mater Res (Applied Biomaterials), John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2000, 53, 6: 781-790. Jan. 1, 2000. |
Jun, Byung-Yoon, “Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion With Restoration of Lamina and Facet Fusion,” SPINE, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 2000, vol. 25 No. 8, 917-922. Jan. 1, 2000. |
Abdel-Wanis et al., “Tumor growth potential after tumoral and instrumental contamination: an in-vivo comparative study of T-saw, Gigli saw, and scalpel,” Journal of orthopaedic science, 2001, vol. 6, 424-429. Jan. 1, 2001. |
Codman Laminectomy Shaver (a Johnson & Johnson company www.codman.com) catalogue, pp. 416-431, [online] Retrieved from the internet: <URL: http:||www.codman.com/PDFs/Catalog—04—R.pdf >. Jan. 1, 2001. |
Ellman Int. Disc-FX System Accessories K052241 [online] Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: http://www.ellman.com/ medical/ >. Jan. 1, 2001. |
Hara et al., “En Bloc Laminoplasty Performed with Threadwire Saw: Technical Note,” Neurosurgery, Jan. 2001, vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 235-239. Jan. 1, 2001. |
Hata et al; “A less invasive surgery for rotator cuff tear: Mini-open repair,” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2001, vol. 10 No. 1, 11-16. Jan. 1, 2001. |
Integra Ruggles TM Kerrison Rongeurs [online] Retrieved from the internet: <URL: http://www.integra-ls.com/products!? product=22>. Jan. 1, 2001. |
US Surgical Kerrison Spinal Rongeur K943116 [online] Retrieved from the internet: <URL: http://www.ussurg.com/uss/index.html>. Jan. 1, 2001. |
Sen, Cengiz, Tibia proksimalinde Gigli testeresi ile yapilanperkütan osteotominin güvenilirligie Kadavra calismasi, Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica, 2002, vol. 36, 136-140; (in Russian w/ Eng Summary). Jan. 1, 2002. |
Shiraishi T., “A new technique for exposure of the cervical spine laminae,” Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2002, vol. 96(1), 122-126. Jan. 1, 2002. |
Shiraishi T., Skip laminectomy—a new treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy, preserving bilateral muscular attachments to the spinous processes: a preliminary report, Spine, 2002, vol. 2(2), 108-115. Jan. 1, 2002. |
Tomita et al., “The Use of the T-Saw for Expansive Midline laminoplasty in the Treatment of Cervical Myelopathy,” Orthopedics and Traumatology, No. 3, pp. 169-178, 2002 Jan. 1, 2002. |
Martin-Benlloch et al., “Expansive Laminoplasty as a Method for Managing Cervical Multilevel Spondylotic Myelopathy,” Spine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 2003, vol. 28 No. 7, 680-684. Jan. 1, 2003. |
Miyamoto et al., “Kyphectomy Using a Surgical Threadwire (T-saw) for Kyphotic Deformity in a Child With Myelomeningocele,” SPINE, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 2003, vol. 28 No. 10, E187-E190. Jan. 1, 2003. |
Shiraishi et al., “Results of Skip Laminectomy -Minimum 2-Year Follow-up Study Compared With Open-Door Laminoplasty,” Spine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 2003, vol. 28 No. 24, 2667-2672. Jan. 1, 2003. |
Takada et al., “Unusual Metastasis to the Cauda Equina From Renal Cell Carcinoma,” SPINE, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 2003, vol. 28 No. 6, E114-E117. Jan. 1, 2003. |
Eralp et al., “A comparison of two osteotomy techniques for tibial lengthening,” Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 2004, vol. 124:298-300. Jan. 1, 2004. |
Skippen et al., “The Chain Saw—A Scottish Invention,” Scottish Medical Journal, 2004, vol. 49(2), 72-75. Jan. 1, 2004. |
Bohinski et al., “Novel use of a threadwire saw for high sacral amputation,” Journal of neurosurgery: Spine, 2005, vol. 3, 71-78. Jan. 1, 2005. |
Nakagiri et al., “Thoracoscopic Rib Resection Using a Gigli Saw,” The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2005, vol. 80, 755-756. Jan. 1, 2005. |
Osaka et al., “Clinical significance of a wide excision policy for sacrococcygeal chordoma,” J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 2005, Total pp. 6. Jan. 1, 2005. |
Fessler Richard G, “Minimally Invasive Microendoscopic Decompressive Laminotomy for Lumbar Stenosis,” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2006, Online CME course, [Retrieved on Jun. 29, 2006 from the internet http://www.aans.emedtrain.com/lumbar—ste Jan. 1, 2006. |
Park et al; “Cases of the Excision of Carious Joints,” John Scrymgeour, Glasgow, 1806, Total pp. 6. Jan. 1, 1806. |
Pancoast, Joseph, “A Treatise on Operative Surgery,” Carey and Hart, Philadelphia,1844, Total pp. 11. Jan. 1, 1844. |
Truax, Charles, “The Mechanics of Surgery,” Chicago, IL; 1899, Total pp. 3. Jan. 1, 1899. |
Burrows, Harold, “Surgical instruments and appliances used in operations,” Faber and Faber, London, 1937, total pp. 4. Jan. 1, 1937. |
Wilkins, Robert H, “Neurosurgical Classics,” Johnson Reprint Corporation, New York, 1965, 377-382. Jan. 1, 1965. |
Dammann, Gordon, Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment, Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana, 1983, Total pp. 2. Jan. 1, 1983. |
Barer Malvin, “Instrument to Enhance Passage of the Gigli Saw,” Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics, Raven Press, New York, 1984, 4:762-763. Jan. 1, 1984. |
Paley et al., “Percutaneous Osteotomies,” Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 1991, vol. 22 No. 4, 613-624. Jan. 1, 1991. |
Paktiss et al., “Afghan Percutaneous Osteotomy,” Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Raven Press Ltd, New York, 1993, vol. 13 No. 4, 531-533. Jan. 1, 1993. |
Peltier, Leonard Orthopedics: A History and Iconography, Norman Publishing, San Francisco, 1993, Total pp. 3. Jan. 1, 1993. |
Rutkow, Ira, “Surgery an Illustrated History,” Mosby—Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, 1993, Total pp. 4. Jan. 1, 1993. |
Goel, Atul, “Neurosurgical forum, Supraorbital Craniotomy,” Journal of Neurosurgery, 1994, vol. 81, 642-643. Jan. 1, 1994. |
Tomita et al., “Total en bloc spondylectomy and circumspinal decompression for solitary spinal metastasis,” Paraplegia, 1994, 32:36-46. Jan. 1, 1994. |
Tomita K. et al., “Total en bloc spondylectomy for solitary spinal metastases,” International Orthopaedics (SICOT), 1994, 18: 291-298. Jan. 1, 1994. |
Brunori et al., “Celebrating the centennial (1894-1994): Leonardo Gigli and his wire saw,” J. Neurosurg, 1995, 82:1086-1090. Jan. 1, 1995. |
Tomita et al., “The Threadwire Saw: a New Device for Cutting Bone,” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1996, vol. 78, 1915-1917. Jan. 1, 1996. |
Baumgart et al., “Indikation and Technik der Knochendurchtrennung,” Der Chirurg, 1998, vol. 69:1188-1196. (in German with Eng Summary). Jan. 1, 1998. |
Stevens et al., “Calvarial Bone Graft Harvest Using the Gigli Saw,” Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1998, vol. 56, 798-799. Jan. 1, 1998. |
Tomita et al., “Expansive Midline T-Saw Laminoplasty (Modified Spinour Process-Splitting) for the Management of Cervical Myelopathy,” SPINE, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc, 1998, 23(1), 32-37. Jan. 1, 1998. |
Fujita et al., “Chordoma in the Cervical Spine Managed with En Bloc Excision,” SPINE, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., 1999, 24 (17), 1848-1851. Jan. 1, 1999. |
Gore Smoother User Manual, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Flagstaff, AZ, Dec. 1999,Total pp. 3. Jan. 1, 1999. |
Kawahara et al., “Recapping T-Saw Laminoplasty for Spinal Cord Tumors,” SPINE, 1999, vol. 24 No. 13, pp. 1363-1370. Jan. 1, 1999. |
Peavy et al., “Comparison of Cortical Bone Ablations by Using Infrared Laser Wavelengths 2.9 to 9.2 μm, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine,” 1999, vol. 26, 421-434. Jan. 1, 1999. |
Zeppelin Laminectomy Rongeur K901372, [online] Retrieved from the internet: <URL: http://www.zeppelin-medical.com/download/instruments.pdf>. Oct. 24, 2006. |
Reckling Frederick, “Modified Stethoscope Earpiece Makes Excellent Gigli Saw Guide,” J Bone and Joint Surgery Am, Dec. 1972, 54-A(8), 1787-1788. Dec. 1, 1972. |
Schwieger et al., “Abrasive Water Jet Cutting as a New Procedure for Cutting Cancellous Bone—In Vitro Testing in Comparison with the Oscillating Saw,” Wiley Interscience, www.interscience,wiley.com, Sep. 20, 2004, 223-228. Sep. 20, 2004. |
Bleich et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/243,095 entitled “Flexible Tissue RASP,” filed Sep. 23, 2011. |
Bleich et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/312,272 entitled “Multiple Pathways for Spinal Nerve Root Decompression From a Single Access Point,” filed Dec. 6, 2011. |
Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/232,882 entitled “Tissue Modification Devices,” filed Sep. 14, 2011. |
Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/267,683 entitled “Flexible Tissue Removal Devices and Methods,” filed Oct. 6, 2011. |
Sun et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/340,363 entitled “Flexible Neural Localization Devices and Methods,” filed Dec. 29, 2011. |
Wallace et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/338,103 entitled “Tissue Modification Devices and Methods,” filed Dec. 27, 2011. |
Wallace et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/338,134 entitled “Surgical Tools for Treatment of Spinal Stenosis,” filed Dec. 27, 2011. |
US Surgical Kerrison Spinal Rongeur K943116 [online] Retrieved from the internet: <URL: http://www.ussurg.com/uss/index.html>. Jul. 27, 1994. |
Ellman Int. Disc-FX System Accessories K052241 [online] Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: http://www.ellman.com/ medical/ >. Feb. 27, 2006. |
Bartol et al., “Arthcroscopic Microscopic Discectomy in Awake Patients: The Effectiveness of Local/Neurolept Anaesthetic,” Canadian Spine Society Meeting, Vernon BC, Canada, Mar. 2002, 2002. |
Bartol et al., “Use of Neve Stimulator to Localise the Spinal Nerce Root During Arthroscopic Discectomy Procedures,” Canadian Spine Society Meeting, Vernon BC, Canada, Mar. 2002. 2002. |
Ohta et al., “Superimposed Mechanomygraphic Response at Different Contraction Intensity in Medial Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles,” International Journal of Sport and Health Science: vol. 5, 63-70, 2007. |
Schwieger et al., “Abrasive Water Jet Cutting as a New Procedure for Cutting Cancellous Bone—In Vitro Testing in Comparison with the Oscillating Saw,” Wiley Interscience, www.interscience,wiley.com, Sep. 20, 2004, 223-228. |
Codman Laminectomy Shaver (a Johnson & Johnson company www.codman.com) catalogue, pp. 416-431. [online] Retrieved from the internet: <URL: http:||www.codrnan.com/PDFs/Catalog—04—R.pdf >. First accessedOct. 24, 2006. |
Integra Ruggles TM Kerrison Rongeurs [online] Retrieved from the internet:<URL: http://www.integra-Is.com/products!? product=22>. First accessedOct. 24, 2006. |
Herkowitz, , “The Cervical Spine Surgery Atlas”, Herkowitz, “The Cervical Spine Surgery Atlas”, 2004, 2nd Edition Jan. 1, 2004 , 203-206, 208. |
Bleich et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/484,744 entitled “Devices and Methods for Tissue Modification,” filed May 31, 2012. |
Bleich et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/430,500 entitled “Devices and Methods for Tissue Modification,” filed Mar. 26, 2012. |
Garabedian et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/437,214 entitled “Flexible Tissue Rasp,” filed Apr. 2, 2012. |
Bleich et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/757,599 entitled “Multiple pathways for spinal nerve root decompression from a single access point,” filed Feb. 1, 2013. |
Mimran et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/757,661 entitled “Tissue modification devices and methods,” filed Feb. 1, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20110046613 A1 | Feb 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11468247 | Aug 2006 | US |
Child | 12917253 | US |