Retractable device to dissect and evacuate ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis

A method for removing tissue comprising:

• creating an access path to a surgical site for receiving portions of a surgical device therethrough;
• inserting the surgical device into a position at or adjacent the surgical site, the surgical device comprising:
• a cannula extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula including an inner surface defining a passageway extending at least partially through the cannula;
• a stationary anchor hook disposed at least partially within the passageway and extending from the distal end of the cannula so as to contact tissue;
• an orbital hook disposed at least partially within the passageway and extending from the distal end of the cannula, the orbital hook being configured for retractable extension beyond the distal end of the cannula;
• and
• a deployment mechanism disposed at least adjacent the proximal end of the cannula and configured to engage and actuate movement of the orbital hook;
• contacting the stationary anchor hook to the tissue and pulling on the tissue to increase an epidural space;
• and
• actuating movement of the orbital hook, using the deployment mechanism, to circle the orbital hook around the stationary anchor hook to dissect tissue adjacent the tissue contacted by the stationary anchor hook;
• and
• evacuating an annular plug of dissected tissue into the cannula.

A method for removing tissue comprising:

• creating an access path to a surgical site for receiving portions of a surgical device therethrough;
• inserting a cannula of the surgical device into the access path, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end;
• positioning the distal end of the cannula into a position adjacent the surgical site;
• contacting a first cutting portion of the surgical device to tissue at or adjacent the surgical site, the first cutting portion extending from the distal end of the cannula;
• pulling on the tissue contacted by the first cutting portion using the first cutting portion to increase an epidural space;
• moving a second cutting portion of the surgical device to circle the second cutting portion around the first cutting portion to dissect tissue adjacent the tissue contacted by the first cutting portion, the second cutting portion extending from the distal end of the cannula;
• and
• removing an annular plug of dissected tissue from the surgical site through the cannula.