Introducer systems for bone access
AssigneeRelievant Medsystems, Inc.
InventorsBrian W. Donovan, Alexander Pruitt, Michael Willink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.
Claims21
An introducer system adapted to facilitate percutaneous access to a target treatment location within bone, the introducer system comprising:
- an introducer cannula comprising a proximal handle and a distal elongate hypotube extending from the proximal handle;
- and
- an introducer stylet comprising a proximal handle and a distal elongate shaft extending from the proximal handle,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer cannula comprises a central opening in its upper surface that is coupled to a lumen of the distal elongate hypotube to facilitate insertion of the introducer stylet into the central opening and into the distal elongate hypotube,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer cannula comprises one or more slots configured to receive at least a portion of the proximal handle of the introducer stylet so as to facilitate engagement and alignment between the introducer stylet and the introducer cannula,
- wherein at least one of the one or more slots is in communication with the central opening of the proximal handle of the introducer cannula,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer stylet comprises an anti-rotation tab configured to be received within one of the one or more slots so as to prevent rotation of the introducer stylet within the introducer cannula,
- wherein a distal end of the distal elongate shaft of the introducer stylet comprises a distal cutting tip and a scalloped section proximal to the distal cutting tip so as to provide gaps between an outer diameter of the distal end of the distal elongate shaft and the inner diameter of the introducer cannula, and
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer stylet further comprises a press button that, when pressed:
- (a) disengages the anti-rotation tab and allows for rotation of the introducer stylet within the introducer cannula, and (b) allows for removal of the introducer stylet from the introducer cannula.
An introducer system adapted to facilitate percutaneous access to a target treatment location within bone, the introducer system comprising:
- an introducer cannula comprising a proximal handle and a distal elongate hypotube extending from the proximal handle;
- and
- an introducer stylet comprising a proximal handle and a distal elongate shaft extending from the proximal handle,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer cannula comprises a central opening in its upper surface that is coupled to a lumen of the distal elongate hypotube to facilitate insertion of the introducer stylet into the central opening and into the distal elongate hypotube,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer cannula comprises one or more slots configured to receive at least a portion of the proximal handle of the introducer stylet so as to facilitate engagement and alignment between the introducer stylet and the introducer cannula,
- wherein at least one of the one or more slots is in communication with the central opening of the proximal handle of the introducer cannula,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer stylet comprises an anti-rotation tab configured to be received within one of the one or more slots so as to prevent rotation of the introducer stylet within the introducer cannula,
- wherein a distal end of the distal elongate shaft of the introducer stylet comprises a distal cutting tip and a scalloped section proximal to the distal cutting tip so as to provide gaps between an outer diameter of the distal end of the distal elongate shaft and the inner diameter of the introducer cannula.
An introducer system adapted to facilitate percutaneous access to a target treatment location within bone, the introducer system comprising:
- an introducer cannula comprising a proximal handle and a distal elongate hypotube extending from the proximal handle;
- and
- an introducer stylet comprising a proximal handle and a distal elongate shaft extending from the proximal handle,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer cannula comprises a central opening in its upper surface that is coupled to a lumen of the distal elongate hypotube to facilitate insertion of the introducer stylet into the central opening and into the distal elongate hypotube,
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer cannula comprises one or more slots configured to receive at least a portion of the proximal handle of the introducer stylet so as to facilitate engagement and alignment between the introducer stylet and the introducer cannula,
- wherein at least one of the one or more slots is in communication with the central opening of the proximal handle of the introducer cannula, and
- wherein the proximal handle of the introducer stylet comprises an anti-rotation tab configured to be received within one of the one or more slots so as to prevent rotation of the introducer stylet within the introducer cannula.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.