Ultrasonic spinal surgery method
AssigneeMisonix, Incorporated
InventorsAlexander L. Darian, Dan Voic, Ronald R. Manna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a discectomy method one removes at least a substantial portion of a spinal disc. Thereafter one operates an ultrasonic instrument to level opposing faces of vertebrae on opposite sides of the removed spinal disc. Graft or synthetic disc material is inserted between the vertebrae so that the graft or synthetic disc material is in contact with the leveled opposing faces. In an associated nucleotomy, a cannulated probe is inserted into a spinal disc and used to remove the nucleus pulposus. A synthetic or substitute nucleus material may then be inserted into the evacuated annulus.
Claims27
A surgical method comprising:
- inserting a distal end of an ultrasonic tool into a spinal disc between two vertebrae;
- generating a standing wave of ultrasonic frequency in said tool while said distal end of said tool is disposed in the spinal disc, thereby fragmenting the nucleus of the spinal disc;
- aspirating fragmented nucleus material from inside an annulus of the spinal disc;
- and
- removing said distal end of said tool from the annulus.
A discectomy method comprising:
- providing at least one ultrasonic instrument;
- inserting a distal end of said at least one ultrasonic instrument into a patient;
- operating said at least one ultrasonic surgical instrument to remove at least a substantial portion of a nucleus pulposus of a target spinal disc;
- and
- operating said at least one ultrasonic surgical instrument to substantially remove at least a portion of an annulus fibrosis of the spinal disc.
A discectomy method comprising:
- removing at least a substantial portion of a spinal disc;
- and
- thereafter operating an ultrasonic instrument to level opposing faces of vertebrae on opposite sides of the removed spinal disc.
A surgical method comprising:
- inserting a distal end of an ultrasonic tool into a patient;
- placing said distal end of the ultrasonic tool into contact with a spinal disc between two vertebrae;
- generating a standing wave of ultrasonic frequency in said tool while said distal end of said tool is in operative contact with the spinal disc, thereby fragmenting at least a portion of the spinal disc;
- aspirating fragmented disc material from the patient;
- and
- removing said distal end of said tool from the annulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.