Transpedicular Intervertebral Disk Access Methods and Devices

A cutting device for use in percutaneous procedures, the device comprising:

• a cutting head extending from a shaft, the cutting head comprising:
• a first blade extending from a central portion of the cutting head, the first blade movable between a first insertion configuration and a first cutting configuration, wherein the first blade extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the first insertion configuration and extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the first cutting configuration;
• a second blade extending from the central portion of the cutting head, the second blade movable between a second insertion configuration and a second cutting configuration, wherein the second blade extends generally along the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the second insertion configuration and extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis opposite the first blade in the second cutting configuration;
• a first wing extending from a distal end of the first blade at a first oblique angle relative to the first blade such that the first wing extends at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft when the first blade is in both the first insertion configuration and the first cutting configuration, the first wing extending distally beyond the distal end of the first blade and having a distal most tip pointing inwardly toward the longitudinal axis when the first blade is in the first insertion configuration;
• a second wing extending from a distal end of the second blade at a second oblique angle relative to the second blade such that the second wing extends at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft when the second blade is in both the second insertion configuration and the second cutting configuration, the second wing extending distally beyond the distal end of the second blade and having a distal most tip pointing inwardly toward the longitudinal axis when the second blade is in the second insertion configuration;
• a first transition portion defined by a first interface between the distal end of the first blade and a proximal end of the first wing, the first transition portion being an arcuate bend such that the distal end of the first blade, the first transition portion, and the proximal end of the first wing have a substantially constant thickness;
• and
• a second transition portion defined by a second interface between the distal end of the second blade and a proximal end of the second wing, the second transition portion being an arcuate bend such that the distal end of the second blade, the second transition portion, and the proximal end of the second wing have a substantially constant thickness.

A cutting device for use in percutaneous procedures, the device comprising:

• a cutting head extending from a distal portion of a shaft, the cutting head comprising:
• a first blade having a main portion adjacent the shaft and a wing portion extending from the main portion and spaced from the shaft, the first blade having a bend between the main portion and the wing portion such that the wing portion extends at an oblique angle relative to the main portion, the first blade having opposing planar surfaces and a constant thickness between the opposing planar surfaces across the main and wing portions;
• and
• a second blade having a main portion adjacent the shaft and a wing portion extending from the main portion and spaced from the shaft, the second blade having a bend between the main portion and the wing portion such that the wing portion extends at an oblique angle relative to the main portion, the second blade having opposing planar surfaces and a constant thickness between the opposing planar surfaces across the main and wing portions;
• the first and second blades movable between an insertion configuration and a cutting configuration, where the first and second blades extend generally along a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the insertion configuration and extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the cutting configuration.