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US 9,314,231 B2Granted
Use of an expandable stent as an implant conduit in the lateral approach to the spine
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsMichael J O'Neil, Thomas M DiMauro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The use of a memory metal mesh stent as a retractor in a lateral approach to the spine. The expanded stent is used as a conduit through which an implant can pass. This advance is predicated upon the appreciation that modern stent implants have diameters that are large enough to accommodate passage of an intervertebral spinal implant therethrough.
Claims36
A spinal surgery device, comprising:
- an electrified probe having an outer surface b) a mesh stent having an inner surface and an outer surface, an unexpanded condition and an expanded condition, wherein the inner surface of the stent in its unexpanded condition contacts the outer surface of the electrified probe,
- c) an elongated sheath having a distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface and a throughhole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the sheath, wherein the inner surface of the sheath contacts the outer surface of the stent in its unexpanded condition.
A method of performing surgery, comprising the steps of:
- a) advancing an electrified elongated probe having an outer surface through a target tissue while performing neuromonitoring with the probe,
- b) providing an assembly comprising:
- i) an expandable mesh stent in an unexpanded condition, the stent having an outer surface and an inner surface, and
- ii) an elongated sheath having a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface and a throughhole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the elongated sheath, wherein the inner surface of the sheath contacts the outer surface of the stent,
- c) sliding the assembly over the probe so that the inner surface of the stent contacts the outer surface of the probe,
- d) rotating the sheath while performing neuromonitoring with the probe.
3 more elements
A spinal surgery device, comprising:
- a) an electrified probe having an outer surface;
- b) an electrically-conductive cannula having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the cannula contacts the outer surface of the electrified probe,
- c) an electrically-resistive elongated sheath having a distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface and a throughhole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the sheath, wherein the inner surface of the sheath contacts the outer surface of the cannula.
A spinal surgery device, comprising:
- a) an electrified probe having an outer surface;
- b) an electrically-resistive cannula having a distal end, an inner surface, an outer surface and a throughhole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the cannula, wherein the inner surface of the cannula contacts the outer surface of the probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.