US5562695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nerve deflecting conduit needle and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-10
•
Granted: 1996-10-08
•
Expires: 2015-01-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to devices and methods for accessing the spinal epidural space via the neural foramen. In one aspect of this invention a deflecting conduit needle device is disclosed having an elongated body extending substantially along a first axis. The device has a proximal end and a distal end, and a transverse conduit, positioned along the distal one-eighth of the device and extending substantially along a second axis, wherein the second axis is positioned at an acute angle relative to the first axis. In another aspect of the invention a method is disclosed for accessing the spinal epidural space via the neural foramen.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore G. Obenchain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/3401; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00349
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A surgical apparatus for accessing the spinal foramen comprising: an elongate body extending substantially along a first axis with a cross-sectional diameter of at least 3.0 mm, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end comprising a tip that is sufficiently sharp to puncture disc tissue thereby anchoring said apparatus in said tissue, and a conduit having a cross-sectional diameter of at least 2.0 mm positioned along the distal one-eighth of said body, said conduit extending substantially along a second axis and traversing said apparatus, said second axis positioned at an acute angle relative to said first axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A surgical apparatus for accessing the spinal foramen comprising: an elongate body extending substantially along a first axis with a cross-sectional diameter of at least 3.0 mm, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end comprising a tip that is sufficiently sharp to puncture disc tissue thereby anchoring said apparatus in said tissue, and a conduit having a cross-sectional diameter of at least 2.0 mm positioned along the distal one-eighth of said body, said conduit extending substantially along a second axis and traversing said apparatus, said second axis positioned at an acute angle relative to said first axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said distal end further comprises at least one bevelled surface, said distal tip forming the most distal portion of said bevelled surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said bevelled surface terminates at its widest point as a heel located between said distal tip and said transverse conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate body is hollow, forming a working diameter in said device and wherein the distal tip is solid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the apparatus additionally comprises an outer sleeve extending along the exterior surface of said elongate body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sleeve is expandable and said sleeve, when expanded, increases the working diameter of said apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said sleeve forms a cannula which can be peeled away.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate body is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional diameter is between 4.0 mm-10.0 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said acute angle is at least 25°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body comprises surgical grade steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a heat-stable polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate body has an anterior face and a posterior face, and wherein said conduit traverses said apparatus from said posterior face to said anterior face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said bevelled surface extends along said posterior face from the distal tip to a position beneath said transverse conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the body of said apparatus comprises an elongated hollow sleeve exiting at said conduit, wherein the hollow sleeve extends from said proximal end of the apparatus to said conduit, said hollow sleeve serving as a guide for the introduction and removal of one or more surgical tools through the proximal end of said apparatus through said transverse conduit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tip comprises the end of a guide needle extending through said elongate hollow body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said guide needle is removable from said elongate hollow body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
A surgical apparatus for accessing the spinal foramen comprising: an elongate body extending substantially along a first axis with a cross-sectional diameter of at least 3.0 mm, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said elongate body is hollow, forming a working diameter in said device and a conduit having a cross-sectional diameter of at least 2.0 mm positioned along the distal one-eighth of said body, said conduit extending substantially along a second axis and traversing said apparatus, said second axis positioned at an acute angle relative to said first axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
A surgical apparatus for accessing the spinal foramen comprising: an elongate body extending substantially along a first axis with a cross-sectional diameter of at least 3.0 mm, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said elongate body is hollow, forming a working diameter in said device and a conduit having a cross-sectional diameter of at least 2.0 mm positioned along the distal one-eighth of said body, said conduit extending substantially along a second axis and traversing said apparatus, said second axis positioned at an acute angle relative to said first axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said distal end comprises a tip that is sufficiently sharp to puncture disc tissue thereby anchoring said apparatus in said tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said distal end further comprises at least one bevelled surface, said distal tip forming the most distal portion of said bevelled surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said bevelled surface terminates at its widest point as a heel located between said distal tip and said transverse conduit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said elongate body is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the cross-sectional diameter is between 4.0 mm-10.0 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said acute angle is at least 25°.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said body comprises surgical grade steel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said body comprises a heat-stable polymer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus additionally comprises an outer sleeve extending along the exterior surface of said elongate body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sleeve is expandable and said sleeve, when expanded, increases the working diameter of said apparatus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said distal end comprises a guide needle extending through said elongate hollow body, said guide needle having a tip that is sufficiently sharp to puncture disc tissue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said guide needle is removable from said elongate hollow body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said sleeve forms a cannula which can be peeled away.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said distal end comprises a guide needle extending through said elongate hollow body, said guide needle having a tip that is sufficiently sharp to puncture disc tissue.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said guide needle is removable from said elongate hollow body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |