US6746451B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tissue cavitation device and method
Assignee: Cavitech LLC
•
Filing: 2001-06-01
•
Granted: 2004-06-08
•
Expires: 2021-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A percutaneous surgical device and method for creating a cavity within tissue during a minimally invasive procedure. A cavitation device includes a shaft interconnected to a flexible cutting element. A flexible cutting element has a first shape suitable for minimally invasive passage into tissue. The flexible cutting element has a means to move toward a second shape suitable for forming a cavity in tissue. When used in bone, the resulting cavity is usually filled with bone cement or suitable bone replacement material that is injectable and hardens in situ. The disclosed cavitation device and methods can be used for the following applications: (1) treatment or prevention of bone fracture, (2) joint fusion, (3) implant fixation, (4) tissue harvesting (especially bone), (5) removal of diseased tissue (hard or soft tissue), and (6) general tissue removal (hard or soft tissue).
Inventors
- 👤 Lance M. Middleton
- 👤 Laura H. Middleton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1613; A61B17/1615; A61B17/1617; A61B17/1635; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1664; A61B17/1671; A61B17/1668; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8802; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element associated with said shaft; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape suitable for forming a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft; and spring bias arising from elastic deformation of said flexible cutting element when waid flexible cutting element is in said first shape, biasing said flexible cutting element to move from said first shape toward said second shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element associated with said shaft; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape suitable for forming a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft; and spring bias arising from elastic deformation of said flexible cutting element when waid flexible cutting element is in said first shape, biasing said flexible cutting element to move from said first shape toward said second shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially quadrilateral cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said shaft and said flexible cutting element are dimensioned to pass telescopically through the interior of an insertion tube having a proximal end and a distal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 4 , wherein said flexible cutting element assumes said first shape when said flexible cutting element is positioned within said insertion tube, and said spring bias tends to move said flexible cutting element toward said second shape as said flexible cutting element emerges from the distal end of said insertion tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said shaft has a first end and a second end; said flexible cutting element is disposed at the second end of said shaft; and at least a portion of said flexible cutting element moves away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft as said flexible cutting element moves from said first shape toward said second shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6 , wherein said flexible cutting element is rigidly connected to the second end of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 7 , wherein said flexible cutting element and said shaft are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein said second shape of said flexible cutting element comprises a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein said shaft has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein said shaft has a substantially square cross-section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one cutting flute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 12 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a free end, and the at least one cutting flute of said flexible cutting element is disposed at the free end of said flexible cutting element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one serration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
118 words
A tissue cavitation device comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element, formed from a shape memory alloy, associated with said shaft; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape suitable for forming a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft; and shape memory behavior of said shape memory alloy in response to the transfer of heat to said flexible cutting element biasing said flexible cutting element to move from said first shape toward waid second shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
118 words
A tissue cavitation device comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element, formed from a shape memory alloy, associated with said shaft; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape suitable for forming a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft; and shape memory behavior of said shape memory alloy in response to the transfer of heat to said flexible cutting element biasing said flexible cutting element to move from said first shape toward waid second shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially quadrilateral cross-section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said heat is body heat transferred to said flexible cutting element as said flexible cutting element is inserted into tissue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said heat is frictional heat generated as said flexible cutting element cuts tissue upon rotation of said shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said shaft and said flexible cutting element are dimensioned to pass telescopically through the interior of an insertion tube having a proximal end and a distal end.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said shaft has a first end and a second end; said flexible cutting element is disposed at the second end of said shaft; and at least a portion of said flexible cutting element moves away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft as said flexible cutting element moves from said first shape toward said second shape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 21 , wherein said flexible cutting element is rigidly connected to the second end of said shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein said flexible cutting element and said shaft are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 23 , wherein said second shape of said flexible cutting element comprises a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 24 , wherein said shaft has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 24 , wherein said shaft has a substantially square cross-section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one cutting flute.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 27 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a free end, and the at least one cutting flute of said flexible cutting element is disposed at the free end of said flexible cutting element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one serration.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said shape memory alloy is Nitinol.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
143 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element associated with said shaft having a free end and a cutting tip disposed on the free end of the cutting element; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape comprising a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby spring bias arising from elastic deformation when said flexible cutting element is in said first shape tends to move said flexible cutting element from said first shape toward said second shape, thereby enabling said flexible cutting element to form a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
143 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element associated with said shaft having a free end and a cutting tip disposed on the free end of the cutting element; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape comprising a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby spring bias arising from elastic deformation when said flexible cutting element is in said first shape tends to move said flexible cutting element from said first shape toward said second shape, thereby enabling said flexible cutting element to form a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially quadrilateral cross-section.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said shaft and said flexible cutting element are dimensioned to pass telescopically through the interior of an insertion tube having a proximal end and a distal end.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 34 , wherein said flexible cutting element assumes said first shape when said flexible cutting element is positioned within said insertion tube, and said spring bias tends to move said flexible cutting element from said first shape toward said second shape as said cutting element emerges from the distal end of said insertion tube.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said flexible cutting element is rigidly connected to said shaft.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 36 , wherein said flexible cutting element and said shaft are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one cutting flute.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 38 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a free end, and said at least one cutting flute is disposed at the free end of said flexible cutting element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one serration.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said shaft has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said shaft has a substantially square cross-section.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
125 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element associated with said shaft and formed from a shape memory alloy; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape comprising a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby shape memory behavior of said shape memory alloy biases said flexible cutting element to move from said first shape toward said second shape, thereby enabling said flexible cutting element to form a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
125 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element associated with said shaft and formed from a shape memory alloy; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape comprising a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby shape memory behavior of said shape memory alloy biases said flexible cutting element to move from said first shape toward said second shape, thereby enabling said flexible cutting element to form a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially quadrilateral cross-section.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said shape memory behavior is activated by the transfer of heat to said flexible cutting element.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 45 , wherein said heat is body heat transferred to said flexible cutting element as said flexible cutting element is inserted into tissue.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 45 , wherein said heat is frictional heat generated as said flexible cutting element cuts tissue upon rotation of said shaft.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said shape memory alloy is Nitinol.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said flexible cutting element is rigidly connected to said shaft.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 50 , wherein said flexible cutting element and said shaft are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one cutting flute.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 52 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a free end, and said at least one cutting flute is disposed at the free end of said flexible cutting element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one serration.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said shaft has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said shaft has a substantially square cross-section.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element rigidly connected to said shaft; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape comprising a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby centrifugal force arising from rotation of said shaft about the longitudinal axis of said shaft tends to move said flexible cutting element from said first shape toward said second shape, thereby enabling said flexible cutting element to form a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tissue cavitation device, comprising: a shaft having a diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible cutting element rigidly connected to said shaft; said flexible cutting element adapted to assume a first shape substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of said shaft and adapted to assume a second shape comprising a curvilinear arc projecting away from the longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby centrifugal force arising from rotation of said shaft about the longitudinal axis of said shaft tends to move said flexible cutting element from said first shape toward said second shape, thereby enabling said flexible cutting element to form a tissue cavity having a diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft when said shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 57 , wherein said flexible cutting element is offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 57 , wherein said shaft and said flexible cutting element are dimensioned to pass telescopically through the interior of an insertion tube having a proximal end and a distal end.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 57 , wherein said flexible cutting element is a cable.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 57 , wherein said flexible cutting element has at least one cutting flute.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 61 , wherein said flexible cutting element has a free end, and said at least one cutting flute is disposed at the free end of said flexible cutting element.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 57 , wherein said shaft has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 57 , wherein said shaft has a substantially square cross-section.
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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) | 2007-06-08 | 2007-12-08 | 2008-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-08 | 2011-12-08 | 2012-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-08 | 2015-12-08 | 2016-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |