Tissue cavitation device and method

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).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of:[0002]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 818,452, filed Apr. 5, 2004, which carries Attorney's Docket No. 132387-1004, and is entitled TISSUE CAVITATION DEVICE AND METHOD, which is pending.[0003]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 818,452 is a continuation of:[0004]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 872,042, filed Jun. 1, 2001, which carries Attorney's Docket No. DNVO.0101, and is entitled TISSUE CAVITATION DEVICE AND METHOD, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,451 on Jun. 8, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0005]The present invention relates generally to surgical devices and methods and, more particularly, to minimally invasive surgical devices and methods for creating a cavity within hard or soft tissue.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0006]Surgeons are using minimally invasive surgical techniques on an increasing basis for the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions. Such techniques typically inv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a cavitation device that allows for minimally invasive surgery for accessing target tissue such as bone. The device has a flexible cutting element that can be inserted through a small access opening and then assumes a second shape to form a cavity in the tissue. The device can remove emulsified bone or promote bone growth for various applications such as replacing osteoporotic bone. The device is simple and efficient, with minimal parts and can be easily inserted and shaped in tissue.

Problems solved by technology

The disease leads to skeletal fractures under light to moderate trauma and, in its advanced state, can lead to fractures under normal physiologic loading conditions.

Without the availability of minimally invasive surgical procedures, however, the prophylactic fixation of osteoporosis-weakened bone in this manner would not be practical because of the increased morbidity, blood loss and risk of complications associated with conventional procedures.

Existing devices for forming a cavity within soft or hard tissue are relatively complex assemblies consisting of multiple components.

The complexity of the device leads to increased manufacturing costs and may also raise concerns regarding the potential for malfunction.

Such high rotational speeds can only be produced by a powered surgical drill and certainly cannot be produced by manual rotation.

Thus, the Mirza device does not permit the surgeon to exercise the precise control that can be attained through manual rotation.

Moreover, there may be a concern for structural failure or loosening of the relatively small hinge assembly at such a high rotational speed when operated in bone.

The high rotational speed of the Mirza device may also generate excessive heat that could damage healthy tissue surrounding the cavity.

The Reiley et al. device, however, is not intended to cut tissue, and at least a small cavity must therefore be cut or otherwise formed in the tissue in order to initially insert the Reiley et al. device.

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