Tunneling device

{
  "publication_number": "US9351739B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Tunneling device",
  "abstract": "A tunneling device (10) for introduction into a body via a linearly extending guide (100) is formed as an elongated tunneling device (10) having an end portion (10 E) bent to a predefined curvature. The elongated tunneling device (10) when confined in the linearly extending guide (100) is confined lengthwise in the guide (100). Upon movement of the tunneling device, advancing past the guide (100) into the body, the end portion (10 E) of the tunneling device (10) returns to the predefined curvature without requiring any external physical resistance of load forces to initiate the bending.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A tunneling device for introduction into a body via a linearly extending guide, the device comprising: an elongated tunneling device having an end portion with a predefined curvature, the elongated tunneling device when confined in the linearly extending guide is confined lengthwise in the guide; wherein upon movement of the tunneling device advancing past the guide into the body, the end portion of the tunneling device returns to the predefined curvature without requiring any external physical resistance or external load forces to initiate the bending, wherein the tunneling device is an elongated rod, and wherein the rod includes a plurality of cut slots spaced along the rod along the entry portion wherein the slots are on an exterior side of the rod opposite the radius of curvature, wherein the inside surface of the rod adjacent the radius of curvature is smooth and the outside surface aligned with the curvature has the cut slots and upon bending the cut slots open wider.",
    "2. The tunneling device of claim 1 wherein the elongated rod is non-hollow.",
    "3. The tunneling device of claim 1 wherein the predefined curvature of the entry end position has one or more predetermined radius of curvature.",
    "4. The tunneling device of claim 3 wherein the radius of curvature is a constant.",
    "5. The tunneling device of claim 3 wherein a tangent to a maximum curvature at the end or tip is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or more relative to the straight guide.",
    "6. The tunneling device of claim 3 wherein the final position of a tip of the end portion of the tunneling device is offset from a straight projected path of the linearly extending guide.",
    "7. The tunneling device of claim 1 wherein at least the entry end portion of the tunneling device is made from a shape memory material, the shape memory device having a pre-set memory to bend the entry end portion to the predefined curvature.",
    "8. The tunneling device of claim 7 wherein the shape memory material has a pre-set memory pre-set by heat to the predefined curvature.",
    "9. The tunneling device of claim 8 wherein the shape memory material is a metal or polymer.",
    "10. The tunneling device of claim 9 wherein the shape memory material is a metal alloy.",
    "11. The tunneling device of claim 10 wherein the metal alloy is NiTi (Nickel titanium).",
    "12. The tunneling device of claim 11 wherein the metal alloy is nitinol.",
    "13. The tunneling device of claim 7 wherein the shape memory material is a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy that changes shape under a magnetic field."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a device for use in treatment of acute vertebral compression fractures for introduction into a vertebral body through a single straight passage formed through cortical bone into the cancellous bone via a straight conduit or sleeve wherein the device when entering past the cancellous conduit or sleeve into the bone cavity transitions from straight to curved.\n\nTreatment of vertebral compression fractures commonly employs vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty techniques. Vertebroplasty employs a percutaneous injection of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) in a fractured vertebral body via a trocar and cannula.\n\nKyphoplasty is a modification of percutaneous vertebroplasty. Kyphoplasty involves a preliminary step consisting of the percutaneous placement of an inflatable balloon tamp in the vertebral body. Inflation of the balloon creates a cavity in the bone prior to cement injection. The proponents of percutaneous kyphoplasty have suggested that high pressure balloon-tamp inflation can at least partially restore vertebral body height. In kyphoplasty, some physicians state that PMMA can be injected at higher viscosities and lower pressures into the collapsed vertebra since a cavity exists, when compared to conventional vertebroplasty.\n\nOften in employing Kyphoplasty two straight entries are made into the spine and the inflatable tamp balloons are inflated to form two cavities into which a bone hardening stabilizing cement can be injected.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 17/1642",
    "A61B 17/1671"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 17/17",
    "A61B 17/70",
    "A61B 17/16",
    "A61B 17/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Amendia Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "John Mahoney",
    "Chris Staubly",
    "Chase Dickerson"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-12-31",
  "publication_date": "2016-05-31",
  "grant_date": "2016-05-31",
  "priority_date": "2013-12-31",
  "application_number": "US-201314145532-A",
  "family_id": "53480496",
  "cited_by_count": 54,
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}