Method for removing material from a patient's body
A method is disclosed for removal of intervertebral disc tissue from a body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving tissue. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of tissue into the lumen; and conveying with the tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along the lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the tissue.
1 . A method for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc of a patient's body, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving said tissue, said elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end, the apparatus further comprising an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through said lumen, said tissue removal member being rotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissue removal member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tissue removal member being recessed proximally relative to said aperture when said tissue removal member is fully disposed within said lumen;
gathering a sample of said tissue into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along said lumen.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of gathering a sample of said tissue comprises a step of advancing the elongate member through a region of the intervertebral disc of the patient's body comprising tissue to be removed.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of positioning said elongate member at said region of said intervertebral disc of said patient's body.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of positioning said elongate member is facilitated by fluoroscopic visualization.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of positioning said elongate member further comprises the steps of:
providing an introducer apparatus comprising a cannula defining a cannula lumen and an obturator disposed within said cannula lumen;
inserting said introducer apparatus into said patient's body such that a distal end of said cannula is positioned at said region of said intervertebral disc of said patient's body;
withdrawing said obturator from said cannula lumen; and
inserting said elongate member into said cannula lumen.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said step of inserting said introducer apparatus is facilitated by fluoroscopic visualization.
7 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising a step of injecting a fluid through said cannula lumen.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of an anesthetic, an antibiotic and a dye.
9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said distal end of said cannula is positioned adjacent to or within a posterior portion of a nucleus pulposus of said intervertebral disc of said patient's body.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising a step of marking a portion of the elongate member that is proximal to a proximal end of said cannula when said elongate member contacts an anterior annulus inner wall of the intervertebral disc.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a location of said distal end of said elongate member during said procedure is determined using said marker.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said elongate member and said tissue removal member are operatively connected to a handpiece and wherein a motor is housed within said handpiece and is operatively connected to said tissue removal member.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein a portable source of energy is housed within said handpiece.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said tissue removal member comprises a shaft comprising helical projections.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said tissue removal member comprises an auger.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of said elongate member defines at least one slot extending proximally from a distal end of said elongate member.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of said elongate member is operatively coupled to a receptacle structured to collect tissue removed by said tissue removal member, said elongate member defining at least one opening for transferring material from said elongate member to said receptacle.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said tissue to be removed is tissue of a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc.
19 . A method for removing nucleus pulposus tissue from an intervertebral disc of a patient's body, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an introducer apparatus comprising a cannula defining a cannula lumen and an obturator disposed within said cannula lumen;
inserting said introducer apparatus into a patient's body such that a distal end of said cannula is positioned at a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc of said patient's body;
withdrawing said obturator from said cannula lumen;
providing a tissue removal apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving said nucleus pulposus tissue, said elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end, the apparatus further comprising an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through said lumen, said tissue removal member being rotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissue removal member having a proximal end and a distal end;
inserting the elongate member into said cannula lumen; and
engaging the tissue removal member in order to convey the nucleus pulposus tissue through the lumen of the elongate member.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of advancing said elongate member through said nucleus pulposus, such that nucleus pulposus tissue is substantially disposed within said lumen.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein said tissue removal device is engaged with a motor during said step of advancing said elongate member.
22 . A method for removing nucleus pulposus tissue from an intervertebral disc of a patient's body, comprising the steps of:
providing a tissue removal apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving said nucleus pulposus tissue, said elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end, the apparatus further comprising an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through said lumen, said tissue removal member being rotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissue removal member having a proximal end and a distal end;
advancing the elongate member through a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc of a patient's body, so that nucleus pulposus tissue is at least substantially gathered into said lumen; and
conveying at least a portion of the tissue at least substantially gathered into said lumen away from the nucleus pulposus.