MECHANICAL CAVITY-CREATION SURGICAL DEVICE AND METHODS AND KITS FOR USING SUCH DEVICES
A mechanical cavity-creation surgical device and methods and kits for using such devices is described. In one variation, the mechanical cavity-creation surgical device contains a side window at the distal end of a shaft that allows the articulation of a blade, pick, or tip from a position that is inside the shaft to a position that protrudes at least partially from the side window.
1 . A method of creating a cavity in a body region comprising:
inserting a distal portion of a shaft into a patient's body;
rotating a cutting element within a lumen of the shaft which results in a distal portion of the cutting element protruding from a side window on the shaft, wherein the side window is located on a circumferential surface at a distal portion of the shaft; and
rotating the shaft axially to score or scrape a body region within the patient's body to create a cavity.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
displacing the cutting element distally within the lumen of the cannula.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , further comprising having the cutting element engage a ramp.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the distal portion of the shaft comprises inserting the distal portion of the shaft into a vertebral body through a pedicle.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is a blade, tip or pick and the blade, pick, or tip is articulatable.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the blade, pick, or tip is made of a nickel titanium alloy.
7 . The method according to claim 5 , further comprising passing the shaft through a cannula.
8 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the cavity is created in bone.
9 . The method according claim 8 , wherein the bone is a vertebra.
10 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the shaft is not passed through a cannula.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the shaft also serves as a cannula.
12 . The method according to claim 11 further comprising checking a surgical site with an endoscope to see if sufficient scoring and/or scraping has occurred.