Retractable device to dissect and evacuate ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis

1. A method for removing tissue from a ligamentum flavum comprising:

providing a surgical device comprising:

a cannula extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula including an inner surface defining a passageway extending at least partially through the cannula;

a first cutting element disposed at least partially within the passageway and extending from the distal end of the cannula so as to contact tissue;

a second cutting element disposed at least partially within the passageway and extending from the distal end of the cannula; and

a deployment mechanism disposed at least adjacent the proximal end of the cannula and configured to actuate movement of the second cutting element in a circle around the first cutting element;

creating an access path to a surgical site;

inserting the surgical device into a position adjacent the surgical site;

contacting the first cutting element to the tissue and pulling on the tissue to increase an epidural space; and

actuating movement of the second cutting element, using the deployment mechanism, to circle the second cutting element around the first cuffing element to dissect tissue adjacent the tissue contacted by the first cutting element; and

removing an annular plug of dissected tissue from the surgical site through the cannula.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further including suctioning the cannula to remove the annular plug by attaching a vacuum to the cannula.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first cutting element is centrally located within the passageway of the cannula, and the first cutting element extends a first distance from the distal end of the cannula.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second cutting element is configured to extend from the distal end of the cannula a second distance that is less than the first distance.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second cutting element is resiliently biased with the deployment mechanism such that the second cutting element extends out of the passageway so as to contact and cut tissue.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein deploying the second cutting element comprises pressing a button of the deployment mechanism to incrementally actuate the second cutting element.

7. A method for removing tissue comprising:

creating an access path to a surgical site for receiving portions of a surgical device therethrough;

inserting the surgical device into a position at or adjacent the surgical site, the surgical device comprising:

a cannula extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula including an inner surface defining a passageway extending at least partially through the cannula;

a stationary anchor hook disposed at least partially within the passageway and extending from the distal end of the cannula so as to contact tissue;

an orbital hook disposed at least partially within the passageway and extending from the distal end of the cannula, the orbital hook being configured for retractable extension beyond the distal end of the cannula; and

a deployment mechanism disposed at least adjacent the proximal end of the cannula and configured to engage and actuate movement of the orbital hook;

contacting the stationary anchor hook to the tissue and pulling on the tissue to increase an epidural space; and

actuating movement of the orbital hook, using the deployment mechanism, to circle the orbital hook around the stationary anchor hook to dissect tissue adjacent the tissue contacted by the stationary anchor hook; and

evacuating an annular plug of dissected tissue into the cannula.

8. The method of claim 7 , further including suctioning the cannula to remove the annular plug through the passageway by attaching a vacuum to the cannula.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the stationary anchor hook is centrally located within the passageway of the cannula, and extends a first distance from the distal end of the cannula.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the orbital hook is configured to extend from the distal end of the cannula a second distance that is less than the first distance.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the deployment mechanism includes a button to incrementally actuate the orbital hook.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the deployment mechanism resiliently biases the orbital hook.

13. A method for removing tissue comprising:

creating an access path to a surgical site for receiving portions of a surgical device therethrough;

inserting a cannula of the surgical device into the access path, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end;

positioning the distal end of the cannula into a position adjacent the surgical site;

contacting a first cutting portion of the surgical device to tissue at or adjacent the surgical site, the first cutting portion extending from the distal end of the cannula;

pulling on the tissue contacted by the first cutting portion using the first cutting portion to increase an epidural space;

moving a second cutting portion of the surgical device to circle the second cutting portion around the first cutting portion to dissect tissue adjacent the tissue contacted by the first cutting portion, the second cutting portion extending from the distal end of the cannula; and

removing an annular plug of dissected tissue from the surgical site through the cannula.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surgical device includes a deployment mechanism positioned adjacent the proximal end of the cannula, the deployment mechanism being configured to actuate the movement of the second cutting portion.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the deployment mechanism includes a button to incrementally actuate the second cutting portion.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the deployment mechanism resiliently biases the second cutting portion.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the cannula includes a passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end thereof, and wherein the annular plug of dissected tissue is removed through the passageway.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising suctioning the cannula to remove the annular plug through the passageway by attaching a vacuum to the cannula.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein a portion of the first cutting portion is centrally located within the passageway of the cannula, and the first cutting portion extends a first distance from the distal end of the cannula.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the second cutting portion is configured to extend from the distal end of the cannula a second distance that is less than the first distance.