Shape memory surgical sponge for retracting the dura during a laminectomy procedure

1. A method of isolating a dura structure from a cutting tool during a laminectomy procedure, the method comprising:

crimping a pre-formed memory shape patty for retracting the dura structure away from the cutting tool during the laminectomy procedure, wherein the patty comprises a memory shape support structure material and an absorbent material secured to the memory shape support structure material;

inserting the crimped patty into an installation tube;

positioning a distal end of the installation tube in an interlaminar space proximate an epidural space between adjacent vertebrae;

sliding the crimped patty along the installation tube in such a way that there remains a direct visual path through the tube to the epidural space;

discharging the crimped patty from the distal end of the installation tube into the interlaminar space proximate the epidural space;

removing a first portion of a lamina using the cutting tool;

positioning the patty between the dura structure and the cutting tool; and

thereafter removing a second portion of the lamina with the patty disposed between the dura structure and the cutting tool;

wherein the positioning and discharging of the patty is accomplished by decompressing the lamina while maintaining the patty between the cutting tool and the dura structure during the laminectomy procedure; and

wherein the patty unfolds and expands into the epidural space under the intrinsic spring action of the memory shape support structure material during the laminectomy procedure decompression as the resulting epidural space increases, to approach the patty's pre-formed shape, isolating and urging the dura structure away from the cutting tool.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cutting tool comprises one of a drill, a rongeur and a laser.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pre-formed memory shape patty comprises a substantially rectangular sheet having a length dimension in the range of ⅛ to 1 inch, and a width dimension in the range of ⅛ to ½ inch.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising manufacturing the pre-formed memory shape patty according to the following steps:

creating a substantially planar wire mesh support structure using a shape memory material;

heating the support structure to impart a curvature; and

attaching absorbent fibers to the curved support structure.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pre-formed memory shape patty comprises nitinol.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pre-formed memory shape patty comprises a wire mesh support structure having absorbent fibers attached thereto.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the absorbent fibers are adhered to a surface of the mesh support structure.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the absorbent fibers are interwoven into the mesh support structure.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein crimping the pre-formed memory shape patty comprises folding the patty using forceps.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the installation tube is characterized by a cross sectional area in the range of 100 to 500 mm 2 .

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the installation tube is characterized by a cross sectional area of about 250 mm 2 .

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing a first portion of a lamina using the cutting tool creates an initial epidural cavity proximate the vertebrae.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of positioning a distal end of the installation tube comprises positioning the distal end proximate the initial epidural cavity.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of discharging the crimped patty comprises discharging the patty into the initial epidural cavity.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

successively decompressing a volume surrounding the initial epidural cavity; and

manipulating the patty between at least two successive decompression cycles to maintain the patty between the dura structure and the cutting tool.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

supplying irrigation fluid proximate the patty; and

withdrawing drainage fluid proximate the patty.