Patent ID: 6749595
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for passing a needle into a vertebral body, said needle having a sheath and an insert, said sheath having an inlet, a tapered outlet and a connector fixed to said inlet, an interior of said sheath having a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant from said inlet to said outlet, said insert being generally cylindrical and receivably removable within said sheath, said insert having a tip, an opposing end and a complementary connector fixed to said opposing end, said method comprising the steps of:inserting said tip into said sheath; aligning said tip with said tapered outlet to present a continuous edge; attaching said complementary connector with said connector to lock said tip within said sheath; piercing the skin lying above a periosteum of a vertebrae along a transpedicular approach; applying a first force to said needle to pierce said periosteum with said edge and create an opening of sufficient size for said needle to pass therethrough; passing said needle through a pedicle; applying a second force to said needle to pierce a junction of said pedicle and said vertebral body with said edge, thereby creating an opening of sufficient size to allow said needle to pass therethrough.