Patent ID: 8123750
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc comprising: an elongated guide tube defining a lumen extending through the elongated guide tube from a proximal opening at a proximal end of the elongated guide tube to a distal opening at a distal end of the elongated guide tube, the lumen including a bendable portion providing a bendable end near the distal end, the guide tube having a wall having a first bend control lumen therein and a second bend control lumen therein; a first control wire within the first bend control lumen: a second control wire within the second bend control lumen; an actuator for moving at least one of the first control wire or the second control wire; a cutting head housing slidably received within the distal opening at the distal end of the elongated guide tube, the cutting head housing positionable between a first retracted position and a second extended position relative to the distal end of the elongated guide tube; a cutting member positioned within the cutting head housing, the cutting member adapted to rotate with respect to the cutting head; a drive shaft rotatably received within the lumen and extending between the proximal opening in the guide tube and attached to the rotary cutting member; a driver attached to the drive shaft near the proximal opening in the guide tube; the cutting head housing including a blunt end and having a cutting opening therein, the cutting opening including a cutting edge located between the blunt end and the distal end of the guide tube; and a control apparatus attached near the distal opening of the elongated guide, the control apparatus including a wire controller attached to the first control wire and the second control wire, the wire controller for varying the length of the first control wire and the second control wire to selectively bend the bendable end, the control apparatus further comprises an extension mechanism for selectively extending the cutting head housing with respect to the distal end of the guide tube.