Patent ID: 7938830
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for modifying spinal tissue, the device comprising: an elongate shaft having a flexible distal portion that is configured to be passed into an epidural space of the spine and between target and non-target tissues; a movable blade, connected to one side of the flexible distal portion of the elongate shaft proximal to the distal end of the flexible distal portion of the elongate shaft; a protective surface on one side of the flexible distal portion of the elongate shaft opposite and behind the movable blade that prevents non-target tissues from being cut by the blade; a guidewire coupling member at the distal portion of the shaft and configured to facilitate application of a distal pulling force to urge the movable blade against the target tissue, wherein the guidewire coupling member is configured to grasp the end of a guidewire to the distal end portion of the tissue modification device; a handle at the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the handle includes an actuator to actuate movement of the movable blade; a drive shaft disposed along the elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end coupled to the movable blade, wherein the drive shaft is configured to move the movable blade to cut a target tissue without significantly translating the elongate shaft proximally or distally.