Source: http://www.google.ca/patents/US9451977
Timestamp: 2018-01-21 15:04:21
Document Index: 366332394

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61']

Patent US9451977 - MEMS micro debrider devices and methods of tissue removal - Google Patents
Medical devices for shearing tissue into small pieces are provided. One exemplary device includes oppositely rotating first and second rotatable members, each located at least partially within a distal housing. The device also includes first and second circular axle portions, and first and second blades...http://www.google.ca/patents/US9451977?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US9451977 - MEMS micro debrider devices and methods of tissue removal
Publication number US9451977 B2
Application number US 13/535,197
Also published as US20130012975, US20130331878, US20170014148
Publication number 13535197, 535197, US 9451977 B2, US 9451977B2, US-B2-9451977, US9451977 B2, US9451977B2
Inventors Gregory P. Schmitz, Ming-Ting Wu, Richard T. Chen, Arun Veeramani
Patent Citations (197), Non-Patent Citations (21), Referenced by (1), Classifications (27), Legal Events (1)
MEMS micro debrider devices and methods of tissue removal
US 9451977 B2
a distal housing configured with at least one tissue engaging opening;
an elongate member coupled to the distal housing and configured to introduce the distal housing to a target tissue site of the subject;
a first rotatable member located at least partially within the distal housing and configured to rotate about a first axis, the first rotatable member comprising a first disc-shaped blade having a series of teeth along an outer circumference of the blade, the first blade lying in a first plane; the first rotatable member further comprising a circular first axle portion lying in a second plane that is offset from, parallel and adjacent to the first plane, the first axle portion having an outer circumference that is smaller than that of the first blade, and
a second rotatable member located at least partially within the distal housing and configured to rotate about a second axis parallel to and radially offset from the first axis, the second rotatable member configured to rotate in a direction opposite of a direction of rotation of the first rotatable member, the second rotatable member comprising a second disc-shaped blade having a series of teeth along an outer circumference of the blade, the second blade lying in the second plane, the second rotatable member further comprising a circular second axle portion lying in the first plane, the second axle portion having an outer circumference that is smaller than that of the second blade,
wherein the first and second blades are directly adjacent to one another and positioned to partially overlap such that tissue may be sheared between the first and second blades, between the first blade and the second axle portion and between the second blade and the first axle portion, the rotatable members configured to engage tissue from the target tissue site with the teeth of the first and second blades, rotate towards one another and inwardly to direct tissue from the target tissue site through the tissue engaging opening and into an interior portion of the distal housing,
wherein the distal housing further comprises a tissue cutting portion lying in a third plane that is offset from, parallel and adjacent to the second plane, wherein the tissue cutting portion and the second blade are directly adjacent to one another and positioned to partially overlap such that tissue may be sheared between the tissue cutting portion of the distal housing and the second blade.
2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first and second blades are no more than 30 microns apart where they partially overlap.
3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the outer circumference of the first blade is no more than 30 microns apart from the outer circumference of the second axle portion, and the outer circumference of the second blade is no more than 30 microns apart from the outer circumference of the first axle portion.
4. The medical device of claim 1, where the first and the second blades and the first and the second axle portions each have a thickness of less than 1 mm.
5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second rotation axes are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the rotations of the first and the second rotatable members are synchronized such that a first trough associated with one of the teeth located along the outer circumference of the first blade and a second trough associated with one of the teeth located along the outer circumference of the second blade simultaneously engage a single fiber or single bundle of fibers from the target tissue site.
7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the first and the second troughs cooperate to compress portions of the single fiber or single bundle of fibers as the first and the second rotatable members rotate toward one another, thereby reducing the volume of the tissue entering the distal housing.
8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second rotatable members are independently driven.
9. A method of fabricating the device of claim 1, comprising fabricating the first blade and the second axle portion together in a first material deposition process step and fabricating the second blade and the first axle portion together in a second material deposition process step.
10. A method of using the device of claim 1, comprising urging the distal housing of the device against a target tissue site of a subject and extracting cut tissue pieces from a proximal end of the elongate member.
11. A medical device for removing tissue from a subject, comprising:
wherein the rotations of the first and the second rotatable members are configured to alternately rotate in and out of phase with one another.
12. A medical device for removing tissue from a subject, comprising:
wherein the first and the second rotatable members are configured to periodically reverse direction of rotation during tissue cutting.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/007,578 filed Jan. 14, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/408,558 filed Oct. 29, 2010; and which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/490,295 filed Jun. 23, 2009, which claims priority to: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/075,006 filed Jun. 23, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/164,864 filed Mar. 30, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/164,883 filed Mar. 30, 2009. This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/007,578 filed Jan. 14, 2011, which is also a Continuation in Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/490,301 filed Jun. 23, 2009 which claims priority to: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/075,006 filed Jun. 23, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/164,864 filed Mar. 30, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/164,883 filed Mar. 30, 2009. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full herein.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to micro-scale and millimeter-scale tissue debridement devices that may, for example, be used to remove unwanted tissue or other material from selected locations within a body of a patient during a minimally invasive or other medical procedure and in particular embodiments multi-layer, multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods are used to, in whole or in part, form such devices.
According to some aspects of the disclosure, a medical device for removing tissue from a subject is provided. One exemplary device includes a distal housing, an elongate member, a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member. The distal housing is configured with at least one tissue engaging opening. The elongate member is coupled to the distal housing and configured to introduce the distal housing to a target tissue site of the subject. The first rotatable member is located at least partially within the distal housing and is configured to rotate about a first axis. The first rotatable member comprises a first disc-shaped blade having a series of teeth along an outer circumference of the blade. The first blade lies in a first plane. The first rotatable member further includes a circular first axle portion lying in a second plane that is offset from, parallel and adjacent to the first plane. The first axle portion has an outer circumference that is smaller than that of the first blade. The second rotatable member is also located at least partially within the distal housing and is configured to rotate about a second axis parallel to and offset from the first axis. The second rotatable member is configured to rotate in a direction opposite of a direction of rotation of the first rotatable member. The second rotatable member includes a second disc-shaped blade having a series of teeth along an outer circumference of the blade. The second blade lies in the second plane. The second rotatable member further includes a circular second axle portion lying in the first plane. The second axle portion has an outer circumference that is smaller than that of the second blade. The first and second blades are directly adjacent to one another and positioned to partially overlap such that tissue may be sheared between the first and second blades, between the first blade and the second axle portion and between the second blade and the first axle portion. The rotatable members are configured to engage tissue from the target tissue site with the teeth of the first and second blades, rotate towards one another and inwardly to direct tissue from the target tissue site through the tissue engaging opening and into an interior portion of the distal housing.
In some embodiments, the first rotatable member further includes a third disc-shaped blade having a series of teeth along an outer circumference of the blade. In these embodiments, the third blade lies in a third plane that is offset from, parallel and adjacent to the second plane. The second rotatable member further includes a circular third axle portion lying in the third plane. The third axle portion has an outer circumference that is smaller than that of the third blade. The second and third blades are directly adjacent to one another and positioned to partially overlap such that tissue may be sheared between the second and third blades and between the third blade and the third axle portion. The rotatable members are configured to engage tissue from the target tissue site with the teeth of the first, second and third blades, rotate towards one another and inwardly to direct tissue from the target tissue site through the tissue engaging opening and into an interior portion of the distal housing.
In some embodiments, the distal housing further includes a tissue cutting portion lying in a third plane that is offset from, parallel and adjacent to the second plane. In these embodiments, the tissue cutting portion and the second blade are directly adjacent to one another and positioned to partially overlap such that tissue may be sheared between the tissue cutting portion of the distal housing and the second blade.
In some embodiments, the first and second blades are no more than 30 microns apart where they partially overlap. In some embodiments, the outer circumference of the first blade is no more than 30 microns apart from the outer circumference of the second axle portion, and the outer circumference of the second blade is no more than 30 microns apart from the outer circumference of the first axle portion. The first and the second blades and the first and the second axle portions may each have a thickness of less than 1 mm. The first and the second rotation axes may be generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
In some embodiments, the rotations of the first and the second rotatable members are synchronized such that a first trough associated with one of the teeth located along the outer circumference of the first blade and a second trough associated with one of the teeth located along the outer circumference of the second blade simultaneously engage a single fiber or single bundle of fibers from the target tissue site. In these embodiments, the first and the second troughs cooperate to compress portions of the single fiber or single bundle of fibers as the first and the second rotatable members rotate toward one another, thereby reducing the volume of the tissue entering the distal housing.
In some embodiments, the rotations of the first and the second rotatable members are configured to alternately rotate in and out of phase with one another. The first and the second rotatable members may be independently driven. The first and the second rotatable members may be configured to periodically reverse direction of rotation during tissue cutting, and may be configured to reverse direction at least once per second. The device may be configured to provide a dwell time of at least about 50 milliseconds when the first and the second rotatable members reverse direction.
According to aspects of the disclosure, methods of fabricated the above devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes fabricating the first blade and the second axle portion together in a first material deposition process step and fabricating the second blade and the first axle portion together in a second material deposition process step.
According to aspects of the disclosure, methods of using the above devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes urging the distal housing of the device against a target tissue site of a subject and extracting cut tissue pieces from a proximal end of the elongate member.
FIGS. 8A-8C show tissue shearing details of an exemplary two blade device.
FIGS. 9A-9C show tissue shearing details of an exemplary three blade device.
FIGS. 10A-10C show further tissue shearing details.
Referring to FIGS. 8A-10C, further details of exemplary tissue cutting devices are depicted. For clarity of illustration and explanation, the rotors depicted in these figures are shown with only one or two blades each, and some of the blades include only a single hook-shaped tooth. Functional surgical instruments may be fabricated with these simplified constructs. However, the concepts being discussed relative to these embodiments may be equally applied to the other embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., rotors having many blades and/or multi-toothed blades.) Additionally, various portions of the rotors depicted in these figures may be shown as separate components for clarity. In some embodiments, these portions may be fabricated as separate components, while in other embodiments they may be integrally formed into unitary rotors.
Referring first to FIG. 8A, a tissue cutting device 800 having two overlapping or interdigitated rotatable members 802 and 804 is shown. First rotatable member 802 comprises a first hook-shaped blade 806 having a first tooth 808, and a first axle portion 810. First rotatable member 802 is rotatably mounted to housing 812 such that it rotates about a first axis 814. Second rotatable member 804 comprises a second hook-shaped blade 816 having a second tooth 818, a second axle portion 820, and a third axle portion 822. Second rotatable member 804 is rotatably mounted to housing 812 such that it rotates about a second axis 824 that is parallel and offset from first axis 814. A portion of housing 812 resides directly adjacent to second blade 816 (shown above second blade 816 in FIG. 8A.)
First blade 806 and second axle portion 820 both lie in a first plane 826, and may be fabricated in the same layer(s)/processing step(s), for example if a MEMS fabrication process is used. Similarly, second blade 816 and first axle portion 810 both lie in a second plane 828, and may be fabricated in the same layer(s)/processing step(s). Additionally, third axle portion 820 and housing portion 812 both lie in a third plane 830, and may be fabricated in the same layer(s)/processing step(s). Regardless of whether a MEMS fabrication process is used, first blade 806 and first axle portion 810 of first rotatable member 802 may be formed as separate, discrete components or may be formed to create an integrated, monolithic structure. Similarly, second blade 816, second axle portion 820 and third axle portion 822 of second rotatable member 804 may be formed as separate, discrete components or may be formed to create an integrated, monolithic structure.
As can be seen in FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is a region of overlap 832 that generally lies between first axis 814 and second axis 824 in which first blade 806 and second blade 816 overlap one another. In some embodiments, first blade 806 and second blade 816 are always overlapping. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, first blade 806 and second blade 816 only overlap during one or more portions of their rotations, such as when first tooth 808 and second tooth 818 both rotate into the region of overlap 832 simultaneously. In this embodiment, first rotatable member 802 and second rotatable member 804 rotate at the same angular velocity and are synchronized so that first tooth 808 and second tooth 818 overlap one another each time they pass through the region of overlap 832. Additionally, housing portion 812 overlaps second blade 816, at least in the region of overlap 832 when second tooth 818 passes through.
Referring to FIGS. 8B and 8C, the overlapping relationship between first blade 806, second blade 816 and housing portion 812 can be seen. A small gap 834 is provided between first blade 806 and second blade 816. Similarly, a small gap 836 is provided between second blade 816 and housing portion 812. The outer circumference of first blade 806 and the diameter of second axle portion 820 are selected relative to the spacing of first rotation axis 814 and second rotation axis 824 such that a small gap 838 is provided between the tip of first tooth 808 and second axle portion 820. Similarly, the outer circumference of second blade 816 and the diameter of first axle portion 810 are selected relative to the spacing of first rotation axis 814 and second rotation axis 824 such that a small gap 840 is provided between the tip of second tooth 818 and first axle portion 810. A gap 842 is also provided between third axle portion 822 and housing portion 812.
Gap 834 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between first tooth 808 and second tooth 818. Similarly, gap 836 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between second tooth 818 and housing portion 812. Gap 838 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between the tip of first tooth 808 and second axle portion 820. Gap 840 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between the tip of second tooth 818 and first axle portion 810. Gap 842 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between third axle portion 822 and housing portion 812.
What is meant by “small gap” is a tight interface between mating surfaces or edges, which in some embodiments is essentially no gap at all. In these embodiments, mating parts may be configured such that the gap is so small that it is not measurable. This may be accomplished by creating a sliding fit between the mating parts, or creating a small interference fit. With an interference fit, the parts may be designed to flex away from each other so they do not bind. In some embodiments, an interference fit can be reduced to a zero gap fit by driving the rotors with high torque during a break-in period to allow the surfaces to wear or burnish against each other to remove a small amount of material. In some embodiments, at least one of the gaps 834 and 836 is no more than 30 microns. In some embodiments, at least one of the gaps 838, 840 and 842 is no more than 30 microns. In some embodiments, all of the gaps 834, 836, 838, 840 and 842 are no more than 30 microns.
The combination of the five tissue shearing interfaces provided around a blade as just described allows tissue to be sheared more quickly, efficiently and predictably. When all gaps are kept very small, tissue may be efficiently sheared into small pieces (as will be subsequently described in more detail) around all surfaces of the blade, with a reduced risk of the rotatable members getting clogged or jammed.
Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, another embodiment similar to that shown in FIGS. 8A-8C will be described. In this embodiment, one of the rotatable members has more than one blade.
Referring first to FIG. 9A, a tissue cutting device 900 having two overlapping or interdigitated rotatable members 902 and 904 is shown. First rotatable member 902 comprises a first hook-shaped blade 906 having a first tooth 908, a first axle portion 910, and a third hook-shaped blade 911 having a third tooth 913. First rotatable member 902 is rotatably mounted to a housing (not shown) such that it rotates about a first axis 914. Second rotatable member 904 comprises a second hook-shaped blade 916 having a second tooth 918, a second axle portion 920, and a third axle portion 922. Second rotatable member 904 is rotatably mounted to the housing such that it rotates about a second axis 924 that is parallel and offset from first axis 914.
First blade 906 and second axle portion 920 both lie in a first plane 926, and may be fabricated in the same layer(s)/processing step(s), for example if a MEMS fabrication process is used. Similarly, second blade 916 and first axle portion 910 both lie in a second plane 928, and may be fabricated in the same layer(s)/processing step(s). Additionally, third blade 911 and third axle portion 920 both lie in a third plane 930, and may be fabricated in the same layer(s)/processing step(s). Regardless of whether a MEMS fabrication process is used, first blade 906, first axle portion 910, and third blade 911 of first rotatable member 902 may be formed as separate, discrete components or may be formed to create an integrated, monolithic structure. Similarly, second blade 916, second axle portion 920 and third axle portion 922 of second rotatable member 904 may be formed as separate, discrete components or may be formed to create an integrated, monolithic structure.
As can be seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is a region of overlap 932 that generally lies between first axis 914 and second axis 924 in which first blade 906, second blade 916 and third blade 911 overlap one another. In some embodiments, first blade 906, second blade 916 and third blade 911 are always overlapping. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, first blade 906, second blade 916 and third blade 911 only overlap during one or more portions of their rotations, such as when first tooth 908, second tooth 918 and third tooth 913 all rotate into the region of overlap 932 simultaneously. In this embodiment, first rotatable member 902 and second rotatable member 904 rotate at the same angular velocity and are synchronized so that first tooth 908, second tooth 918 and third tooth 913 overlap one another each time they pass through the region of overlap 932.
Referring to FIGS. 9B and 9C, the overlapping relationship between first blade 906, second blade 916 and third blade 911 can be seen. A small gap 934 is provided between first blade 906 and second blade 916. Similarly, a small gap 936 is provided between second blade 916 and third blade 911. The outer circumference of first blade 906 and the diameter of second axle portion 920 are selected relative to the spacing of first rotation axis 914 and second rotation axis 924 such that a small gap 938 is provided between the tip of first tooth 908 and second axle portion 920. Similarly, the outer circumference of second blade 916 and the diameter of first axle portion 910 are selected relative to the spacing of first rotation axis 914 and second rotation axis 924 such that a small gap 940 is provided between the tip of second tooth 918 and first axle portion 910. Additionally, the outer circumference of third blade 911 and the diameter of third axle portion 922 are selected relative to the spacing of first rotation axis 914 and second rotation axis 924 such that a small gap 942 is provided between the tip of third tooth 913 and third axle portion 922.
Gap 934 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between first tooth 908 and second tooth 918. Similarly, gap 936 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between second tooth 918 and third tooth 911. Gap 938 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between the tip of first tooth 908 and second axle portion 920. Gap 940 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between the tip of second tooth 918 and first axle portion 910. Gap 942 is kept small so that tissue can be efficiently sheared between third tooth 913 and third axle portion 922.
What is meant by “small gap” is a tight interface between mating surfaces or edges, which in some embodiments is essentially no gap at all. In these embodiments, mating parts may be configured such that the gap is so small that it is not measurable. This may be accomplished by creating a sliding fit between the mating parts, or creating a small interference fit. With an interference fit, the parts may be designed to flex away from each other so they do not bind. In some embodiments, a “negative gap” or interference fit can be reduced to a zero gap fit by driving the rotors with high torque during a break-in period to allow the surfaces to wear or burnish against each other to remove a small amount of material. In some embodiments, at least one of the gaps 934 and 936 is no more than 30 microns. In some embodiments, at least one of the gaps 938, 940 and 942 is no more than 30 microns. In some embodiments, all of the gaps 934, 936, 938, 940 and 942 are no more than 30 microns.
Additional blades may be added to rotatable members 902 and 904 such that each member has three or more blades, with the blades of the first rotatable member 902 interdigitated with the blades of the second rotatable member 902. With all gaps between the blades, axle portions and housing kept small (no more than 30 microns in some embodiments), tissue may be drawn into the housing and efficiently sheared into small pieces with a reduced risk of the rotatable members getting clogged or jammed.
Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, additional details of the tissue shearing process of some embodiments will be described. The exemplary embodiment shown in these figures includes a first blade 1000 having a first tooth 1002, and a second blade 1004 having a second tooth 1006. First blade rotates about a first axis 1008, and second blade 1004 rotates about a second axis 1010 that is parallel to and radially offset from first axis 1008. First blade 1000 partially overlaps with second blade 1004 in an overlap region 1012. First blade 1000 lies in a plane directly above second blade 1004 with a small gap therebetween, as with previously described embodiments. First blade 1000 has a first axle portion 1014 directly below it, in the same plane as second blade 1004. Similarly, second blade 1004 has a second axle portion 1016 directly above it, in the same plane as first blade 1000.
FIGS. 10A-10C show a progression of steps that occur when the first and second blades cut tissue 1018 into small pieces. As shown in FIG. 10A, first tooth 1002 and second tooth 1006 initially engage the target tissue 1018 when the teeth are near the outer reach of their orbits closest to the tissue. Teeth 1002 and 1006 grab the tissue and start to compress it as they travel toward each other. As shown in FIG. 10A, a heart-shaped volume of tissue 1020 is engaged by the teeth. As teeth 1002 and 1006 travel closer together as shown in FIG. 10B, the heart-shaped volume of tissue is further compressed into a generally circular shaped piece of tissue 1022. As the tips of the teeth come closer together, this circular volume 1022 is separated from the main tissue mass 1018. As shown in FIG. 10C, tooth 1002 of first blade 1000 passes over second blade 1004 and shears the compressed, circular tissue volume in half against the second blade 1004, forming a first thin disc of tissue 1024. The outer tip of first tooth 1002 comes close to the outer diameter of second axle portion 1016 (within 30 microns or less in some embodiments, as previously described.) Any portion of tissue disc 1024 that may be hanging over the tip of the first tooth 1002 is then sheared between the tip and second axle portion 1016. In a similar manner, tooth 1006 of second blade 1004 passes over first blade 1000 and shears the compressed, circular tissue volume in half against the first blade 1000, forming a second thin disc of tissue 1026. The outer tip of second tooth 1006 comes close to the outer diameter of first axle portion 1014 (within 30 microns or less in some embodiments, as previously described.) Any portion of tissue disc 1026 that may be hanging over the tip of the second tooth 1006 is then sheared between the tip and first axle portion 1014. As teeth 1002 and 1006 continue to rotate past the overlap region 1012, tissue discs 1024 and 1026 and other smaller pieces of tissue are expelled into the center of the housing, in the direction of Arrow A. It can be appreciated that when many blades are stacked up and interdigitated like the two blades shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, a target tissue volume 1018 may be quickly rendered into many small discs of tissue.
In some embodiments, the diameter of tissue discs 1024 and 1026 is no larger than about 3000 microns. In other embodiments, the diameter of tissue discs 1024 and 1026 is no larger than about 750 microns. In other embodiments, the diameter of tissue discs 1024 and 1026 is no larger than about 150 microns. In some embodiments, the thickness of tissue discs 1024 and 1026 is no larger than about 1000 microns. In other embodiments, the thickness of tissue discs 1024 and 1026 is no larger than about 250 microns. In other embodiments, the thickness of tissue discs 1024 and 1026 is no larger than about 50 microns. In some embodiments, the small pieces of tissue expand as they are released from teeth 1002 and 1006. In other embodiments, the small pieces of tissue have had liquid compressed out of them and do not expand appreciably. It can be appreciated that when the profiles of first tooth 1002 and second tooth 1006 are modified, the shape of the tissue pieces that emerge may be other than disc shaped.
US2259015 5 Dec 1939 14 Oct 1941 Anderson Marshall C Rotary cutter
US4197645 29 Jun 1977 15 Apr 1980 Scheicher Hans M F Drill head and bone drill
US4334650 * 4 Jul 1979 15 Jun 1982 Hardwick John P Shredding machines
US4598710 20 Jan 1984 8 Jul 1986 Urban Engineering Company, Inc. Surgical instrument and method of making same
US4854808 24 Jun 1988 8 Aug 1989 Bruno Bisiach Multi-articulated industrial robot with several degrees of freedom of movement
US4983179 8 Mar 1989 8 Jan 1991 Smith & Nephew Dyonics Inc. Arthroscopic surgical instrument
US5160095 * 9 Jan 1992 3 Nov 1992 Mono Pumps Limited Macerators
US5676321 3 Apr 1995 14 Oct 1997 Fellowes Mfg. Co. Cutting disk
US5695510 12 Aug 1994 9 Dec 1997 Hood; Larry L. Ultrasonic knife
US5779713 23 Aug 1996 14 Jul 1998 Turjanski; Leon Instrument for removing neurologic tumors
US5863294 26 Jan 1996 26 Jan 1999 Femrx, Inc. Folded-end surgical tubular cutter and method for fabrication
US6217598 18 Nov 1998 17 Apr 2001 Linvatec Corporation End-cutting shaver blade
US6454717 13 Apr 2000 24 Sep 2002 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Concentric catheter drive shaft clutch
US6503263 20 Apr 2001 7 Jan 2003 Medtronic, Inc. Surgical micro-shaving instrument with elevator tip
US6572613 16 Jan 2001 3 Jun 2003 Alan G. Ellman RF tissue penetrating probe
US6663031 2 Jan 2002 16 Dec 2003 Wki Holding Company, Inc. Spice grinding and dispensing mill
US6753952 19 May 2000 22 Jun 2004 Qinetiq Limited Specialised surface
US8002776 12 Sep 2005 23 Aug 2011 Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. Vertebral endplate preparation tool kit
US8292889 26 Feb 2010 23 Oct 2012 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Drive mechanism for articulation of a surgical instrument
US8326414 20 Apr 2007 4 Dec 2012 Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. Nerve stimulating drill bit
US8409235 30 Apr 2010 2 Apr 2013 Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Rotary cutting tool with improved cutting and reduced clogging on soft tissue and thin bone
US8512342 11 Aug 2008 20 Aug 2013 Thomas L. Meredith Portable bone grinder
US20010000531 5 Dec 2000 26 Apr 2001 Casscells Christopher D. Electrocauterizing tool for orthopedic shave devices
US20010041307 26 Feb 2001 15 Nov 2001 Lee Robert Arthur Three-dimensional microstructure
US20020058944 6 Oct 2001 16 May 2002 Michelson Gary K. Spinal interspace shaper
US20020099367 23 Jan 2001 25 Jul 2002 Scimed Life Systems Inc. Frontal infusion system for intravenous burrs
US20020123763 29 Jan 2002 5 Sep 2002 Blake Kenneth R. Arteriotomy scissors for minimally invasive surgical procedures
US20020138088 12 Apr 2002 26 Sep 2002 Kensey Nash Corporation System and method of use for agent delivery and revascularizing of grafts and vessels
US20030144681 29 Jan 2002 31 Jul 2003 Sample Philip B. Tissue cutting instrument
US20030179364 24 Jan 2003 25 Sep 2003 Nanoventions, Inc. Micro-optics for article identification
US20050054972 9 Sep 2003 10 Mar 2005 Adams Kenneth M. Surgical micro-burring instrument and method of performing sinus surgery
US20050090848 22 Oct 2003 28 Apr 2005 Adams Kenneth M. Angled tissue cutting instruments and method of fabricating angled tissue cutting instruments having flexible inner tubular members of tube and sleeve construction
US20060161185 14 Jan 2005 20 Jul 2006 Usgi Medical Inc. Methods and apparatus for transmitting force to an end effector over an elongate member
US20060224160 1 Apr 2005 5 Oct 2006 Trieu Hai H Instruments and methods for aggressive yet continuous tissue removal
US20060229624 31 Mar 2005 12 Oct 2006 Zimmer Technology, Inc. Orthopaedic cutting instrument and method
US20060276782 6 Jun 2005 7 Dec 2006 Tewodros Gedebou Nerve stimulator for use as a surgical guide
US20070073303 9 Sep 2005 29 Mar 2007 Namba Robert S Bone-cutting circular saw
US20070100361 16 Oct 2006 3 May 2007 Microfabrica Inc. Discrete or continuous tissue capture device and method for making
US20080009697 18 Jun 2007 10 Jan 2008 Hani Haider Method and Apparatus for Computer Aided Surgery
US20080091074 9 Oct 2007 17 Apr 2008 Alka Kumar Efficient continuous flow irrigation endoscope
US20090228030 7 Mar 2008 10 Sep 2009 Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Systems and methods for surgical removal of tissue
US20090270812 29 Apr 2009 29 Oct 2009 Interlace Medical , Inc. Access device with enhanced working channel
US20090306773 4 Jun 2008 10 Dec 2009 Acufocus, Inc. Opaque corneal insert for refractive correction
US20100094320 6 Nov 2009 15 Apr 2010 Microfabrica Inc. Atherectomy and Thrombectomy Devices, Methods for Making, and Procedures for Using
US20100152758 5 May 2009 17 Jun 2010 Mark Joseph L Tissue removal device for neurosurgical and spinal surgery applications
US20100160916 25 Sep 2007 24 Jun 2010 Gursharan Singh Chana Cuttting device
US20100191266 28 Jan 2009 29 Jul 2010 Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Systems and methods for surgical removal of brain tumors
US20100217268 19 Feb 2010 26 Aug 2010 University Of Utah Intervertebral milling instrument
US20100305595 5 May 2010 2 Dec 2010 Aesculap Ag Surgical instrument
US20110112563 27 Dec 2010 12 May 2011 Atheromed, Inc. Atherectomy devices and methods
US20110230727 16 Oct 2009 22 Sep 2011 Linguaflex , Inc. Methods and Devices for Treating Sleep Apnea
US20120041263 22 Apr 2010 16 Feb 2012 M.S.T. Medical Surgery Technologies Ltd. Two-part endoscope surgical device
US20120053606 4 Nov 2011 1 Mar 2012 Schmitz Gregory P Selective tissue removal tool for use in medical applications and methods for making and using
US20120109024 25 Jun 2009 3 May 2012 Oncowave Medical Gmbh Device and arrangement for destroying tumor cells and tumor tissue
US20120109172 14 Jan 2011 3 May 2012 Schmitz Gregory P Selective tissue removal tool for use in medical applications and methods for making and using
US20120191116 25 Jan 2011 26 Jul 2012 Gyrus Ent L.L.C. Surgical cutting instrument with distal suction capability
US20120191121 18 Aug 2010 26 Jul 2012 Chen Richard T Concentric cutting devices for use in minimally invasive medical procedures
US20120221035 29 Feb 2012 30 Aug 2012 Harvey Stephen J Surgical cutting accessory with flexible tube
US20130226209 9 Apr 2013 29 Aug 2013 Michael S. Lockard Miniature shredding tool for use in medical applications and methods for making
US20140350567 5 Aug 2014 27 Nov 2014 Gregory P. Schmitz Selective tissue removal tool for use in medical applications and methods for making and using
US20150173788 27 Feb 2015 25 Jun 2015 Michael S. Lockard Miniature shredding tool for use in medical applications and methods for making
DE202008013915U1 26 Jul 2008 12 Feb 2009 Aidelsburger, Hans Vorrichtung zum Abtragen von Gewebe
EP0925857A2 27 Mar 1998 30 Jun 1999 Metalart Corporation Speed gear and manufacturing method and apparatus for it
EP1026996B1 20 Oct 1998 10 Oct 2007 Arthrocare Corporation Systems for tissue resection, ablation and aspiration
EP1256319A2 24 Sep 1997 13 Nov 2002 Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. Powered handpiece and surgical blades and methods thereof
WO1993005719A1 21 Sep 1992 1 Apr 1993 Visionary Medical, Inc. Microsurgical cutting device
WO1999063891A1 9 Jun 1999 16 Dec 1999 Michelson Gary K Device for preparing a space between adjacent vertebrae to receive an insert
WO2002049518A2 14 Nov 2001 27 Jun 2002 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Atherectomy burr with micro-engineered cutting surfaces
WO2002062226A1 1 Feb 2002 15 Aug 2002 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Biopsy apparatus and method
WO2004069498A2 2 Feb 2004 19 Aug 2004 Flex Partners, Inc. Manipulation and cutting system and method
1 Bovie Medical Corporation; Resistick II(TM) Coated Electrodes (product information); 2 pgs.; retrieved from the internet (http://www.boviemedical.com/products-aaronresistickelect.asp); print/retrieval date: Apr. 6, 2016.
2 Chen et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 14/181,247 entitled "Concentric Cutting Devices for Use in Minimally Invasive Medical Procedures," filed Feb. 14, 2014.
3 Cohen et al.; EFAB: Batch production of functional, fully-dense metal parts with micron-scale features; Proc 9th, Solid Freeform Fabrication; Univ. of Texas at Austin; pp. 161-168; Aug. 1998.
4 Cohen et al.; EFAB: low-cost automated electrochemical batch fabrication of abritrary 3-D microstructures; Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology, SPIE 1999 Symposium on Micromachining and Microfabrication; 11 pgs.; Sep. 1999.
5 Cohen et al.; EFAB: Rapid, low-cost desktop micromachining of high aspect ratio true 3-D MEMS; Proc. 12th, IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Workshop; IEEE; pp. 244-251; Jan. 1999.
6 Cohen, Adam L.; 3-D micromachining by electrochemical fabrication; Micromachine Devices; pp. 6-7; Mar. 1999.
7 Cohen, Adam L.; Electrochemical Fabrication (EFAB}); MEMS Handbook; Chapter 19; CRC Press LLC; pp. 19-1-19-23; Jan. 7, 2002.
8 Jho et al.; Endoscopy assisted transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma; Acta Neurochirurgica; 138 (12); pp. 1416-1425; 1996 (year of pub. sufficiently earlier than effective US filing date and any foreign priority date).
9 Lockard et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 12/491,220 entitled "Miniature Shredding Tool for Use in Medical Applications and Methods for Making," filed Jun. 24, 2009.
10 Microfabrication-rapid prototyping's killer application; Rapid Prototyping Report; vol. 9; No. 6; pp. 1-5; Jun. 1999.
11 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/659,734 entitled "Minimally Invasive Micro Tissue Debriders Having Targeted Rotor Positions," filed Oct. 24, 2012.
12 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/714,285 entitled "Micro Debrider Devices and Methods of Tissue Removal," filed Dec. 13, 2012.
13 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/843,462 entitled "MEMS Debrider Drive Train," filed Mar. 15, 2013.
14 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 13/855,627 entitled "Micro-articulated surgical instruments using micro gear actuation," filed Apr. 2, 2013.
15 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 14/033,397 entitled "Micro-Mechanical Devices and Methods for Brain Tumor Removal," filed Sep. 20, 2013.
16 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 14/333,458 entitled "Counterfeiting deterent and security devices, systems, and methods," filed Jul. 16, 2014.
17 Schmitz et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 14/440,088 entitled "Micro-mechanical device and method for obstructive sleep apnea treatment," filed May 1, 2015.
18 SSI Shredding Systems; www.ssiworld.com; 16 pgs.; Sep. 24, 2009 (downloaded).
19 Tseng et al.; EFAB: high aspect ratio, arbitrary 3-D metal microstructures using a low-cost automated batch process; 3rd Int'l. Workshop on High Aspect Ratio Microstructure Technology (HARMST99); Kazusa, Japan; 4 pgs.; Jun. 1999.
20 Tseng et al.; EFAB: high aspect ratio, arbitrary 3-D metal microstructures using a low-cost automated batch process; Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS); vol. 1; ASME 1999 (Int'l. Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition; 6 pgs.; Nov. 1999.
21 Zhang et al.; EFAB: rapid desktop manufacturing of true 3-D microstructures; Proc. 2nd Int'l. Conf. on Integrated MicroNanotechnology for Space Applications; The Aerospace Co.; 11 pgs.; Apr. 1999.
International Classification A61B17/16, A61B17/00, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207, A61B17/22, A61B17/14, A61B17/32, A61B17/221
Cooperative Classification A61B90/361, A61B17/16, A61B17/1671, A61B2017/22039, A61B2017/2927, A61B2017/003, A61B17/221, A61B2017/320048, A61B2017/22077, A61B2017/1602, A61B2017/320775, A61B17/22031, A61B17/14, A61B2017/00261, A61B2017/32006, A61B2017/320032, A61B2017/22044, A61B17/32002, A61B2017/32004
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SCHMITZ, GREGORY P.;WU, MING-TING;CHEN, RICHARD T.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:030321/0591