Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for arthroscopically accessing a predetermined area of a patient's spinal column including the steps of inserting a first cannula into a patient's back in an area that is in a generally posterolateral position relative to a patient's spine, said first cannula having a first and second end with said first end passing through tissue and having an outwardly directed tissue moving surface; inserting fluid utilizing viewing means through said first cannula, moving muscle and/or tissue through manipulation of the tissue moving surface of the first cannula to create a working space, said fluid of the viewing means being under pressure with said fluid pressure maintaining the working space created by the manipulation of the first cannula; inserting a second cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first cannula; inserting a cutting instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to incise the ligamentum flavum adjacent the working space to expose bone in the area that is generally in a posterolateral position relative to the patient's spine; and inserting a third cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first and second cannulas, and thereafter conducting an arthroscopic spinal surgical procedure on the spinal column by manipulating instruments through said second and third cannulas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for arthroscopically accessing a predetermined area of a patient's spinal column including the steps of inserting a first cannula into a patient's back in an area that is in a generally posterolateral position relative to a patient's spine, said first cannula having a first and second end with said first end passing through tissue and having an outwardly directed tissue moving surface; inserting fluid utilizing viewing means through said first cannula, moving muscle and/or tissue through manipulation of the tissue moving surface of the first cannula to create a working space, said fluid of the viewing means being under pressure with said fluid pressure maintaining the working space created by the manipulation of the first cannula; inserting a second cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first cannula; inserting a cutting instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to incise the ligamentum flavum adjacent the working space to expose bone in the area that is generally in a posterolateral position relative to the patient's spine; and inserting a third cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first and second cannulas, and thereafter conducting an arthroscopic spinal surgical procedure on the spinal column by manipulating instruments through said second and third cannulas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said tissue moving surface of the first cannula extends in a radial direction from the first end of said cannula.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first cannula is inserted into the patient's back in an area of a lumbar region of the spinal column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the arthroscopic spinal surgical procedure performed through the use of the inserted cannulas includes a laminectomy.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
252 words
A method of performing an arthroscopic laminectomy in a predetermined area of a patient's spinal column including the steps of: inserting a first cannula having a body, a first end and a second end into a patient's back in an area that is in a generally posterolateral position relative to a patient's spinal column, said first end of the cannula having a tissue manipulating surface; inserting fluid utilizing viewing means through said first cannula; moving muscle and tissue through manipulation of the first cannula and its tissue manipulating surface to create a working space adjacent the patient's spinal column, said fluid of the viewing means being under pressure with said fluid pressure maintaining the working space; inserting a second cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first cannula; inserting a cutting instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to incise the ligamentum flavum adjacent the working space; inserting a cutting/suction instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to remove a portion of the ligamentum flavum sufficient to expose a nerve and disc area of the spinal column; inserting a nerve moving instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to move sufficient nerves to expose the spinal column disc area; inserting a third cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first and second cannulas; and inserting a grasping instrument through the third cannula to grasp and remove a herniated portion of the spinal disc.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
252 words
A method of performing an arthroscopic laminectomy in a predetermined area of a patient's spinal column including the steps of: inserting a first cannula having a body, a first end and a second end into a patient's back in an area that is in a generally posterolateral position relative to a patient's spinal column, said first end of the cannula having a tissue manipulating surface; inserting fluid utilizing viewing means through said first cannula; moving muscle and tissue through manipulation of the first cannula and its tissue manipulating surface to create a working space adjacent the patient's spinal column, said fluid of the viewing means being under pressure with said fluid pressure maintaining the working space; inserting a second cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first cannula; inserting a cutting instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to incise the ligamentum flavum adjacent the working space; inserting a cutting/suction instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to remove a portion of the ligamentum flavum sufficient to expose a nerve and disc area of the spinal column; inserting a nerve moving instrument through the second cannula and into the working space to move sufficient nerves to expose the spinal column disc area; inserting a third cannula into the patient's back in a predetermined position relative to the first and second cannulas; and inserting a grasping instrument through the third cannula to grasp and remove a herniated portion of the spinal disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the tissue manipulating surface on the first cannula extends in a radial outward direction from the first end of the first cannula.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the first cannula tissue manipulating surface has a sharp curved end that is wider than the body of the cannula and said sharp end extends in a radial outward direction from the body of the cannula.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the cutting/suction instrument inserted through the second cannula includes a rongeur cutting means.