Radially adjustable tissue removal device

Abstract

A tissue removal kit or assembly comprises a cannula and a tissue removal probe axially slidable within the cannula. The tissue removal probe comprises an elongated member a distal end configured to curve when distally deployed from the cannula. The tissue removal probe further comprises a drive shaft rotatably disposed within the member, and a rotatable tissue removal element (e.g., an abrasive burr) disposed on the drive shaft adjacent the member distal end. The curved member distal end may associate the tissue removal element, which has its own axis of rotation, with a radius of revolution about the longitudinal axis of the member. The member is laterally flexible and resilient, so that the radius of revolution can be adjusted. In this manner, the tissue removal element can remove tissue around an adjustable arc.

1 . A tissue removal probe, comprising: 
 a laterally flexible and resilient elongated member having a lumen and a pre-curved distal end;    a drive shaft rotatably disposed within the member lumen;    a rotatable tissue removal element disposed on the drive shaft adjacent the member distal end, the tissue removal element having an axis of rotation.    
     
     
         2 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the member distal end is pre-curved at approximately ninety degrees.  
     
     
         3 . The probe of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue removal element comprises an abrasive burr.  
     
     
         4 . The probe of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximal adapter mounted to the member, the proximal adapter configured for mating with a drive unit.  
     
     
         5 . A tissue removal kit, comprising: 
 a cannula having a lumen; and    a tissue removal probe axially slidable within the cannula lumen, the tissue removal probe comprising: 
 an elongated member having a lumen and a distal end configured to curve when distally deployed from the cannula lumen;  
 a drive shaft rotatably disposed within the member lumen; and  
 a rotatable tissue removal element disposed on the drive shaft adjacent the member distal end, the tissue removal element having an axis of rotation.  
   
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the cannula is rigid.  
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the cannula has a tissue-penetrating distal tip.  
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the tissue removal probe is removably disposed within the cannula lumen.  
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the cannula is curved.  
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the member distal end is pre-curved.  
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the tissue removal probe comprises at least one pull wire mounted to the member distal end.  
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the member is laterally flexible.  
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the member is laterally resilient.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the member distal end is configured to curve at approximately a ninety degree when distally deployed from the cannula lumen.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 5 , wherein the tissue removal element comprises an abrasive burr.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue removal probe further comprises a proximal adapter mounted to the member, the proximal adapter configured for mating with a drive unit.  
     
     
         17 . A method of removing tissue from an anatomical body, comprising: 
 introducing a cannula into the anatomical body at a first location;    introducing a tissue removal probe through the cannula, wherein the tissue removal probe comprises an elongated member having a straight portion and a distal end, and a distally located tissue removal element associated with the distal end, the straight member portion having a first axis of rotation, and the tissue removal element having a second axis of rotation;    displacing the tissue removal element, wherein the member distal end bends to associate the tissue removal element with a first radius of revolution about the first axis of rotation;    rotating the straight member portion around the first axis of rotation, wherein the tissue removal element scribes a first arc defined by the first radius of revolution; and    rotating the tissue removal element about the second axis of rotation to remove tissue at at least two points along the first arc.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the member distal end is pre-curved.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cannula distal end is curved.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue removal element is rotated while the straight member portion is rotated, whereby the tissue removal element continuously removes tissue along the first arc.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first arc forms a circle.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 displacing the tissue removal element, wherein the member distal end bends to associate with tissue removal element with a second radius of revolution different from the first radius of revolution;    rotating the straight member portion around the first axis of rotation, wherein the tissue removal element scribes a second arc defined by the second radius of revolution; and    rotating the tissue removal element about the second axis of rotation to remove tissue at at least two points along the second arc.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the second radius of revolution is greater than the first radius of revolution.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second arcs form circles.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein a solid disc of tissue is removed.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising displacing the cannula along the first axis of rotation to a second location, and repeating the member distal end displacement, straight member portion rotation, and tissue removal element rotation steps.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising displacing the cannula along the first axis of rotation to a second location, and repeating the member distal end displacement, straight member portion rotation, and tissue removal element rotation steps.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein a solid cylinder of tissue is removed.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the member distal end bends at a ninety degree angle.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising aspirating the removed tissue from the anatomical body.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the anatomical body is an intervertebral disc.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the anatomical body is a vertebral body.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue is bone tissue.  
     
     
         34 . A method of removing tissue from an anatomical body, comprising: 
 introducing a cannula into the anatomical body at a first location;    introducing a tissue removal probe through the cannula, wherein the tissue removal probe comprises an elongated member having a distal end, and a distally located tissue removal element associated with the distal end and having an axis of rotation;    displacing the tissue removal element from the cannula to associate the tissue removal element with a first radius of curvature;    bending the member distal end, wherein the tissue removal element scribes a first arc defined by the first radius of curvature; and    rotating the tissue removal element about the axis of rotation to remove tissue at at least two points along the first arc.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the tissue removal element is rotated while the tissue removal element scribes the first arc, whereby the tissue removal element continuously removes tissue along the first arc.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first arc forms a semi-circle.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 displacing the tissue removal element from the cannula to associate the tissue removal element with a second radius of curvature;    bending the member distal end, wherein the tissue removal element scribes a second arc defined by the second radius of curvature; and    rotating the tissue removal element about the axis of rotation to remove tissue at at least two points along the second arc.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second arcs form semi-circles.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein a solid radial sector of tissue is removed.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising aspirating the removed tissue from the anatomical body.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the anatomical body is an intervertebral disc.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the anatomical body is a vertebral body.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the tissue is bone tissue.