Articulating cavitation device

Abstract

Provided is an articulating cavitation device configured to cut cancellous bone wholly within a vertebra. The articulating cavitation device includes an end effector, having an extendable cutting element, configured to articulate relative to an insertion tube. The end effector of the cavitation device may be articulated and rotated with the cutting element extended to form a tissue cavity about multiple axes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for orthopedic cavity formation comprising:
 (a) an insertion member, wherein the insertion member includes an elongated body extending along a first axis;   (b) an end effector, wherein the end effector is associated with the insertion member and is located distal to the insertion member;   (c) a first articulation region, wherein the end effector is configured for articulation relative to the insertion member at the first articulation region such that the end effector is offset from the first axis; and   (d) a cutting member, wherein the cutting member is configured to be selectively extended from the end effector between a retracted position and an extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first articulation region is a pivot pin about which the end effector articulates relative to the insertion member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector is configured to articulate relative to the insertion member into alignment with a second axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cutting member is configured to extend outward when the end effector is articulated. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector is configured to articulate relative to the insertion member with mechanical articulation. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector is configured to rotate relative to the insertion member such that, when the cutting member is in the extended position, rotating the end effector causes the cutting member to cut cancellous vertebral bone. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated end effector is configured to rotate with the cutting member extended to form a cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector is configured to be rotated and articulated simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second articulation region, wherein a distal portion of the end effector is configured to articulate relative to a proximal portion of the end effector. 
     
     
         10 . A method of tissue cavity formation comprising the steps of:
 providing a tissue cavity formation device, the tissue cavity formation device comprising:
 (a) an insertion member, having a proximal end and a distal end, extending along a first axis; 
 (b) an end effector, the end effector being fixedly coupled at about the distal end of the insertion member, wherein the end effector is configured to pivot relative to the distal end of the insertion member from a first position, substantially aligned with the first axis of the insertion member, to a second position, and to rotate relative to the distal end of the insertion member; and 
 (c) a cutting member, the cutting member being associated with the end effector, wherein the cutting member is selectively extended from the end effector; 
   inserting the tissue cavity formation device into tissue   transitioning the end effector relative to the insertion member from the first position to the second position;   extending the cutting member from the end effector; and   rotating the end effector relative to the distal end of the insertion member to form a tissue cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of transitioning the end effector relative to the insertion member comprises pivoting the end effector at about 40 degrees to at about 60 degrees relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of forming an initial access passage in tissue, wherein the cavity formation device is inserted into the initial access passage. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of inserting the cavity formation device into tissue comprises extending the cutting member from the end effector and rotating the end effector when the end effector is in the first position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of transitioning the end effector occurs concomitantly with the step of rotating the end effector. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tissue cavity is an orthopedic cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the orthopedic cavity is a spinal cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the spinal cavity is a vertebral cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of transitioning the end effector comprises the steps of:
 pivoting the end effector a first distance to form a first portion of the tissue cavity;   and   pivoting the end effector a second distance to form a second portion of the tissue cavity, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a fracture reduction apparatus;   inserting the fracture reduction apparatus into the tissue cavity;   inflating the fracture reduction apparatus to reduce a fracture; and   delivering bone cement into the tissue cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of transitioning the end effector comprises pivoting the end effector in a stepped manner such that a successively larger cavity is created.