The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 12, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2007
Stephen E. Eichmann, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Zachary J. Malchano, San Francisco, CA (US);
James K. Wall, San Francisco, CA (US);
Kenneth S. Wu, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Stephen E. Eichmann, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Zachary J. Malchano, San Francisco, CA (US);
James K. Wall, San Francisco, CA (US);
Kenneth S. Wu, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Insite Medical Technologies, Inc., Saratoga, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for accessing the epidural space in a mammal has a cutting sheath with a distal end adapted to transition from a closed cutting configuration to an open configuration. A tissue engagement device is in a hollow portion of the sheath. The tissue engagement device has a blunt distal end and an engagement feature. A method of accessing an epidural space includes the step of forming an opening to a position at or near the ligamentum flavum using the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is positioning a tissue engagement device within the hollow portion of the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is transitioning the cutting sheath from the closed cutting configuration to the open configuration. Another step of the method is manipulating the tissue engagement device to controllably advance the tissue engagement device at least partially through the ligamentum flavum.