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:
Jun. 05, 2012
Filed:
Nov. 26, 2008
Gregory P. Schmitz, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael P. Wallace, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Ronald Leguidleguid, Fremont, CA (US);
Nestor C. Cantorna, Fremont, CA (US);
James Shapiro, San Francisco, CA (US);
Jeffery L. Bleich, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Gregory P. Schmitz, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael P. Wallace, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Ronald Leguidleguid, Fremont, CA (US);
Nestor C. Cantorna, Fremont, CA (US);
James Shapiro, San Francisco, CA (US);
Jeffery L. Bleich, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Baxano, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
Described herein are elongate device for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on (or formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected. The rungs are typically rigid, somewhat flat and wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used. The blades (on the rungs) may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. A tissue-collection or tissue capture element (e.g., chamber, bag, or the like) may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue. In some variations the tissue modification devices may have a non-linear axial shape, or may be converted from a first axial shape to a second axial shape.