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:
Oct. 29, 2013
Filed:
Aug. 17, 2012
Gregory P. Schmitz, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael P. Wallace, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Winnie Chung, San Jose, CA (US);
Amie R. Borgstrom, San Francisco, CA (US);
Jeffery L. Bleich, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Gregory B. Arcenio, Redwood City, CA (US);
Ronald Leguidleguid, Union City, CA (US);
Roy Leguidleguid, Union City, CA (US);
Jefferey Bleam, Boulder Creek, CA (US);
Gregory P. Schmitz, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Michael P. Wallace, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Winnie Chung, San Jose, CA (US);
Amie R. Borgstrom, San Francisco, CA (US);
Jeffery L. Bleich, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Gregory B. Arcenio, Redwood City, CA (US);
Ronald Leguidleguid, Union City, CA (US);
Roy Leguidleguid, Union City, CA (US);
Jefferey Bleam, Boulder Creek, CA (US);
Baxano Surgical, Inc., Raleigh, NC (US);
Abstract
Described herein are methods and systems for precisely placing and/or manipulating devices within the body by first positioning a guidewire or pullwire. The device to be positioned within the body is coupled to the proximal end of the guidewire, and the device is pulled into the body by pulling on the distal end of the guidewire that extends from the body. The device may be bimanually manipulated by pulling the guidewire distally, and an attachment to a device that extends proximally, allowing control of both the proximal and the distal ends. In this manner devices (and particularly implants such as innerspinous distracters, stimulating leads, and disc slings) may be positioned and/or manipulated within the body. Guidewire exchange systems, devices and methods are also described. A guidewire may be exchanged between different surgical devices and may be releaseably or permanently coupled.