TISSUE MODIFICATION DEVICES

摘要

Described herein are elongate devices 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 may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue.

主权项

1. A method of modifying tissue, the method comprising:
passing a guidewire at least partially around the target tissue; and pulling a flexible tissue-modification device around the target tissue using the guidewire, wherein the flexible tissue-modification device comprises:
a flexible elongate body having a width and a thickness,a plurality of rungs, wherein each rung extends at least partially across the width of the body,gaps between adjacent pairs of rungs, and at least one cutting edge on two or more of the rungs; moving the tissue-modification device against the target tissue by pulling the tissue-modification device from at least one end of the device; and cutting the target tissue with the cutting edges on the rungs of the tissue-modification device.