| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides a method of and an apparatus for removing bone, capsule and capsular ligaments from a co-operating pair of superior and inferior articulating processes (also called facet joints) of the spine to create a path for postero-lateral endoscopic access to the vertebral foramen and to the epidural space of the spinal canal; successively advancing tools (64) of an increasing diameter along said path; advancing through a working cannula (40) of an endoscope in order to visualise the herniated disc material and to check for the presence of nerve roots or dural sac; and engaging soft tissue with a tool in the working cannula, said soft tissue deriving from said herniated disc, and withdrawing said tissue through the cannula, hereby to relieve pressure on nerve structures within the vertebral foramen and spinal canal.</p> |
