Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: An anchoring element, such as a bone screw, may comprise an at least partially threaded shaft having a core and a longitudinal channel. An elongated element movable with the channel may be a tensioning element, for example affixed to the distal portion, and/or a rigid element. The core may have one or more lateral cut-outs, which may be V-shaped, at the distal portion. Each cut-out may be backed by an effective hinge that may be displaced from the longitudinal axis, and may have a transverse slit between the hinge and an opposite surface of the core from the cut-out. Upon axial movement of the elongated element, e.g. toward a proximal end of the shaft, the distal portion may deflect to an angle from the shaft's longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the anchoring element may be pre-biased to deflect and maintained straight by a rigid element until axial movement of the rigid element.

Abstract: An apparatus for tissue separation comprises a hollow retractor expandable in at least one dimension, the retractor having upper and lower guide surface portions for contacting respective upper and lower tissue surfaces; a first dilator having a distal portion configured to fit inside the upper and lower guide surface portions of the retractor so as to expand a distance between the upper and lower guide surface portions of the retractor and thereby separate the upper and lower tissue surfaces by a first distance; and a second dilator having a distal portion configured to fit inside the upper and lower guide surface portions of the retractor so as to expand a distance between the upper and lower guide surface portions of the retractor and thereby render the upper and lower tissue surfaces being separated by a second distance, the second distance greater than the first distance.

Abstract: An implant for maintaining a given minimum inter-spinous-process spacing includes an implant body with a number of segments hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery along a conduit and a curved deployed state. An elongated tightening element is anchored at the distal segment of the implant body and passes along a channel extending along the implant body. Tension applied to the tightening element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the curved deployed state. Preferably, when the tightening element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, a locking arrangement locks the tightening element relative to the implant body, thereby retaining the implant in the curved deployed state. A distal portion of the implant body is preferably formed with a set of lateral projections to inhibit withdrawal of the distal portion between adjacent spinous processes after deployment.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device may comprise a deflectable elongated tissue disrupting element rotatable around its central axis, the central axis being a longitudinal axis when the disrupting element is in a straightened state. The tissue disrupting element may be rotatably anchored at a distal location and may be deflectable into a curved configuration. A rotary drive configured to rotate the tissue disrupting element around its central axis in the straightened state and in the curved configuration. An elongated element may be wound around and rigidly affixed to the tissue disrupting element. In some embodiments, the elongated element protrudes sufficiently radially from the tissue disrupting element that rotation of the tissue disrupting element generates an axial motion of disrupted tissue. In one preferred embodiment, the tissue disrupting element and/or elongated element comprises wire mesh.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: Deflectable implants, systems and methods for implanting deflectable implants are disclosed. The deflectable implant (100) includes at least one sequence of segments (102), the sequence includes at least two segments (102), the segments (102) being interconnected at effective hinges (107), the sequence assuming a straightened or low curvature insertion state for insertion into the body, the sequence being deflectable to a fully deflected state defined by abutment features of adjacent of the segments (102).

Abstract: A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

Abstract: A medical device (10) includes an implant body (20) with a number of segments (30) hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery and a flexed or roughly curved deployed state. Implant body may have engagement elements on at least two different segments, for example on a majority of segments. An elongated locking element anchored at the distal segment of the implant body may have projections for at least each engagement element. Tension applied to the locking element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the flexed deployed state. When the locking element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, flexing segments of the implant body lock by matching engagement elements of the implant body with projections of the locking element. A very secure lock may be formed to prevent opening after deployment.

Abstract: A device for removing material from within the body, includes an elongated element formed from hollow segments sequentially interconnected at effective hinges. The device assumes an insertion configuration for insertion of the segments sequentially through an opening of a first dimension into the body. A portion of the elongated element inserted into the body progressively assumes a material removing configuration in which a relative position of each segment relative to an adjacent segment is delineated by the effective hinge together with additional abutment surfaces defining a fully deflected state of the effective hinge. The material removing configuration has at least two dimensions exceeding the first dimension. At least two of the segments are formed with at least one opening, typically provided with a cutting configuration, deployed so as to receive material into a hollow volume of the segment during progressive formation of the material removing configuration as the elongated element is advanced.

Abstract: A device comprising an elongated conduit comprising further at least an upper profile and at least a lower profile is disclosed. The upper and lower profiles being relatively displaceable such that when a distal part of the conduit is deployed between two regions of tissue, a spacing between an upper distal surface of the upper profile and a lower distal surface of the lower profile can be varied, thereby opening a space between the two regions of tissue, and wherein the upper and lower profiles are further configured so as to define therebetween a working channel to provide access to the space between the two regions of tissue through the conduit.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: A device for removing material from within the body, includes an elongated element formed from hollow segments sequentially interconnected at effective hinges. The device assumes an insertion configuration for insertion of the segments sequentially through an opening of a first dimension into the body. A portion of the elongated element inserted into the body progressively assumes a material removing configuration in which a relative position of each segment relative to an adjacent segment is delineated by the effective hinge together with additional abutment surfaces defining a fully deflected state of the effective hinge. The material removing configuration has at least two dimensions exceeding the first dimension. At least two of the segments are formed with at least one cutting configuration deployed so as to collect material into a hollow volume of the segment during progressive formation of the material removing configuration as the elongated element is advanced.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.