Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for accessing a tissue and expanding an apparatus within the tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first expandable member and a second expandable member disposed within the first expandable member. The first expandable member is configured to disrupt a body when in an expanded configuration and rotated relative to the body. The second expandable member is configured to block at least a portion of disrupted portions of the body from being disposed within the first expandable member. In some embodiments, the first expandable member is coupled to a sheath. The first expandable member is configured to be inserted at least partially into the body while disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The sheath is configured to be moved proximally while at least partially inserted into the body such that the first expandable member is moved from its collapsed to its expanded configuration.

Abstract: A surgical access device can include a plurality of retractor members that together define a lumen having a first cross-sectional dimension. Each of the plurality of retractor members can be moved radially outward to at least a second cross-sectional dimension to create a surgical access passage. The surgical access device, systems and kits comprising the surgical access device, and methods of using the surgical access device can include a mechanism for inserting an elongate member from exterior the body to the surgical she, a mechanism for moving the retractor members radially outward, a mechanism for guiding the radially outward movement of the retractor members, a mechanism for securing each of the retractor members in a range of positions, and a mechanism for illuminating the surgical site. Variations of the devices, systems, kits, and methods are useful for creating and maintaining a surgical access passage for performing minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: A surgical access device can include a plurality of retractor members that together define a lumen having a first cross-sectional dimension. Each of the plurality of retractor members can be moved radially outward to at least a second cross-sectional dimension to create a surgical access passage. The surgical access device, systems and kits comprising the surgical access device, and methods of using the surgical access device can include a mechanism for inserting an elongate member from exterior the body to the surgical site, a mechanism for moving the retractor members radially outward, a mechanism for guiding the radially outward movement of the retractor members, a mechanism for securing each of the retractor members in a range of positions, and a mechanism for illuminating the surgical site. Variations of the devices, systems, kits, and methods are useful for creating and maintaining a surgical access passage for performing minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally invasive medical procedures are disclosed herein. In one example, an apparatus includes an elongate body that has a deformable distal portion and defines a lumen, the lumen extends through the deformable distal portion. The deformable distal portion has a cutting portion and defines an opening. The elongate body has a first configuration in which the opening is a first size and a second configuration in which the opening is a second size smaller than the first size of the opening. The elongate body in the first configuration is configured to be percutaneously inserted at least partially into a tissue such that at least a portion of the tissue is disposed within the lumen. The elongate body is configured to move to the second configuration when the elongate body reaches a threshold temperature while inserted in the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatuses for performing minimally invasive medical procedures are disclosed herein. In one example, an apparatus includes an outer body that defines an opening at a distal end, and a cutting portion disposed at an edge of the opening. An inner body is movably disposed within the outer body and defines an opening at a distal end. The outer body and the inner body collectively have a first configuration in which the opening on the outer body is substantially aligned with the opening on the inner body and the opening on the outer body is configured to receive a portion of a tissue, and a second configuration in which the opening on the outer body and the opening on the inner body are substantially misaligned and the cutting portion on the outer body is configured to sever the portion of the tissue from a remaining portion of the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for accessing a tissue and expanding an apparatus within the tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first expandable member and a second expandable member disposed within the first expandable member. The first expandable member is configured to disrupt a body when in an expanded configuration and rotated relative to the body. The second expandable member is configured to block at least a portion of disrupted portions of the body from being disposed within the first expandable member. In some embodiments, the first expandable member is coupled to a sheath. The first expandable member is configured to be inserted at least partially into the body while disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The sheath is configured to be moved proximally while at least partially inserted into the body such that the first expandable member is moved from its collapsed to its expanded configuration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongate body having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The elongate body has a cutting portion at a distal portion of the elongate body, and the cutting portion defines an opening in the elongate body. The distal portion of the elongate body is configured to be inserted into a nucleus of an intervertebral disc when the elongate body is in the collapsed configuration. The cutting portion of the elongate body is configured to disrupt at least a portion of tissue within the nucleus of the intervertebral disc when the elongate body is in the expanded configuration. The elongate body is configured to capture the portion of tissue within the opening of the elongate body when the elongate body is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration while disposed within the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A surgical access device can include a plurality of retractor members that together define a lumen having a first cross-sectional dimension. Each of the plurality of retractor members can be moved radially outward to at least a second cross-sectional dimension to create a surgical access passage. The surgical access device, systems and kits comprising the surgical access device, and methods of using the surgical access device can include a mechanism for inserting an elongate member from exterior the body to the surgical site, a mechanism for moving the retractor members radially outward, a mechanism for guiding the radially outward movement of the retractor members, a mechanism for securing each of the retractor members in a range of positions, and a mechanism for illuminating the surgical site. Variations of the devices, systems, kits, and methods are useful for creating and maintaining a surgical access passage for performing minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: Several embodiments of cutting tips for tools for creating voids in interior body regions are provided. The cutting tips provide for rotational and translational cutting. An actuator mechanism for deploying a cutting tip converts the rotational movement of a wheel into translational movement of a plunger rod. The actuator mechanism provides positive cutting action as the cutting tip is moved from a first, non-deployed position to a second, deployed position and from the second, deployed position to the first, non-deployed position. Methods of creating a void in bone provide one or more mechanical cutting tools that may be used in combination with one or more expandable void-creating structures to form a void of a desired size and configuration.

Abstract: Several embodiments of cutting tips for tools for creating voids in interior body regions are provided. The cutting tips provide for rotational and translational cutting. An actuator mechanism for deploying a cutting tip converts the rotational movement of a wheel into translational movement of a plunger rod. The actuator mechanism provides positive cutting action as the cutting tip is moved from a first, non-deployed position to a second, deployed position and from the second, deployed position to the first, non-deployed position. Methods of creating a void in bone provide one or more mechanical cutting tools that may be used in combination with one or more expandable void-creating structures to form a void of a desired size and configuration.