Treatment method using multiple energy sources

• US 10,299,860 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2014
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutronic Corporation (Lutronic, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lutronic Corporation (Lutronic, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ko, Kwang Chon
• Primary Examiner(s): Roane, Aaron F
• Application Number:
  US14/778,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20160278861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,896 Days
• Field of Search: 606 14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00339 Spine, e.g. intervertebral disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00994 combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2288 the optical fibre cable having a curved distal end

Abstract

The present invention relates to treatment method using multiple energy sources. The treatment method using multiple energy sources, includes: applying a first energy into an inside of an annulus fibrosus; and applying a second energy different from the first energy to an outside of the annulus fibrosus.

Claims

1. A treatment method using multiple energy sources, the method comprising:

applying a first energy into an inner layer of an annulus fibrosus by a delivery means inserted through the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus; and

applying a second energy different from the first energy to a penetration region on an outside surface of the annulus fibrosus,

wherein a level of the second energy is lower than a level of the first energy,

wherein a portion of the delivery means is entirely located within the annulus fibrosus when the first energy is applied, the portion of the delivery means protruding from an end of a catheter, and

wherein the second energy is applied when the delivery means is separated from the annulus fibrosus after the first energy has been applied.

2. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein the delivery means emits a laser, and

wherein the applying of the first energy comprises:

penetrating through the penetration region on the outside surface of the annulus fibrosus and inserting the delivery means through the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus; and

applying the first energy while moving the delivery means in the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus.

3. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein the second energy is applied using a laser that has an energy level lower than an energy level of the first energy.

4. The treatment method of claim 3, wherein the second energy is applied through a same delivery means as the delivery means of the first energy.

5. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus is disposed between a pair of layers of the annulus fibrosus, each of the inner layer and the pair of layers including collagen fiber bundles.

6. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein the delivery means is an optical fiber.

7. The treatment method of claim 1, wherein the delivery means is inserted through the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus by moving the delivery means within the inner layer that is disposed between a pair of layers of the annulus fibrosus, each of the inner layer and the pair of layers including collagen fiber bundles.

8. A treatment method using multiple energy sources, the method comprising:

penetrating a penetration region on an outside surface of an annulus fibrosus and inserting a laser delivery means through an inner layer of the annulus fibrosus;

applying a first energy into the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus through the laser delivery means;

separating the laser delivery means from the annulus fibrosus after applying the first energy; and

contracting/coagulating the penetration region by applying a second energy for contraction/coagulation to the penetration region,

wherein a level of the second energy is lower than a level of the first energy,

wherein a portion of the laser delivery means is entirely located within the annulus fibrosus when the first energy is applied, the portion of the laser delivery means protruding from an end of a catheter, and

wherein the second energy is applied when the laser delivery means is separated from the annulus fibrosus after the first energy has been applied.

9. The treatment method of claim 8, wherein the second energy for contraction/coagulation is applied through the laser delivery means.

10. The treatment method of claim 8, wherein the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus is disposed between a pair of layers of the annulus fibrosus, each of the inner layer and the pair of layers including collagen fiber bundles.

11. The treatment method of claim 8, wherein the laser delivery means is an optical fiber.