Intervertebral decompression

• US 20040127963A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NeuroTherm, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories), Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: To, Kevin, Uchida, Andy H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,449,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3496 Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7061 for stabilising vertebrae or discs by improving the condition of their tissues, e.g. using implanted medication or fluid exchange intraosseous injection devices A61B17/3472
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8836 for heating, cooling or curing of bone cement or fluid fillers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0011 : piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 : alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 : Discectomy
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 : Steerable
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22044 : with a pointed tip
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 : after introduction of a substance
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 : with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 : having a basket shaped structure
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00625 : Vaporization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 : with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 : in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1266 : with DC current output
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 : Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 : Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 : Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0298 : with a section for heating and a section for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0084 : being one or more injection needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 : Tip steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 : having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 : with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0155 : with hydraulic or pneumatic means, e.g. balloons or inflatable compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0158 : with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 : Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

A method of delivering energy to an intervertebral disc includes positioning an energy delivery device adjacent an inner wall of the disc, and shrinking the nucleus pulposus. An energy delivery element of the device is positioned adjacent a bulge in the intervertebral disc. Energy delivery is controlled based on monitored temperature. A device for delivering energy includes a catheter with a distal portion configured to be inserted into a patient and to follow a natural boundary of a patient tissue, and an energy delivery element located at the distal portion for treating tissue. The distal portion includes a braided polymeric material. The catheter has a proximal portion including a tube for transmitted torque to the distal portion. The energy delivery element is a resistive heating coil having a length, e.g., of about 1.5 cm.

Claims

1. A method of delivering energy to an intervertebral disc, comprising:

positioning an energy delivery device adjacent an inner wall of the disc, and shrinking the nucleus pulposus.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the energy delivery device further comprises positioning an energy delivery element of the device adjacent a bulge in the intervertebral disc.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring temperature.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising controlling energy delivery based on the monitored temperature.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a catheter including the energy delivery device.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising introducing the catheter into the intervertebral disc and advancing the catheter along the inner wall of the disc.

7. A device for delivering energy, comprising:

a catheter including a distal portion configured to be inserted into a patient and to follow a natural boundary of a patient tissue, the distal portion including a braided polymeric material, and

an energy delivery element located at the distal portion for treating tissue.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the catheter further comprises a proximal portion including a tube for transmitted torque to the distal portion.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the tube is attached to the braided polymeric material by a bonding agent.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the energy delivery element comprises a resistive heating coil.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the coil has a length of about 1.5 cm.

12. The device of claim 7 wherein the braided polymeric material is in the form of a tube defining a lumen.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the energy delivery element is located within the lumen.

14. The device of claim 12 further comprising a pair of wires located within the lumen.

15. The device of claim 14 further comprising a sleeve around which the pair of wires are spirally wound.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the wires are joined in the distal portion to form a thermocouple.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the thermocouple is peripherally located.

18. The device of claim 7 wherein the distal portion includes an atraumatic tip.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the atraumatic tip is formed of a heat/UV cured polymer.