Epidural nerve root access catheter and treatment methods
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a human or animal patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter device, sized to be placed in an epidural space of a spinal canal of a human or animal patient, the catheter device having a distal region with a pre-formed configuration including at least one curve and a distal tip;
providing the distal region of the catheter device in a substantially straightened configuration;
introducing the distal region of the catheter device into a sacral hiatus of a human or animal patient;
advancing, while in a straightened configuration, the distal region of the catheter device anterogradely through the epidural canal from the sacral hiatus to a site adjacent a targeted nerve root; and
positioning the distal tip of the catheter device in proximity to the targeted nerve root by causing the distal region of the catheter device to resume the pre-formed configuration.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for accessing and/or treating spinal cord nerve roots.
147 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of treating a human or animal patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a catheter device, sized to be placed in an epidural space of a spinal canal of a human or animal patient, the catheter device having a distal region with a pre-formed configuration including at least one curve and a distal tip;
providing the distal region of the catheter device in a substantially straightened configuration;
introducing the distal region of the catheter device into a sacral hiatus of a human or animal patient;
advancing, while in a straightened configuration, the distal region of the catheter device anterogradely through the epidural canal from the sacral hiatus to a site adjacent a targeted nerve root; and
positioning the distal tip of the catheter device in proximity to the targeted nerve root by causing the distal region of the catheter device to resume the pre-formed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of treating a human or animal patient, comprising:
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providing a catheter device, sized to be placed in an epidural space of a spinal canal of a human or animal patient, the catheter device having a distal region with a pre-formed configuration including at least one curve, a distal tip, and a lumen extending from a proximal region of the catheter device to the distal region, the lumen being sized to accommodate a guidewire;
introducing the catheter device into the spinal canal of the patient, the catheter device being introduced while in a relatively straight configuration obtained by having a guidewire located within the lumen;
advancing the catheter device anterogradely along an epidural space of the spinal canal of the patient to a site such that the distal region of the catheter device is disposed adjacent a targeted nerve root; and
positioning the distal tip of the catheter device in proximity to the targeted nerve root by withdrawing the guidewire from the catheter device lumen so that the distal region of the catheter device assumes its pre-formed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for imaging and/or treating a human or animal patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a catheter device structured to be placed in a epidural space of a spinal canal of a human or animal patient, the catheter device including a distal region having a pre-formed configuration including a primary curve of at least about 90 degrees, the primary curve being selected to facilitate access to a target nerve root within the spinal canal of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification