Device and method for treatment of intervertebral disc disruption
First Claim
1. A method of treatment of an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a catheter into an interior of a mammalian disc, wherein a length of said catheter that is present in said interior of said mammalian disc is formed in an S shape when no material pressure is applied to said catheter;
b) performing a therapeutic process on said interior of said mammalian disc; and
c) withdrawing said catheter from said mammalian disc.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of positioning an arcuate catheter against an inner annular wall of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc, by arthroscopy is presented. The arcuate catheter retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. This present device and method require no forward tip pressure on the inner annular wall of a mammalian intervertebral disc. An arcuate sheath having a cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate sheath is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate sheath and catheter are used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of treatment of an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting a catheter into an interior of a mammalian disc, wherein a length of said catheter that is present in said interior of said mammalian disc is formed in an S shape when no material pressure is applied to said catheter;
b) performing a therapeutic process on said interior of said mammalian disc; and
c) withdrawing said catheter from said mammalian disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15)
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6. A method of treatment of an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting an introducer needle through a wall of a mammalian intervertebral disc and into an interior of said mammalian intervertebral disc;
b) advancing a lumen into said introducer needle;
c) advancing a catheter that extends though said lumen and into said interior of said mammalian intervertebral disc, wherein a length of said catheter that is present in said interior of said mammalian intervertebral disc has an arcuate shape, and said catheter has shape retention properties to maintain said arcuate shape when no pressure is applied to said catheter;
d) positioning said catheter against an interior posterior wall of said mammalian disc;
e) performing a therapeutic process to said posterior wall of said mammalian disc; and
f) withdrawing said catheter from said interior of said mammalian disc. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16)
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17. A device used in an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc, comprising:
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a) a lumen; and
b) a catheter that extends though said lumen, wherein a length of said catheter that is inserted into an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc has an S shape, and said catheter has shape retention properties to maintain said S shape when no material pressure is applied to said catheter. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification