Apparatus and method for treatment of an intervertebral disc
First Claim
1. A surgical apparatus which treats tissue, comprising:
- an elongated probe member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated probe member comprising an internal lumen and a guidable region adjacent the distal end, the guidable region comprising a plurality of undulating grooves which define a non-linear path along the outer wall in communication with the internal lumen and being dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one of a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis, the elongated probe member being adapted for connection to a thermal energy source which provides thermal energy to tissue; and
a cannula which facilitates introduction of the elongated probe member into the intervertebral disc, the cannula comprising a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen which receives the elongated probe member, the elongated probe member being advanceable within the lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for approaching the intervertebral disc through a percutaneous insertion from the back of a patient for thermal or electromagnetic treatment of an intervertebral disc, includes an elongated probe member having a guidable region adjacent its distal end with an undulating groove defined in its outer surface. The undulating groove is dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one radial direction of movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the thermal probe. Preferably, the guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves, whereby adjacent undulating grooves are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The undulating grooves each define a sinusoidal configuration which may be arranged about an undulating axis extending in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis. The guidable region also includes a longitudinally extending backbone which resists bending of the guidable region in a radial direction of movement. The apparatus may also include a cannula to facilitate introduction of the thermal probe into the intervertebral disc. The cannula includes an arcuate end portion dimensioned to arrange the guidable region of the thermal probe at a desired orientation within the annulus fibrosis.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A surgical apparatus which treats tissue, comprising:
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an elongated probe member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated probe member comprising an internal lumen and a guidable region adjacent the distal end, the guidable region comprising a plurality of undulating grooves which define a non-linear path along the outer wall in communication with the internal lumen and being dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one of a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis, the elongated probe member being adapted for connection to a thermal energy source which provides thermal energy to tissue; and
a cannula which facilitates introduction of the elongated probe member into the intervertebral disc, the cannula comprising a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen which receives the elongated probe member, the elongated probe member being advanceable within the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification