SPINAL DIAGNOSTIC METHODS AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- delivering a substance from a device implanted in a patient'"'"'s body through a catheter into an intervertebral disc, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is anchored in the intervertebral disc.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient'"'"'s pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.
119 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
delivering a substance from a device implanted in a patient'"'"'s body through a catheter into an intervertebral disc, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is anchored in the intervertebral disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system comprising:
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an elongated body, wherein a distal portion of the elongated body includes an anchoring member configured to anchor the distal portion of the elongated body in an intervertebral disc; and
an implantable devices coupled with the elongated body. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A device comprises:
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a catheter wherein the distal portion of the catheter is configured for placement within an intervertebral disc;
an anchor configured to secured the distal portion of the catheter in the intervertebral disc; and
an implantable device configured to deliver a treatment to the intervertebral disc through the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification