IONTOPHORETIC AND ELECTROOSMOTIC DISC TREATMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, comprising:
- a first electrode, configured to be inserted into a nucleus pulposus of the disc;
a second electrode, configured to be placed outside of the nucleus pulposus, in a vicinity of the nucleus pulposus; and
a control unit, configured to drive a current between the first and second electrodes, and to configure the current to electroosmotically drive fluid between inside and outside the nucleus pulposus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus (10) is provided for treating an intervertebral disc (20) of a subject. The apparatus (10) includes a first electrode (30), configured to be inserted into a nucleus pulposus (40) of the disc (20), and a second electrode (32), configured to be placed outside of the nucleus pulposus (40), in a vicinity of the nucleus pulposus (40). A control unit (34) is configured to drive a current between the first and second electrodes (30, 32), and to configure the current to electroosmotically drive fluid between inside and outside the nucleus pulposus (40). Other embodiments are also described.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. Apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, comprising:
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a first electrode, configured to be inserted into a nucleus pulposus of the disc; a second electrode, configured to be placed outside of the nucleus pulposus, in a vicinity of the nucleus pulposus; and a control unit, configured to drive a current between the first and second electrodes, and to configure the current to electroosmotically drive fluid between inside and outside the nucleus pulposus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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9-10. -10. (canceled)
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18-28. -28. (canceled)
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29. Apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc, comprising:
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a first electrode, configured to be inserted into a nucleus pulposus of the disc; and a second electrode, electrically coupled to the first electrode, and configured to be placed outside of the nucleus pulposus, in a vicinity of the nucleus pulposus. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, comprising:
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driving a current between a first site within a nucleus pulposus of the disc and a second site outside of the nucleus pulposus; and configuring the current to electroosmotically drive fluid between inside and outside the nucleus pulposus. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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42. (canceled)
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45. (canceled)
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51-60. -60. (canceled)
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61. A method for treating an intervertebral disc, comprising:
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identifying that the disc requires treatment; and treating the disc by; inserting a first electrode into a nucleus pulposus of the disc, and placing a second electrode, which is electrically coupled to the first electrode, outside of the nucleus pulposus, in a vicinity of the nucleus pulposus. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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63-66. -66. (canceled)
Specification