Method for Treatment of an Intervertebral Disc
First Claim
1. A method for performing a nucleoplasty comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongated thermal or electromagnetic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof;
introducing the guidable region of the probe into a nucleus of an intervertebral disc;
activating the probe;
increasing the amplitude of the activated probe until an effect is obtained on the nervous system;
noting the amplitude at which the effect on the nervous system is observed, wherein the noted amplitude is saved as a threshold amplitude in a generator operatively associated with the probe, wherein the threshold amplitude provides a proximity to critical nerve tissue and determines a temperature that may be selected on the generator for the treatment of the nucleus; and
re-activating the probe to treat the nucleus, wherein the probe is activateable up to a temperature that is dictated by the threshold amplitude of the nervous system stimulation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to methods for relieving pain associated with an intervertebral disc having a disc nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus fibrosus surrounding the nucleus pulposus. The method includes the steps of providing an elongated thermal or electromagnetic probe member having a flexible guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof; introducing the flexible guidable region of the probe into the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc or nucleons pulpous; and supplying thermal or electromagnetic energy, from an energy source, to heat or induce an electromagnetic field adjacent to the annulus fibrosus sufficient to produce a thermal or electromagnetic effect on the intervertebral disc. The flexible guidable region of the probe may be introduced at a location which is in relative close proximity to the region of intervertebral disc to be thermally or electromagnetically treated.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for performing a nucleoplasty comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongated thermal or electromagnetic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof; introducing the guidable region of the probe into a nucleus of an intervertebral disc; activating the probe; increasing the amplitude of the activated probe until an effect is obtained on the nervous system; noting the amplitude at which the effect on the nervous system is observed, wherein the noted amplitude is saved as a threshold amplitude in a generator operatively associated with the probe, wherein the threshold amplitude provides a proximity to critical nerve tissue and determines a temperature that may be selected on the generator for the treatment of the nucleus; and re-activating the probe to treat the nucleus, wherein the probe is activateable up to a temperature that is dictated by the threshold amplitude of the nervous system stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of performing a nucleoplasty comprising the steps of:
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providing a generator; providing an apparatus for performing the nucleoplasty, the apparatus including; an introducer cannula having at least an electrically conductive distal end; a stylet selectively positionable in the introducer cannula to occlude the introducer cannula during introduction of the introducer cannula into an intervertebral disc; and an elongated thermal or electromagnetic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof; introducing the introducer cannula having the stylet positioned therewithin into the intervertebral disc; monitoring an impedance of tissue adjacent the distal end of the introducer cannula to determine when the distal end of the introducer cannula is positioned within the nucleus; removing the stylet from the introducer cannula prior to introduction of the guidable region of the probe into the introducer cannula; introducing the probe through the introducer cannula such that the guidable region thereof extends from the distal end of the introducer cannula and into the nucleus; activating the probe; increasing the amplitude of the activated probe until an effect is obtained in the nervous system; noting the amplitude at which the effect on the nervous system is observed, wherein the noted amplitude is saved as a threshold amplitude in the generator operatively associated with the probe, wherein the threshold amplitude provides a proximity to critical nerve tissue and determines a temperature that may be selected on the generator for the treatment of the nucleus; and re-activating the probe to treat the nucleus, wherein the probe is activateable up to a temperature that is dictated by the threshold amplitude of nervous system stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification