Apparatus and Method for Treatment of an Intervertebral Disc

• US 20100274243A1
• Filed: 04/05/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shanahan, John, Fredricks, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US12/754,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20100274243A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance

Abstract

An elongated probe member is disclosed. The elongated probe member comprises proximal and distal ends, an outer wall, and a guidable region. The elongated probe member includes an internal lumen and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The guidable region is adjacent the distal end of the elongated probe member. The guidable region includes a plurality of undulating grooves.

Claims

1. An elongated probe member, comprising:

proximal and distal ends and an outer wall, the elongated probe member including an internal lumen and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough; and

a guidable region adjacent the distal end, the guidable region including a plurality of undulating grooves.

2. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of undulating grooves extends at least partially longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis from an originating point.

3. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of undulating grooves includes an origin and a terminus separated by a relative to from each other.

4. The elongated probe member according to claim 3, wherein the origin and the terminus are substantially at the same longitudinal position along the length of the guidable region.

5. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the undulating grooves defines a sinusoidal configuration.

6. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein the guidable region includes a longitudinally extending backbone, the backbone being devoid of the undulating grooves and being dimensioned to resist bending of the guidable region normally relative to the longitudinal axis.

7. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of undulating grooves define a non-linear path along the outer wall in communication with the internal lumen.

8. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of undulating grooves is dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one of a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis.

9. The elongated probe member according to claim 1, wherein the elongated probe member is adapted for connection to a thermal energy source that provides thermal energy to tissue.