METHOD FOR PROVIDING DIRECTIONAL THERAPY TO SKELETAL JOINTS
First Claim
1. A method for treating a medical condition associated with a spinal joint within a body of a patient, comprising:
- positioning a directional treatment assembly external to a structure associated with the spinal joint;
using the directional treatment assembly at the location external to the structure, directionally delivering a therapeutic level of energy in a first direction into a region of tissue in a vertebral body associated with the spinal joint from the location; and
denervating nociceptive fibers or cells associated with said spinal joint.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for treating a medical condition associated with a spinal joint within a body of a patient, comprising:
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positioning a directional treatment assembly external to a structure associated with the spinal joint; using the directional treatment assembly at the location external to the structure, directionally delivering a therapeutic level of energy in a first direction into a region of tissue in a vertebral body associated with the spinal joint from the location; and denervating nociceptive fibers or cells associated with said spinal joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for treating a medical condition associated with a spinal joint within a body of a patient, comprising:
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positioning a directional treatment assembly at an external location with respect to the spinal joint; using the directional treatment assembly at the location external to the spinal joint, delivering a field of therapeutic energy in a first direction into a treatment region in a vertebral body associated with the spinal joint; the field of therapeutic energy converging from the external location to a focus within the treatment region; and denervating nociceptive fibers or cells associated with the treatment region. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for therapeutically treating a medical condition associated with a spinal joint within a body of a patient, the spinal joint comprising a vertebral body having a bony mass, comprising:
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positioning a directional treatment assembly at a location external to the spinal joint; using the directional treatment assembly at the external location, directionally delivering a focused field of therapeutic energy from the external location toward a treatment location within the bony mass of the vertebral body; and denervating nociceptive fibers or cells associated with said treatment location. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification