IMPLANTABLE THERMAL TREATMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20130261507A1
• Filed: 03/09/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Diederich, Chris J., Lotz, Jeffrey C., Nau, William H. Jr., Bradford, David S.
• Application Number:
  US13/792,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20130261507A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00339 Spine, e.g. intervertebral disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/374 NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/022 intracavitary

Abstract

A long-term implantable 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 effected 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 achieves other responses without appreciable remodeling.

Claims

1. A method for providing long-term, invasive treatment for a medical condition associated with a skeletal joint within a body of a patient, comprising:

delivering a therapeutic level of ultrasound energy to a region of tissue associated with the joint from a location within the body of the patient and according to a long-term ultrasound therapy protocol.