METHODS AND DEVICES FOR APPLYING LOCALIZED THERMAL THERAPY
First Claim
1. A thermal device, comprising:
- a connector configured to couple a first spinal fixation rod to a second spinal fixation rod, the connector having a first recess formed therein configured to receive a first spinal fixation rod and a second recess formed therein configured to receive a second spinal fixation rod;
a delivery conduit extending from the connector and being configured to supply a thermal medium to a chamber formed in the connector; and
an exhaust conduit extending from the connector and being configured to withdraw the thermal medium from the chamber.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting or positioning a thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. A number of exemplary thermal devices are disclosed, including bone anchors, inserts for use with bone anchors, K-wires, bone anchor extensions or towers, cross-connectors, spinous process plates, spinal rods, pedicle markers, bone taps, drill bits, bone plugs, bone plates, clamps, interbody or disc implants, thermal pads, and tubing loops. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A thermal device, comprising:
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a connector configured to couple a first spinal fixation rod to a second spinal fixation rod, the connector having a first recess formed therein configured to receive a first spinal fixation rod and a second recess formed therein configured to receive a second spinal fixation rod; a delivery conduit extending from the connector and being configured to supply a thermal medium to a chamber formed in the connector; and an exhaust conduit extending from the connector and being configured to withdraw the thermal medium from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of applying localized thermal therapy, comprising:
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coupling a connector to a first spinal fixation rod and to a second spinal fixation rod secured to a spine of a patient such that a cavity formed in the connector is disposed adjacent to a spinal canal of the patient; and delivering a thermal medium to the cavity to apply a thermal effect to the spinal canal of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A thermal device, comprising:
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an elongate shield configured to be positioned over a midline of a patient'"'"'s spinal canal, the shield including a superior flange having an opening formed therein through which a bone anchor can be received to couple the shield to a superior vertebra and an inferior flange having an opening formed therein through which a bone anchor can be received to couple the shield to an inferior vertebra; a delivery conduit extending from the shield, the delivery conduit being configured to supply a thermal medium to a chamber formed in the shield; and an exhaust conduit extending from the shield, the exhaust conduit being configured to withdraw the thermal medium from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of protecting a spinal canal and applying localized thermal therapy, comprising:
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positioning a plate over a spinal canal such that a longitudinal axis of the plate is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spinal canal; attaching a superior flange of the plate to a superior vertebra using at least one bone anchor; attaching an inferior flange of the plate to an inferior vertebra using at least one bone anchor; and applying a thermal effect to the plate to apply localized thermal therapy to the spinal canal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22-143. -143. (canceled)
Specification