SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING CONDITIONS AND DISEASES OF THE SPINE
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- a balloon catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the balloon catheter comprising;
at least a first inner balloon positioned inside an outer balloon, the balloons located at the distal end of the balloon catheter, the outer balloon having a flat top side and a flat bottom side;
an optical fiber having a core surrounded by a cladding material, the optical fiber comprising;
a nonlinear light-emitting portion including a plurality of spaced apart cuts in the cladding material along a length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion exposing the core so that light energy may be emitted from the core along the length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion; and
a linear elongated portion for guiding light towards the nonlinear light-emitting portion,wherein the optical fiber has a curved conformation in which the nonlinear light-emitting portion of the optical fiber forms at least one loop around the first inner balloon from inside the outer balloon.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for treating conditions and diseases of the spine are disclosed herein. A device includes a balloon catheter comprising at least one inner lumen incorporated within an elongated shaft; a distal end having an inner balloon positioned inside and completely surrounded by an outer balloon; and a proximal end having an adapter for passage of at least one of an inflation fluid or a medical instrument; and an optical fiber comprising an outer diameter sized to pass through the inner lumen of the elongated shaft; a nonlinear light-emitting portion of a given length, wherein a portion of a cladding material from the nonlinear light-emitting portion has been removed so that light energy may be emitted along the length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion; and a linear elongated portion for guiding light towards the nonlinear light-emitting portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
a balloon catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the balloon catheter comprising; at least a first inner balloon positioned inside an outer balloon, the balloons located at the distal end of the balloon catheter, the outer balloon having a flat top side and a flat bottom side; an optical fiber having a core surrounded by a cladding material, the optical fiber comprising; a nonlinear light-emitting portion including a plurality of spaced apart cuts in the cladding material along a length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion exposing the core so that light energy may be emitted from the core along the length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion; and a linear elongated portion for guiding light towards the nonlinear light-emitting portion, wherein the optical fiber has a curved conformation in which the nonlinear light-emitting portion of the optical fiber forms at least one loop around the first inner balloon from inside the outer balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for treatment of an intervertebral disc comprising:
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a balloon catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the balloon catheter comprising; a first inner balloon positioned inside an outer balloon, the balloons located at the distal end of the balloon catheter, the outer balloon having a flat top side and a flat bottom side; and an optical fiber having a core surrounded by a cladding material, the optical fiber comprising; a nonlinear light-emitting portion including a plurality of spaced apart cuts in the cladding material along a length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion exposing the core so that light energy may be emitted from the core along the length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion; a linear elongated portion for guiding light towards the nonlinear light-emitting portion; wherein, the optical fiber has a relaxed condition in which the nonlinear light-emitting portion of the optical fiber assumes a curved conformation, in which the nonlinear light-emitting portion of the optical fiber forms at least one loop around the first inner balloon, and has a stretched condition in which the nonlinear light-emitting portion of the optical fiber has a linear conformation in which the nonlinear light-emitting portion of the optical fiber can be advanced through the inner lumen of the elongated shaft of the balloon catheter; a light-sensitive fluid; and a light source. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for repairing a vertebral compression fracture comprising:
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gaining access to a collapsed vertebrae; delivering to the collapsed vertebrae, in an unexpanded state, an expandable member having a first inner balloon positioned inside and completely surrounded by an outer balloon; injecting an inflation fluid into the outer balloon to expand the outer balloon and to temporarily restore height of the collapsed vertebrae; maintaining the expanded outer balloon while injecting a light-curable fluid into the inner balloon to expand the inner balloon within the expanded outer balloon; positioning an optical fiber sufficiently designed to emit light energy along a length of the optical fiber inside the expandable member, wherein the optical fiber is connected to a light source; activating the light source; delivering light energy to the optical fiber from the light source; and curing the light-curable fluid inside the inner balloon to harden the inner balloon within the expanded outer balloon. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification