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Method for manipulating tissue of an intervertebral disc

  • US 5,980,504 A
  • Filed: 06/24/1997
  • Issued: 11/09/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of manipulating a disc tissue of an intervertebral disc, the disc having a nucleus pulposus, and annulus fibrosus, and an inner wall of the annulus fibrosus, the method comprising:

  • providing a catheter having a functional element adjacent a distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for externally guiding the distal end of the catheter within an intervertebral disc;

    positioning the functional element inner wall of the annulus fibrosus by applying a sufficient force to advance the functional element through the nucleus pulposus to the inner wall of the annulus, which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus; and

    performing a function on the disc tissue using the functional element.

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