Method for delivering energy adjacent the inner wall of an intervertebral disc
First Claim
1. A method of delivering energy to an inner wall of an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
- providing a catheter having an energy delivery device adjacent a distal end of the catheter;
positioning the energy delivery device adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc; and
delivering energy adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc from the energy delivery device positioned adjacent the inner wall.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter'"'"'s distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus. Next the functional element is positioned at a selected location of the disc by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter. Then the functional unit treats the annular fissure. Optionally, there is an additional step of adding a substance to seal the fissure. An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus also is disclosed.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of delivering energy to an inner wall of an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
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providing a catheter having an energy delivery device adjacent a distal end of the catheter;
positioning the energy delivery device adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc; and
delivering energy adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc from the energy delivery device positioned adjacent the inner wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
a posterior medial, posterior lateral, anterior medial and anterior lateral region of the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus.
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3. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device is positioned adjacent a site of an annular fissure adjacent the inner wall of the disc.
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4. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy includes delivering thermal energy or electromagnetic energy.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy includes delivering a controlled amount of energy adjacent the inner wall such that no vaporization occurs adjacent the inner wall of the disc.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy includes delivering a controlled amount of energy adjacent the inner wall such that no material other than water is removed adjacent the inner wall of the disc.
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7. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering energy includes delivering a controlled amount of energy adjacent the inner wall such that no destructive lesion is formed adjacent the inner wall of the disc.
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8. A method of delivering energy to an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
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providing a catheter having an energy delivery device adjacent a distal end of the catheter;
positioning the energy delivery device within the intervertebral disc; and
delivering energy within the intervertebral disc from the energy delivery device such that a greater amount of energy is delivered to a selected portion of the inner wall than to a center of the disc.
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9. A method of delivering energy at a selected location adjacent an inner wall of an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
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providing a catheter having an energy delivery device adjacent a distal end of the catheter;
positioning the energy delivery device in the intervertebral disc;
advancing the energy delivery device non-linearly within the intervertebral disc to the selected location adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc; and
delivering energy to the selected location adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc from the energy delivery device positioned adjacent the inner wall of the disc. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of delivering energy at a selected location adjacent an inner wall of an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
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providing a catheter having an energy delivery device adjacent a distal end of the catheter;
positioning the energy delivery device adjacent the inner wall of the intervertebral disc;
advancing the energy delivery device adjacent at least a portion of the inner wall of the intervertebral disc to the selected location; and
delivering energy to the selected location the inner wall of the intervertebral disc from the energy delivery device positioned adjacent the inner wall. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of delivering energy at a selected location adjacent an inner wall of an intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
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providing a catheter having an energy delivering element adjacent a distal end of the catheter;
positioning the energy delivering element at a selected location adjacent an inner wall of an intervertebral disc by applying a sufficient force to the catheter to advance the distal end of the catheter along a path adjacent the inner wall, which force is insufficient to puncture an annulus fibrosus of the disc; and
delivering energy from the energy delivering element to disc tissue at the selected location of the disc. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification