Method of identifying and treating a pathologic region of an intervertebral disc
First Claim
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1. A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having a pathologic region, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) positioning a probe having a diagnostic element adjacent to the disc, b) activating the diagnostic element to identify the pathologic region as the probe is adjacent the disc, and c) therapeutically treating the identified pathologic region.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising locally identifying a pathologic tissue site and therapeutically treating the identified site.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having a pathologic region, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) positioning a probe having a diagnostic element adjacent to the disc, b) activating the diagnostic element to identify the pathologic region as the probe is adjacent the disc, and c) therapeutically treating the identified pathologic region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
d) identifying a location of a structure of an adjacent vertebral body, and e) therapeutically treating the identified structure.
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11. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises a therapeutic element and the therapeutic element treats an inner wall of the annulus fibrosus.
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12. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises a therapeutic element, the diagnostic element is an optical element, and the therapeutic element delivers energy via an active electrode.
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13. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises a therapeutic element.
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14. The method of claim 1 wherein the diagnostic element is adapted to utilize an analytical technique selected from the group consisting of Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence, autofluorescence, reflected light, impedence, MRI and ultrasound as a means for identifying or analyzing the pathologic region.
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15. The method of claim 14 wherein the probe comprises at least two different diagnostic elements.
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16. The method of claim 15 wherein the two different diagnostic elements are adapted to respectively utilize the analytic techniques of reflected light and autofluoroscence.
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17. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises a therapeutic element selected from the group consisting of:
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i) an element capable of delivering energy to tissue in a therapeutic amount, ii) an element capable of delivering or removing a material from a location adjacent the element'"'"'s location in the probe;
iii) a mechanical grasping tool for removing or depositing a solid; and
iv) a guidance tool for allowing passage of other devices.
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18. The method of claim 17 wherein the therapeutic element is an energy delivery element.
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19. The method of claim 18 wherein the energy delivery element is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a ultrasound element comprising an ultrasound transducer, a microwave element, and an RF energy element.
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20. The method of claim 18 wherein the therapeutic element is an RF energy element comprising an active electrode and a return electrode.
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21. The method of claim 20 wherein the active and return electrodes are disposed on the same probe.
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22. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of activating the diagnostic element to identify the pathologic region comprises the substep of performing analysis of information received from a passive sensor by comparing the information against a comparable tissue property information in a computer data base.
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23. A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having a pathologic region, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) navigating a probe having a diagnostic element and a therapeutic element to a first position adjacent to the disc, b) activating the diagnostic element to identify the pathologic region within the disc as the probe is adjacent the disc, c) navigating the probe to a second position closer to the pathologic region identified in step b), and d) activating the therapeutic element to treat the pathologic region. - View Dependent Claims (24)
d) activating the diagnostic element to confirm the therapeutic treatment of the pathologic tissue.
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25. A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having a pathologic region, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) positioning a probe having a diagnostic element and a therapeutic element adjacent to the disc, the diagnostic element comprising a sensor and an active element, b) transmitting energy through the active element to target tissue to produce a signal from the pathologic region as the probe is adjacent the disc, c) transmitting the signal through the sensor, d) evaluating the signal to identify the pathologic region, and e) therapeutically treating the identified pathologic region. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification