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Method and apparatus for treating annular fissures in intervertebral discs

  • US 6,997,941 B2
  • Filed: 03/17/2003
  • Issued: 02/14/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A device for treating an intervertebral disc, the device comprising:

  • an introducer including a needle, the introducer defining an introducer lumen, and the introducer having sufficient rigidity to penetrate an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc; and

    a catheter configured to be inserted through the introducer lumen and into the intervertebral disc, the catheter having a distal region including a bipolar radiofrequency electrode configuration, the distal region having sufficient column strength to be advanced by blunt dissection through a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to an inner wall of the annulus fibrosus and sufficient rigidity in a direction out of a disc plane of the intervertebral disc to substantially inhibit bending in the direction.

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