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Intervertebral disc replacement method

  • US 7,104,986 B2
  • Filed: 05/12/2003
  • Issued: 09/12/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for preparing a patient for a prosthetic disc nucleus implant, by ablating tissue of a nucleus pulposus of a vertebral disc, the method comprising:

  • positioning a distal end of a shaft of an electrosurgical probe in contact with the vertebral disc, the probe having a plurality of electrodes coupled to a high frequency power supply, the plurality of electrodes comprising at least one active electrode and at least one return electrode, the active electrode being disposed towards the distal end of the shaft;

    applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode within the nucleus pulposus to ablate and/or vaporize the nucleus pulposus tissue; and

    ablating and/or vaporizing significantly all of the nucleus pulposus, while preserving an annulus of the disc.

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