Spinal diagnostic methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising:
- positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus;
anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient;
causing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced;
introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance includes at least one anesthetic or analgesic; and
allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren'"'"'t anchored.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiments, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a sources of the patient'"'"'s pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.
327 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; causing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance includes at least one anesthetic or analgesic; and allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren'"'"'t anchored. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance is introduced automatically over a period of time; and allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren'"'"'t anchored. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus; allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren'"'"'t anchored; leaving the catheter device in position with the distal portion in the disc; and administering the at least one substance over time to provide treatment of spinal pain. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for identifying an intervertebral disc that is causing pain, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in a nucleus of a disc of a patient; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the disc nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus; instructing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced, wherein the patient assumes a position which would pull the distal end of the catheter from the disc nucleus if it weren'"'"'t anchored; and introducing at least one analgesic or anesthetic into the disc through the catheter after the patient has assumed the position, wherein the patient observes whether the analgesic or anesthetic has reduced the pain experienced. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification