Systems and methods for electrosurgical intervertebral disc replacement
First Claim
1. A method for treating a vertebral disc, the vertebral disc including an annulus fibrosus, a nucleus pulposus, and at least one fissure in the annulus fibrosus, the method comprising:
- positioning a distal end of a shaft of an electrosurgical probe into the disc, the probe comprising at least one active electrode and at least one return electrode, the at least one active electrode being disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft;
positioning the at least one active electrode within a portion of the nucleus pulposus adjacent to and/or in contact with the at least one fissure;
removing the portion of nucleus pulposus by applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus;
sealing a portion of the nucleus pulposus proximate the at least one fissure; and
inserting a sealant material within the disc proximate the at least one fissure in the annulus fibrosus, thereby improving stability of the disc, and wherein the steps of sealing and inserting inhibit migration of the nucleus pulposus through the fissure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient'"'"'s body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid or saline-rich tissue to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for contracting a portion of the nucleus pulposus of a vertebral disc by applying a high frequency voltage between an active electrode and a return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus, where contraction of the portion of nucleus pulposus inhibits migration of the portion nucleus pulposus through the fissure.
473 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method for treating a vertebral disc, the vertebral disc including an annulus fibrosus, a nucleus pulposus, and at least one fissure in the annulus fibrosus, the method comprising:
-
positioning a distal end of a shaft of an electrosurgical probe into the disc, the probe comprising at least one active electrode and at least one return electrode, the at least one active electrode being disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft; positioning the at least one active electrode within a portion of the nucleus pulposus adjacent to and/or in contact with the at least one fissure; removing the portion of nucleus pulposus by applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus; sealing a portion of the nucleus pulposus proximate the at least one fissure; and inserting a sealant material within the disc proximate the at least one fissure in the annulus fibrosus, thereby improving stability of the disc, and wherein the steps of sealing and inserting inhibit migration of the nucleus pulposus through the fissure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for treating a herniated vertebral disc, the vertebral disc comprising an annulus fibrosus having a fissure therein and a nucleus pulposus, the method comprising:
-
positioning a distal end of a shaft of an electrosurgical probe into a herniated portion of the 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 at least one active electrode being disposed towards the distal end of the shaft; positioning the at least one active electrode within the herniated portion of the nucleus pulposus; removing the herniated portion of the nucleus pulposus by applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode, thereby relieving the herniation and creating a space between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus; sealing a portion of the nucleus pulposus proximate the fissure; and inserting a sealant material in the space between the nucleus pulposus and the fissure, wherein the steps of sealing and inserting inhibit migration of the nucleus pulposus through the fissure. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
Specification