Apparatus for thermal treatment of an intervertebral disc
First Claim
1. A method for relieving pain associated with an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus surrounding the nucleus pulposus, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a thermal transmitting element of a thermal probe into the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, the thermal probe defining proximal and distal ends and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof the guidable region characterized by having sufficient rigidity to advance within the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc in response to an axial force exerted on the proximal end of the thermal probe while having sufficient flexibility to substantially follow and conform to an azimuthal course defined by the natural striata of the annulus fibrosus;
advancing the thermal transmitting element of the thermal probe within the annulus fibrosus while avoiding the nucleus pulposus; and
supplying thermal energy from a thermal energy source to the thermal transmitting element to heat the annulus fibrosus adjacent the transmitting element while avoiding directly heating the nucleus pulposus sufficiently to relieve pain associated with the intervertebral disc.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for treating an intervertebral disc having an inner nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus fibrosus includes a thermal probe defining proximal and distal ends and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof. The guidable region is characterized by having sufficient rigidity to advance within the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc in response to an axial force exerted on the proximal end of the thermal probe while having sufficient flexibility to substantially follow and conform to an azimuthal course defined by the natural striata of the annulus fibrosus. The thermal probe is adapted for connection to a thermal energy source to provide thermal energy to the annulus fibrosus to alleviate pain associated with the intervertebral disc.
41 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for relieving pain associated with an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus surrounding the nucleus pulposus, comprising the steps of:
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introducing a thermal transmitting element of a thermal probe into the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, the thermal probe defining proximal and distal ends and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof the guidable region characterized by having sufficient rigidity to advance within the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc in response to an axial force exerted on the proximal end of the thermal probe while having sufficient flexibility to substantially follow and conform to an azimuthal course defined by the natural striata of the annulus fibrosus; advancing the thermal transmitting element of the thermal probe within the annulus fibrosus while avoiding the nucleus pulposus; and supplying thermal energy from a thermal energy source to the thermal transmitting element to heat the annulus fibrosus adjacent the transmitting element while avoiding directly heating the nucleus pulposus sufficiently to relieve pain associated with the intervertebral disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for relieving pain associated with an intervertebral disc, the intervertebral disc having a disc nucleus and an annulus fibrosus surrounding the disc nucleus, the method comprising the steps of:
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accessing an intervertebral disc with a cannula; advancing a thermal probe having a heat transmitting region through the cannula into the intervertebral disc and within the annulus fibrosus while avoiding the disc nucleus to, position the heat transmitting region of the thermal probe in at least one of posterior, lateral and posterior-lateral areas of the annulus fibrosus, the thermal probe defining proximal and distal ends and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof, the guidable region characterized by having sufficient rigidity to advance within the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc in response to an axial force exerted on the proximal end of the thermal probe while having sufficient flexibility to substantially follow and conform to an azimuthal course defined by the natural striata of the annulus fibrosus; and supplying thermal energy from a thermal energy source to the heat transmitting region to heat the annulus fibrosus while avoiding directly heating the disc nucleus to treat pain associated with the intervertebral disc. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification