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Disc therapy

  • US 9,950,156 B2
  • Filed: 09/13/2016
  • Issued: 04/24/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

  • at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface, which is configured to be implanted in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc;

    a plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc; and

    control circuitry, which is (a) electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, (b) configured to separately control at least two of the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, and (c) configured to;

    repeatedly assume a pressure-increasing mode of operation in alternation with an oxygen-generating mode of operation,in the pressure-increasing mode of operation, (a) configure the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface to be a cathode, and one or more of the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more respective anodes, and (b) electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus to increase pressure in the intervertebral disc, by applying a first mean voltage of less than 1.23 V between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more of the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, andin the oxygen-generating mode of operation, (a) configure the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface to be an anode, and the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be a respective plurality of cathodes, and (b) generate oxygen within the nucleus pulposus by electrolysis, by applying a second mean voltage of at least 1.23 V between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces.

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