Method of treating back pain with microwave sources

• US 10,603,522 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2018
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Diederich, Chris J., Lotz, Jeffrey C., Nau, Will, Bradford, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roane, Aaron F
• Application Number:
  US16/161,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20190118004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 607 96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/374 NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0021 Neural system treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/003 Destruction of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0056 Beam shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/022 intracavitary

Abstract

An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

Claims

1. A method for treating back pain of a subject, the method comprising:

forming a bore into a bony structure of a vertebral body of a spine of the subject;

inserting a distal end of an energy delivery device within the vertebral body through the bore,

wherein the energy delivery device comprises a cooling balloon;

wherein the energy delivery device comprises one or more energy sources;

activating the one or more energy sources to deliver energy to a target region within the vertebral body sufficient to denervate the target region; and

circulating cooling fluid through the energy delivery device to cool the balloon;

wherein the energy delivery device is positioned within the bony structure of the vertebral body when the one or more energy sources are activated; and

wherein the one or more energy sources comprise one or more microwave sources.

2. The method of claim 1:

wherein the step of circulating cooling fluid through the energy delivery device to cool the balloon facilitates cooling of the one or more energy sources;

wherein the energy delivery device comprises one or more temperature sensors; and

wherein the energy is sufficient to ablate nociceptive nerves within the vertebral body.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining feedback related to the treatment via a treatment feedback device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device comprises one or more temperature sensors.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device is flexible.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy is sufficient to ablate nociceptive nerves within the vertebral body.

7. A method of treating back pain of a subject, the method comprising:

positioning a treatment device within a vertebral body of a subject;

wherein the treatment device comprises a balloon;

circulating cooling fluid through the treatment device to cool the balloon; and

administering treatment to a target region within the vertebral body sufficient to denervate a nociceptive nerve located within the target region;

wherein the treatment device comprises one or more microwave sources and wherein administering treatment to the target region comprises delivering microwave energy.

8. The method of claim 7:

wherein the step of circulating cooling fluid comprises circulating cooling fluid through one or more lumens of the treatment device;

wherein the treatment device comprises one or more temperature sensors; and

wherein the microwave energy is sufficient to ablate nociceptive nerves within the vertebral body.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising obtaining feedback related to the treatment via a treatment feedback device.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the treatment device comprises one or more temperature sensors.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising inflating the balloon.

12. A method of treating back pain of a subject, the method comprising:

positioning a treatment device within a vertebral body adjacent to a spinal joint of a subject;

wherein the treatment device comprises a balloon;

circulating cooling fluid through the treatment device to cool the balloon; and

administering treatment to a nerve associated with the spinal joint;

wherein the treatment device comprises one or more microwave sources and wherein administering treatment to the nerve comprises delivering microwave energy.

13. The method of claim 12:

wherein the step of circulating cooling fluid comprises circulating cooling fluid through one or more lumens of the treatment device;

wherein the treatment device comprises one or more temperature sensors; and

wherein the microwave energy is sufficient to ablate the nerve.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising obtaining feedback related to the treatment via a treatment feedback device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the treatment device comprises one or more temperature sensors.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising inflating the balloon.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the nerve is within a vertebral body.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the nerve is external to a vertebral body.