Disc therapy
First Claim
1. A method of treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, comprising:
- implanting, within a nucleus pulposus of the disc, at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces at different respective locations;
implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the disc; and
activating control circuitry to;
configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more anodes, anddrive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus to increase pressure in the disc.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of treating an intervertebral disc of a subject is provided, comprising implanting, within a nucleus pulposus of the disc, at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces at different respective locations; and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the disc. Control circuitry is activated to configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more anodes, and to drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus to increase pressure in the disc. Other embodiments are also described.
97 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, comprising:
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implanting, within a nucleus pulposus of the disc, at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces at different respective locations; implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the disc; and activating control circuitry to; configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more anodes, and drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus to increase pressure in the disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification