# US 12,005,252 B2 · Disc therapy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,252 B2 - Document ID: US12005252B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/689,528 - Filed: 2022-03-08 - Published: 2022-06-23 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-29 - Assignees: Discure Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: Discure Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Yossi Gross; Gideon Fostick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005252B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/205: {for promoting a biological process} - A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes} - A61N 1/306: {Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body} - A61N 1/325: {for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body (electrodes for external use A61N1/0428)} - A61N 1/326: {for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells} - A61N 1/327: {for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation} - A61N 1/36062: {Spinal stimulation} - A61N 1/36132: {using patient feedback} - A61N 1/37205: {Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula} - A61N 1/37518: {Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A method for treating a herniated intervertebral disc is provided, the method including implanting an electrode mount crossing an annulus fibrosus of the herniated intervertebral disc of a subject, such that the electrode mount holds at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in a nucleus pulposus of the herniated intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is activated to treat disc herniation by creating an electric potential difference between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces implanted outside the nucleus pulposus in electrical communication with the herniated intervertebral disc. Other embodiments are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating a herniated intervertebral disc of a subject, the method comprising: implanting an electrode mount crossing an annulus fibrosus of the herniated intervertebral disc of a subject, such that the electrode mount holds at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in a nucleus pulposus of the herniated intervertebral disc; and activating control circuitry to treat disc herniation by creating an electric potential difference between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces implanted outside the nucleus pulposus in electrical communication with the herniated intervertebral disc. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein implanting the electrode mount comprises implanting the electrode mount crossing the annulus fibrosus, such that the electrode mount holds the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in the nucleus pulposus close to a zone of the disc herniation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein implanting the electrode mount comprises implanting the electrode mount crossing the annulus fibrosus, such that the electrode mount holds the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces in place outside the nucleus pulposus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein implanting the electrode mount comprises implanting the electrode mount crossing the annulus fibrosus, such that the electrode mount holds the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces in place immediately outside the disc herniation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode mount is shaped as a rivet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the rivet is shaped as a two-headed rivet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein activating the control circuitry comprises activating the control circuitry to treat the disc herniation by creating the electric potential difference by driving direct current between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein activating the control circuitry comprises activating the control circuitry to configure the electric potential difference to reduce pressure in the herniated intervertebral disc by driving fluid from the nucleus pulposus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein activating the control circuitry comprises activating the control circuitry to configure the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface to be an anode, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more respective cathodes. ### Claim 10 Apparatus for treating a herniated 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 herniated intervertebral disc; one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the herniated intervertebral disc; an electrode mount, which is configured to be implanted crossing an annulus fibrosus of the herniated intervertebral disc, and which is configured to hold the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in the nucleus pulposus; and control circuitry, which is (a) electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, and (b) configured to treat disc herniation by creating an electric potential difference between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electrode mount is configured to hold the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in the nucleus pulposus close to a zone of the disc herniation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electrode mount is configured to hold the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces in place outside the nucleus pulposus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the electrode mount is configured to hold the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces in place immediately outside the disc herniation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electrode mount is shaped as a rivet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the rivet is shaped as a two-headed rivet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is configured to treat the disc herniation by creating the electric potential difference by driving direct current between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is configured to configure the electric potential difference to reduce pressure in the herniated intervertebral disc by driving fluid from the nucleus pulposus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is configured to configure the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface to be an anode, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more respective cathodes.