Epidural thermal posterior annuloplasty
AssigneeExpanding Concepts, L.L.C.
InventorDarrell C. Brett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for thermally treating intervertebral discs includes an energy application head having an energy application region and a tissue protecting region. A control member operationally connected to the energy application head preferably controls the energy application head during treatment. The present invention also includes a method for thermally treating an intervertebral disc.
Claims20
An apparatus for thermally treating at least one intervertebral disc, comprising:
- (a) an energy application head having an energy application region and a tissue protecting region;
- and
- (b) a control member operationally connected to said energy application head, said control member suitable for controlling said energy application head during treatment of said at least one intervertebral disc.
A method for thermally treating an intervertebral disc while thermally protecting vulnerable tissues, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) gaining access to a vertebral column;
- (b) epidurally approaching the posterior aspect of said at least one intervertebral disc;
- (c) evaluating an extent of disc injury and calculating an amount of energy needed to thermally refurbish said at least one intervertebral disc;
- (d) applying energy to a posterior aspect of said at least one intervertebral disc while maintaining a safe temperature in said vulnerable tissues near said at least one intervertebral disc;
- (e) monitoring an amount of energy delivered and a temperature in said vulnerable tissues near said at least one intervertebral disc;
- (f) observing and evaluating an amount of shrinkage and strengthening of said at least one intervertebral disc to determine an intensity and duration of further energy delivery;
- and
- (g) verifying that said shrinkage and strengthening of said at least one intervertebral disc is mechanically successful.
A method for epidurally treating at least one intervertebral disc using a disc refurbisher, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) gaining access to a vertebral column;
- (b) epidurally approaching the posterior aspect of said at least one intervertebral disc;
- and
- (c) applying energy to a posterior aspect of said at least one intervertebral disc using said disc refurbisher.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.