Thermal coagulation using hyperconductive fluids

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus having an outer wall, comprising the steps of:

• a) inserting a first electrode into the disc, and
• b) placing a second electrode adjacent the outer wall of the annulus fibrosus, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the first and second electrode to generate a current therebetween.

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebal disc having an annulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an energy device having an active electrode and a return electrode,
• b) positioning the device adjacent the annulus fibrosus, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes to generate a current therebetween to raise the temperature of a volume within the annulus fibrosus to at least 45° C. in less than one minute.

The method of claim 64 wherein the volume is located within the annulus fibrosus at a depth of at least 5 mm.

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebal disc having an annulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an energy device having an active electrode and a return electrode,
• b) positioning the device adjacent the annulus fibrosus, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes to generate a current therebetween and raise the temperature of a volume located within the annulus fibrosus at a depth of more than 5 mm to at least 45° C.

An instrument for therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus, comprising:

• a) a first catheter adapted to penetrate the annulus fibrosus and having a first electrode, and
• b) a second catheter adapted to contact an outer wall of the annulus fibrosus and having a second electrode.

An instrument for therapeutically treating an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosus, comprising an active electrode and a return electrode, wherein the active and return electrodes are separated to define a spacing of between 5.1 mm and 15 mm.

A method of therapeutically treating a fissure in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the fissure having a mouth and a width, and defining first and second adjacent collagen tissue regions, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an energy device having an active electrode and a return electrode, the electrodes being spaced at a first distance, the first distance being greater than the width of the fissure,
• b) positioning the device at the mouth of the fissure so that the active electrode is adjacent the first sidewall of the fissure and the second electrode is adjacent the second sidewall of the fissure, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes to generate a current therebetween flowing from the first sidewall through the width of the fissure and into second sidewall and resistively heat the first and second adjacent collagen tissue regions to therapeutically treat the tissue regions.

A method of therapeutically treating a fissure in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the fissure disposed between annulus plies and having first and second ends defining a length, and defining first and second adjacent collagen tissue regions, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an energy device having an active electrode and a return electrode, the electrodes being spaced at a first distance, the first distance being substantially similar to the length of the fissure,
• b) positioning the device upon an inner wall of the annulus fibrosus so that the active electrode is adjacent a first end of the fissure and the second electrode is adjacent the second end of the fissure, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes to generate a current therebetween flowing from the active electrode through the length of the fissure and into return electrode.

A method of therapeutically treating a herniation in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the herniation having a mouth and first and second ends defining a diameter and a periphery, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an energy device having an active electrode and a return electrode,
• b) positioning the device at the mouth of the fissure so that the active electrode is adjacent the first end of the herniation and the second electrode is adjacent the second endl of the herniation, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes to generate a current therebetween flowing from the first end of the herniation along the periphery of the herniation to the second end of the herniation.

A method of therapeutically treating a fissure in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the fissure having a mouth and a width, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a bipolar device having an active electrode and a return electrode, the electrodes being spaced at a first distance, the first distance being less than than the width of the fissure,
• b) positioning the device adjacent the mouth of the fissure, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the first and second electrode to generate a current therebetween flowing substantially only within the fissure and preferentially heating the HCF to therapeutically treat the tissue adjacent the fissure.

A method of therapeutically treating a target tissue within an intervertebral disc, comprising the sequential steps of:

• a) directing an electrically conductive fluid to the target tissue, and
• b) passing a current through the conductive fluid to resistively heat the conductive fluid.

A method of therapeutically treating a target tissue within an intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of:

• a) removing a portion of the nucleus pulposus, and
• b) injecting an electrically conductive fluid into the nucleus pulposus.

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebal disc having an annulus fibrosus having a fissure defining first and second closely adjacent collagen tissue regions, comprising the steps of:

• a) adding a hyperconductive fluid to the fissure,
• b) positioning a first electrode adjacent to the hyperconductive fluid, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate a current flowing preferentially through the hyperconductive fluid.

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebal disc having an annulus fibrosus having a fissure defining first and second closely adjacent collagen tissue regions, comprising the steps of:

• a) adding a hyperconductive fluid to the fissure,
• b) positioning a first electrode adjacent to the hyperconductive fluid, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate an increased current flowing through the hyperconductive fluid to preferentially resistively heat the hyperconductive fluid.

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebal disc having an annulus fibrosus having a fissure defining first and second adjacent collagen tissue regions, comprising the steps of:

• a) adding a hyperconductive fluid to the fissure,
• b) positioning a first electrode adjacent to the hyperconductive fluid, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate an increased current flowing through the adjacent collagen tissue regions.

A method of therapeutically treating an intervertebal disc having an annulus fibrosus having a fissure defining first and second adjacent collagen tissue regions having open porosity, comprising the steps of:

• a) adding a hyperconductive fluid to the fissure and the open porosity of the adjacent collagen tissue regions,
• b) positioning a first electrode adjacent to the hyperconductive fluid, and
• c) applying a sufficiently high frequency voltage difference between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate an current flowing substantially only through the fissure and the open porosity of the adjacent collagen tissue regions.

A method of increasing the electrical conductivity of a fissure in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, comprising the step of:

• a) adding a hyperconductive fluid to the fissure.