Epidural thermal posterior annuloplasty

An energy application device, said device comprising:

• (a) an energy application head having an energy application region and a tissue protecting region;
• (b) a distance between said energy application region and said tissue protecting region;
• (c) said energy application head having a contracted state in which said distance is a minimum distance;
• (d) said energy application head having an expanded state in which said distance is a protecting distance greater than said minimum distance;
• and
• (e) means for varying said distance between said minimum distance and said protecting distance.

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 with an energy application head having an energy application region, a tissue protecting region, and a distance defined between said energy application region and said tissue protecting region;
• (c) varying said distance to protect tissue associated with said at least one intervertebral disc to maintain a safe temperature in vulnerable tissues near said at least one intervertebral disc;
• and
• (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.