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AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsChris J. Diederich, Jeffrey C. Lotz, Will H. Nau, JR., David S. Bradford
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A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly effected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieves other responses without appreciable remodeling.
1-122. (canceled)
A method for providing long-term thermal therapy to a patient, comprising:
A method for providing thermal therapy to a patient, comprising:
A method for providing thermal therapy to a patient, comprising:
An energy delivery system for providing long term treatment to a region of tissue associated with a skeletal joint, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.