Intra annular ultrasound disc apparatus and method
OwnerRalph C. Marcove, Philip R. Casson +1inventors
InventorsRalph C. Marcove, Philip R. Casson, Charles D. Kelman
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Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for treating herniated discs involving the preliminary intra annular ultrasonic softening of the herniated disc portions to be removed with a discectomy instrument that suctions and cuts the softened portions of the herniated disc. An ultrasonic probe is inserted into the central region of the disc to soften the desired region. A discectomy instrument is subsequently inserted into the softened portion of the disc and tissue is removed by suctioning the softened tissue portion into the tip of the instrument needle and severing the suctioned portion of the disc within the tip of the needle. The cut material is then aspirated.
Claims10
A method of treating a herniated disc comprising the steps of:
- inserting the tip of a first instrument into the central region of a herniated disc to be treated;
- ultrasonically vibrating said tip of said first instrument to soften the central region of the disc;
- removing said tip of said first instrument from the central region;
- inserting the tip of a second instrument into the softened portion of the central region of the herniated disc, said tip of said second instrument having an interior lumen;
- suctioning a portion of the previously softened disc portion into said interior lumen of said second instrument;
- severing the suctioned portion in the interior lumen from the remaining portion of the disc;
- removing the severed portion through said interior lumen of said second instrument;
- and
- removing said tip of said second instrument from the softened central region of the disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.