Method of treating intervertebral discs using optical energy and optical temperature feedback
US6503269B2 · kind B2 · utility
73Cited by
52References
22Claims
0Family size
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/2261
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus, inserting a light source into the intervertebral disc, activating the light source to emit diffuse light, optically measuring the temperature of tissue near the light source, and modifying the intensity of the light emitted from the source according to the measured temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.