Intervertebral disc replacement method
US7104986B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0158
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for removing a vertebral disc in preparation for implanting a prosthetic disc or removing a portion of the vertebral disc such as the nucleus pulposus in preparation for placing a prosthetic nucleus within the annulus of the disc. The present invention also teaches shrinking residual tissue in preparation for placing the implants.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.