Spinal diagnostic methods and apparatus
US7452351B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/3488
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiments, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a sources of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.