Method for treating intervertebral discs
US7896909B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0163
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of treating an annular fissure in an intervertebral disc includes providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis, the distal end having an intradiscal section with at least one functional element, applying a force longitudinally to the proximal end of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient for the intradiscal section to puncture the annulus fibrosus, positioning the functional element at the selected location of the disc by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter, and using the functional element to treat the annular fissure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.