Patent ID: 6126682
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
A method of treating an annular fissure in an intervetebral disc comprising:providing a catheter having an intradiscal section with at least one functional element adjacent a distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for externally guiding the distal end of the catheter within an intervertebral disc;positioning the functional element adjacent the annular fissure by 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; andusing the functional element to treat the annular fissure.