Patent ID: 6095149
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising:providing a catheter having an intradiscal section with at least one energy delivery device adjacent a distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for externally guiding the distal end of the catheter within an intevertebral disc;positioning the energy delivery device at a selected location of the annulus by applying a force longitudinally to the proximal end of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through a 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; andcausing the energy delivery device to supply sufficient energy to the selected location to stiffen the annulus.