Patent ID: 9168368
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a region in the spinal canal, comprising the steps of: inserting a flexible epidural catheter into a spinal space, said catheter having at least one first electrical contact in a distal region of the catheter and a distal aperture of at least one hose line; injecting pain killing drugs to a localized region to be treated via the distal aperture of the at least one hose line; operating a pulsed radio frequency generator, the pulsed radio frequency generator being coupled to said first electrical contact; thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy via said first electrical contact to the localized region to be treated; detecting a temperature in the spinal space by a temperature sensor at the distal region of the catheter; and automatically changing at least one parameter of the pulsed radio frequency energy supplied to the localized region when a specific temperature is detected, automatically switching off or temporarily suppressing of the pulsed radio frequency energy to the localized region when an upper temperature limit of 42° C. is reached to thereby avoid thermal damage of tissue, whereby in said localized region at least one of a nerve, a nerve root, a nerve ganglion and a part of the spinal cord is treated.