Patent ID: 7069087
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for accessing a selected section of an intervertebral disc comprising: a catheter having a lumen; and a guide wire having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and configured to be positioned within and moved relative to the lumen of the catheter, wherein the guide wire is capable of navigating itself within an intradiscal section of an intervertebral disc to a selected section of the disc and the catheter is capable of being advanced relative to the guide wire such that the catheter follows a path of the guide wire within the intradiscal section of the disc adjacent an inner wall of an annulus of the disc to the selected section, wherein the guide wire has (a) sufficient rigidity to be advanceable through a nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus under a force applied longitudinally to the proximal portion of the guide wire, and (b) insufficient penetration ability to be advanceable out through the annulus fibrosus under the applied force.