Patent ID: 7309336
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A device for delivering energy to an intervertebral disc, the device comprising a catheter including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including a terminus, the catheter further including: a handle at the proximal portion; a probe at the distal portion; an energy delivery device located at the distal portion of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the intervertebral disc; and an activation element located at the distal portion of the catheter that enables at least a portion of the probe and the terminus to adopt an arcuate shape within the intervertebral disc such that with the terminus introduced via a posterior lateral approach into the intervertebral disc, the arcuate-shaped portion of the probe is positionable to reside along at least about a half-circumference of the intervertebral disc substantially coplanar with an interdiscal plane defined by the intervertebral disc.