Patent ID: 8152796
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for performing lumbar and cervical disc nucleus vaporization using laser energy, comprising: a needle assembly including an elongated hollow needle of predetermined interior diameter having an open proximal end and an open distal end and a translucent needle hub to which said proximal end of said needle is rigidly secured including a chamber in fluid communication with said open proximal end of said needle and having an opening adapted for communication with the atmosphere, a needle stylette removable from said needle, a variable intensity and variable duration laser delivery system including an optical fiber having a exterior diameter smaller than the interior diameter of said hollow needle so as to be insertable through the interior of said hollow needle, and so as to allow for vapor passage, and an adjustable optical fiber depth limiting device operable to select the length of optical fiber extending from said distal end of said needle and a saline solution in said chamber of said needle hub through which bubbles of vapor created by laser vaporization of said nucleus pass and are visibly observable by an attendant physician.