Patent ID: 8292815

Claim:
A minimally invasive applicator device for treatment of a region of intervertebral disc tissue, comprising: an insertion device having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the intervertebral disc tissue, the insertion device being structurally robust for direct insertion into a targeted area of intervertebral disc tissue without damage or misalignment; an ultrasound transducer device coupled to the distal end of the applicator wherein the ultrasound transducer device includes a flexible array of a plurality of transducer crystals which are all aligned along a line defined by an axis enclosed by each of the plurality of transducer crystals disposed sequentially and longitudinally adjacent each other along the axis to form a customized flexible array along the applicator device, thereby enabling ultrasound radiative output treatment outward from the axis of the transducer crystals of an extended region of specific size and shape of the intervertebral disc tissue; a guidewire coupled to the applicator device, wherein the applicator device is flexible via the guidewire and can be directed by the guidewire in a specific direction within the intervertebral disc tissue to adapt to a shape of the intervertebral disc tissue; and an external RF power generator electrically connected to the ultrasound transducer device, the generator providing power to the ultrasound transducer device.