Patent ID: 7660634

Claim:
A method for treating intervertebral disc ailments, said method comprising: inserting an introducer needle into the disc to be treated; introducing a combined electrical and chemical stimulation device through said introducer needle and into the disc, said device comprising: a stimulation lead having an elongate, tubular configuration, and a central lumen extending therethrough; a plurality of infusion ports formed on said stimulation lead and communicating with said central lumen, said infusion ports enabling infusion of chemical/nutrients from the central lumen to tissue located exterior of said stimulation lead; a plurality of electrodes positioned on said stimulation lead adjacent said infusion ports, said electrodes communicating with a source of electrical energy for providing electrical/thermal stimulation of tissue adjacent said electrodes, at least one of said infusion ports being located between two adjacent electrodes of said plurality of electrodes, and wherein said stimulation lead has a bend incorporated adjacent a distal end thereof; maneuvering the stimulation lead through the disc in an arcuate pattern wherein the distal portion of said stimulation lead is placed adjacent the tissue to be treated; inserting an electrical stimulation source into the patient, the electrical stimulation source communicating with said stimulation lead to generate electrical pulses for energizing said electrodes and to deliver electrical/thermal energy to target tissue; and inserting a chemical stimulation source into the patient, said chemical stimulation source communicating with said stimulation lead to provide chemical/nutrients through said central lumen and through said infusion ports thereby delivering chemical/nutrients to the target tissue.