Patent ID: 7819826

Claim:
An ultrasound energy delivery system for providing long term treatment to a region of tissue associated with a skeletal joint, comprising: a long-term implantable ultrasound treatment assembly with an ultrasound transducer; and a skeletal joint delivery assembly that is adapted to deliver the ultrasound treatment assembly into the body with the ultrasound transducer positioned at a location within the body associated with the skeletal joint; wherein the ultrasound treatment assembly is adapted to provide long-term delivery of a therapeutic level of ultrasound energy from the location and into the region of tissue; said therapeutic level of ultrasound energy being sufficient to denervate a nociceptive nerve at said region of tissue; wherein the skeletal joint delivery assembly comprises a needle; wherein the ultrasound treatment assembly is adapted to be delivered through the needle to the location; and wherein the needle is configured to be delivered through bone to the location.