Patent ID: 8708993

Claim:
A method of treating inflammation in the epidural space of a patient, the method comprising: providing an infusion pump; accessing the epidural space of a patient with a needle; maneuvering a catheter having radiopaque markers into the epidural space through the needle; positioning the catheter within an inflamed region of the epidural space, wherein the positioning comprises viewing the radiopaque markers under fluoroscopy and injecting a radiopaque contrast media through the catheter and into the epidural space under fluoroscopy; injecting a bolus dose of an anti-inflammatory agent into the epidural space through the catheter; connecting the infusion pump to the catheter after the injection of the bolus dose; securing the catheter to the patient to reduce the risk of any motion of the catheter; and delivering a quantity of an anti-inflammatory agent from the infusion pump to the inflamed region of the epidural space through the catheter continuously over a period of time, wherein the volume of a fluid containing the anti-inflammatory agent delivered continuously over the period of time is greater than the volume of fluid containing the anti-inflammatory agent delivered in the bolus dose.