31 results about "Discogenic pain" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for treating an intervertebral disc by ablation of disc tissue. A method of the invention includes positioning at least one active electrode within the intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s), wherein the volume of the nucleus pulposus is decreased, pressure exerted by the nucleus pulposus on the annulus fibrosus is reduced, and discogenic pain of a patient is alleviated. In other embodiments, a curved or steerable probe is guided to a specific target site within a disc to be treated, and the disc tissue at the target site is ablated by application of at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s). A method of making an electrosurgical probe is also disclosed.

Apparatus and methods for advancing and retracting a medical instrument within an introducer device, wherein the instrument includes a distal tip, a distal linear portion, a first distal curve, a substantially linear inter-curve portion, and a second proximal curve. The length of the distal linear portion and the angle of the first curve determine the position of the distal tip within a lumen of the introducer device, such that the distal tip occupies a substantially central transverse location within the lumen and the distal tip avoids contact with the introducer device. The length of the inter-curve portion and the angle of the second curve determine deflection of the distal tip from a longitudinal axis of the shaft when the second curve is extended distally beyond a distal end of the introducer device. Also, methods and apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc by ablation of disc tissue. A method of the invention includes positioning at least one active electrode within the intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s), wherein the volume of the nucleus pulposus is decreased, pressure exerted by the nucleus pulposus on the annulus fibrosus is reduced, and discogenic pain of a patient is alleviated. In other embodiments, a curved or steerable probe is guided to a specific target site within a disc to be treated, and the disc tissue at the target site is ablated by application of at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s). A method of making an electrosurgical probe is also disclosed.

A saddle-shaped compression device and methods of fastening a dysfunctional intervertebral disc are used to (1) compress a protrusion to alleviate nerve impingement, (2) fortify the annulus to stabilize a motion segment, (3) minimize the inward/outward bulging and delamination of the annulus, (4) atrophy the nerve to treat discogenic pain, (5) correct the curvature of spinal deformities, (6) elevate the disc space to treat spinal stenosis, and (7) seal the seepage of nucleus pulposus from a herniated disc.

Apparatus and methods for treating an inter-vertebral disc by ablation, coagulation, shrinking, stiffening, or other treatment of disc tissue. A method of the invention includes positioning at least one active electrode within the inter-vertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s), wherein the volume of the nucleus pulposus is decreased, pressure exerted by the nucleus pulposus on the annulus fibrosus is reduced, and discogenic pain of a patient is alleviated. An apparatus of the invention includes an electrosurgical probe, an introducer needle adapted for passing the distal end of the probe therethrough, and a positioning unit for monitoring a position of the probe in relation to the introducer needle.

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain of a patient by denervation of an intervertebral disc or a region of the posterior longitudinal ligament by the controlled application of heat to a target tissue. In one embodiment, the invention may include a procedure combining both decompression of a disc, and denervation of the annulus fibrosus. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes positioning an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument in at least close proximity to an intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein nervous tissue within the annulus fibrosus is inactivated, and discogenic pain of the patient is alleviated. In one embodiment, the invention includes positioning a first electrode of a dual-shaft electrosurgical instrument at a first location in relation to a target disc, positioning a second electrode of the instrument at a second location, and applying a high frequency voltage between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on separate shafts of the instrument.

The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disk includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disk. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disk, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

The present invention provides methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and treatment of spinal-related pain, e.g., radiculopathic pain, facet pain and discogenic pain. Cytokine biomarkers, e.g., IFNγ can be used to diagnose spine-related injury. It is also a finding of the present invention that spinal-related pain can be alleviated by administering therapeutic agents to the site of diagnostic presence of the cytokine biomarker. This invention further provides methods for extraction of samples from the spine, e.g., disc space samples, epidural samples and facet joint samples.

The invention provides a method for alleviating discogenic pain by administering a therapeutic agent that disrupts neuronal and/or vascular elements in the disc, which is typically a degenerated disc. Disruption of neuronal elements in the disc includes destroying nerve endings without substantially affecting the central body of the nerve, suppressing activation of the nerve endings, and inhibiting the growth of nerve endings into the disc. Disruption of vascular elements includes causing the vascular extensions to retract from the disc, or suppressing the formation of such extensions. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally via an interbody pump, a bolus or a depot, or may be administered systemically.

The present invention relates to a probe and a device for detecting abnormality of an intervertebral disc. More particularly, the present invention relates to a probe and a device for detecting abnormality of an intervertebral disc that gives vibration stimulation to the inner part of the intervertebral disc and obtains an ultrasonic image in order to sense the abnormality of the intervertebral disc causing discogenic pains and inspects whether the intervertebral disc is abnormal by measuring impedance in the intervertebral disc.

The present invention provides a probe for detecting abnormality of an intervertebral disc including: a shaft connector; a vibration generator connected to the shaft connector; and an inspector connected to the vibration generator, wherein the vibration generator vibrates the inspector by using a piezoelectric element and a device for detecting abnormality of an intervertebral disc.

A method for treating a patient having discogenic pain includes implanting a neurostimulation lead within an anterior portion of the epidural space adjacent to the posterior longitudinal ligament. A plurality of electrodes is attached to the lead and the lead is implanted with at least a portion of the electrodes facing the posterior longitudinal ligament. The lead may be implanted in the lumbar region of the patient's spine, posterior and parallel to the posterior longitudinal ligament. Electrical stimulation energy applied to the patient through the electrode lead implanted in this manner inhibits the pain signals traveling within the posterior longitudinal ligament. Thus, the applied electrical stimulation energy has an anesthetic effect on the pain fibers adjacent to the posterior longitudinal ligament.

The invention discloses application of an inhibitor in preparation of a medicine for treating discogenic pain and a medicine composition. The pharmaceutical composition is a beta-catenin protein and TCF7 transcription factor binding inhibitor and/or a Wnt/beta-catenin signal channel inhibitor. In combination with data of an embodiment part, the beta-catenin protein and TCF7 transcription factor binding inhibitor and/or the Wnt/beta-catenin signal channel inhibitor can achieve the effect of treating the discogenic pain based on the inhibition of the Wnt/beta-catenin signal channel.