Non-piercing Intervertebral Disc Treatment via External RF Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for treating intervertebral discs often result in disc deterioration due to the need to penetrate the disc, which can lead to further complications and degeneration.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for treating intervertebral discs without piercing them, using energy-based treatments applied externally to modify the disc's properties, such as shrinking or reshaping, through non-penetrating electrodes and energy delivery systems like RF energy, while monitoring temperature for controlled energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional piercing techniques are used to treat intervertebral discs, then direct access to target tissue is achieved, but disc deterioration and further complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the disc's own exterior surface as an intermediary medium to transmit energy to the target tissue. Instead of piercing through the disc, the treatment element contacts the exterior surface and delivers energy (such as RF energy) that penetrates through the annulus fibrosus to reach the nucleus pulposus or other target tissue, thereby avoiding direct piercing while still achieving treatment access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical piercing with energy-based treatment. Instead of using mechanical force to penetrate and access the target tissue, the system uses energy fields (radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, or laser energy) that can penetrate the disc tissue from the exterior surface, substituting a non-mechanical approach for the traditional mechanical piercing method
2Reliability
If energy-based treatment is applied externally without piercing, then disc deterioration is avoided, but energy delivery control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensing capability that provides real-time feedback during energy delivery. The system monitors the temperature of the target tissue or surrounding tissue and uses this feedback to automatically adjust or terminate energy delivery, preventing overheating and ensuring safe treatment while simplifying the control process
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts energy delivery parameters based on real-time conditions. The treatment element can modulate the energy output in response to tissue characteristics, temperature feedback, and treatment progression, allowing adaptive control that simplifies the overall process while maintaining safety and effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple treatment elements are used to treat different sites, then comprehensive disc treatment is achieved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal treatment element that can treat multiple different sites and conditions within the intervertebral disc. The same treatment element can be applied to different locations on the disc exterior and deliver energy to various target tissues, eliminating the need for multiple specialized instruments and simplifying the overall procedure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for effective modification of disc tissue without causing deterioration, enabling targeted treatment of bulging or herniated discs while minimizing damage to the disc, thereby providing a safer and more effective treatment option.
Implementation Method 1
applying an energy-based treatment to the exterior of the intervertebral disc to modify a property of a target tissue of the intervertebral disc... Any suitable form of energy may be used, according to various embodiments, such as but not limited to ultrasound, microwave, heat, radio frequency
Implementation Method 2
The transmitted energy is radio frequency energy... Some embodiments may further involve cooling the target tissue and/or the exterior of the intervertebral disc before, during, or after delivering the radio frequency energy
Implementation Method 3
applying the energy-based treatment involves transmitting energy from the first treatment element to the second treatment element
Implementation Method 4
Some embodiments may further involve cooling the target tissue and/or the exterior of the intervertebral disc before, during, or after delivering the radio frequency energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating an intervertebral disc without piercing the disc involves navigating a treatment element to the intervertebral disc and contacting the treatment element with an exterior of the intervertebral disc. The method further involves applying an energy-based treatment to the exterior of the intervertebral disc to modify a property of a target tissue of the intervertebral disc. The target tissue may be, for example, annulus fibrosus and/or nucleus pulposus tissue. The treatment element is then removed, and the property remains modified after the treatment element is removed and the target tissue heals, thereby treating the intervertebral disc.