Methods and apparatus for treating intervertebral discs
View Patent ↗Apparatus and methods for treating a target tissue by delivering a fluid at a defined temperature to a patient's body. An apparatus of the invention includes a fluid delivery unit for delivering fluid in at least close proximity to the target tissue, an aspiration unit for withdrawing the fluid, and a fluid source unit for providing the fluid at the defined temperature. A method of the invention includes forming a void in at least close proximity to the target tissue, and circulating a preheated fluid through the void, wherein the target tissue undergoes adjustment from body temperature to a treatment temperature due to heat exchange between the fluid and the target tissue.
1. A method for treating a target tissue within an intervertebral disc, comprising:
a) forming a void in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and
b) delivering a preheated fluid to the void, wherein the fluid is preheated to a temperature in the range of from about 45° C. to 90° C., and at least a portion of the target tissue undergoes contraction due to heat exchange between the target tissue and the fluid.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the target tissue is increased to a treatment temperature due to the heat exchange between the target tissue and the preheated fluid, wherein the treatment temperature is in the range of from about 45° C. to 90° C.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the treatment temperature is in the range of from about 60° C. to 70° C.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue comprises nucleus pulposus tissue.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue lies adjacent to the annulus fibrosus.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue lies adjacent to an annular fissure of the disc.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step a) comprises ablating disc tissue components using an electrosurgical probe.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
c) prior to said step b), manipulating the electrosurgical probe such that the void is sculpted to a suitable size and shape.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said step b) comprises delivering the preheated fluid to the void via a fluid delivery unit, wherein the fluid delivery unit is integral with the electrosurgical probe.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said step b) comprises delivering the preheated fluid to the void via a fluid delivery system, wherein the fluid delivery system is separate from the electrosurgical probe.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step b) comprises delivering saline to the void, the saline at a temperature in the range of from about 60° C. to 70° C.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step b) comprises delivering the preheated fluid to the void at a regulated rate, and the method further comprises:
d) withdrawing the fluid from the void, whereby the fluid is circulated through the void at a substantially constant temperature.
13. A method for treating an intervertebral disc, comprising:
a) forming a void in at least close proximity to a target tissue within the intervertebral disc; and
b) delivering a preheated fluid to the void, wherein at least a portion of the target tissue is heated to a temperature in the range of from about 45° C. to 90° C., whereby collagen fibers within the target tissue undergo shrinkage.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the target tissue is heated to a temperature in the range of from about 60° C. to 70° C.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the target tissue is heated via heat exchange between the preheated fluid and the target tissue.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said step a) comprises forming a void in the nucleus pulposus.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein said step a) comprises:
c) positioning an active electrode terminal of an electrosurgical probe within the disc at a location in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and
d) applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode terminal and a return electrode.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
e) during said step d), manipulating the electrosurgical probe such that the void is sculpted to a suitable size and shape.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein said step b) comprises delivering the preheated fluid to the void via a fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system separate from the electrosurgical probe.