Global Patent Index - EP 1187570 A4

EP 1187570 A4 20080409 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL TREATMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS

Title (en)

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL TREATMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS

Title (de)

SYSTEME UND VERFAHREN ZUR ELEKTROCHIRURGISCHEN BEHANDLUNG VON BANDSCHEIBEN

Title (fr)

SYSTEMES ET PROCEDES DE TRAITEMENT ELECTROCHIRURGICAL DE DISQUES INTERVERTEBRAUX

Publication

EP 1187570 A4 20080409 (EN)

Application

EP 00936062 A 20000517

Priority

  • US 0013706 W 20000517
  • US 31647299 A 19990521
  • US 20420600 P 20000512

Abstract (en)

[origin: WO0071043A1] This invention is systems, apparatus, methods for ablation, resection, aspiration, collagen shrinkage, hemostasis of tissue, other body structures in open, and endoscopic spine surgery. In particular, the present invention includes a channeling technique in which small holes or channels are formed within spinal discs, and thermal energy is applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding these holes or channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby stiffening the surrounding tissue structure for reducing the volume of the disc to relieve pressure on the surrounding nerves. High frequency voltage is applied between one or more active electrode(362), and one or more return electrode (360) to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the disc tissue. The active electrodes are advanced through the space left by the ablated tissue to form a channel, hole, divot, or other space in the disc tissue. In addition, the high frequency voltage effects a controlled depth of thermal heating of the tissue surrounding the hole to de-bulk, and/or stiffen the disc structure, thereby relieving neck or back pain.

IPC 1-7

A61B 18/14

IPC 8 full level

A61B 17/56 (2006.01); A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 19/00 (2006.01); A61F 2/02 (2006.01); A61M 1/00 (2006.01); A61M 3/02 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

A61B 18/148 (2013.01); A61B 18/1482 (2013.01); A61B 18/1485 (2013.01); A61B 18/149 (2013.01); A61B 18/1492 (2013.01); A61B 18/1206 (2013.01); A61B 18/14 (2013.01); A61B 18/1477 (2013.01); A61B 90/11 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00026 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00084 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00101 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00247 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00261 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00274 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00029 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00119 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0016 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00178 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00327 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00392 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00434 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0044 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00505 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00547 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00583 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00589 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00678 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00702 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00726 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00827 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00982 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1213 (2013.01); A61B 2018/124 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1253 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1273 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1425 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1467 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1472 (2013.01); A61B 2018/162 (2013.01); A61B 2018/165 (2013.01); A61B 2218/002 (2013.01); A61B 2218/007 (2013.01); A61F 2/2493 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Citation (examination)

WO 9942037 A1 19990826 - ARTHROCARE CORP [US]

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

DOCDB simple family (publication)

WO 0071043 A1 20001130; AU 5142900 A 20001212; EP 1187570 A1 20020320; EP 1187570 A4 20080409; JP 2003500099 A 20030107; JP 4290894 B2 20090708; MX PA01011647 A 20020730

DOCDB simple family (application)

US 0013706 W 20000517; AU 5142900 A 20000517; EP 00936062 A 20000517; JP 2000619357 A 20000517; MX PA01011647 A 20000517