The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 15, 2008
Filed:
May. 13, 2003
Lewis Sharps, Bryn Mawr, PA (US);
David C. Hovda, Mountain View, CA (US);
Brian Martini, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Maria Ellsberry, Fremont, CA (US);
Lewis Sharps, Bryn Mawr, PA (US);
David C. Hovda, Mountain View, CA (US);
Brian Martini, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Maria Ellsberry, Fremont, CA (US);
ArthroCare Corporation, Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid or saline-rich tissue to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for contracting a portion of the nucleus pulposus of a vertebral disc by applying a high frequency voltage between an active electrode and a return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus, where contraction of the portion of nucleus pulposus inhibits migration of the portion nucleus pulposus through the fissure.