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:
Nov. 11, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2005
Ronald A. Underwood, Belmont, CA (US);
Terry S. Davison, Redwood City, CA (US);
Hira V. Thapliyal, Los Altos, CA (US);
Philip E. Eggers, Dublin, OH (US);
Ronald A. Underwood, Belmont, CA (US);
Terry S. Davison, Redwood City, CA (US);
Hira V. Thapliyal, Los Altos, CA (US);
Philip E. Eggers, Dublin, OH (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 to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for treating herniated or swollen discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve.