METHOD FOR APPLYING PULSED RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY TO THE SPINAL CANAL

摘要

A flexible catheter includes two electrical contacts in a distal region of the catheter and a distal aperture of a hose line. The electrical contacts are connected to a high frequency pulse generator for applying pulsed radio frequency energy for nerve stimulation. A temperature sensor is located in the distal region of the catheter. The flexible catheter is inserted into a region in the spinal canal and the pulsed radio frequency generator is operated, thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a localized region to be treated. The temperature at the distal region of the catheter can also be monitored, and the pulsed radio frequency energy is applied in dependence on the monitored temperature. With the catheter, pain and other medical conditions being related to and influenced by a nervous system are treated.

主权项

1. A method for applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a region in the spinal canal, comprising the steps of:
inserting a flexible epidural catheter into a spinal space, said catheter having at least one first electrical contact in a distal region of the catheter; operating a pulsed radio frequency generator, the pulsed radio frequency generator being coupled to said first electrical contact; thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy via said first electrical contact to a localized region to be treated; detecting a temperature in the spinal space by a temperature sensor at the distal region of the catheter; automatically changing at least one parameter of the pulsed radio frequency energy supplied to the localized region when a specific temperature is detected, automatically switching off or temporarily suppressing of the pulsed radio frequency energy to the localized region when an upper temperature limit is reached to thereby avoid thermal damage to tissue, and whereby in said localized region at least one of a nerve, nerve root, a nerve ganglion and a part of the spinal cord is treated.