Method and apparatus for heating an intervertebral disc for relief of back pain

摘要

The present invention relates to a technique of relieving back pain by heating of an intervertebral disc. The heating is illustrated by a percutaneous technique where a needle or electrode is inserted into the disc under X-ray or other imaging control and subsequently used to elevate the temperature of the disc. Above a certain temperature, the innervation related to the disc is destroyed to the point that back pain related to that innervation can also be eliminated. Specific examples of methods and apparatus to achieve such disc heating are given. Among the methods are use of radiofrequency heating and direct current heating, use of stimulation and impedance monitoring to improve target control, and the use of temperature monitoring to determine and quantify the appropriate disc temperature to achieve the desired clinical results.