Martin D Reynolds

US Patent:

6503269, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Jun 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878238

Inventors:

Scott A. Nield - Reading OH 45215
Ronald J. Kolata - Cincinnati OH 45249
Martin A. Reynolds - Mansfield MA 02048
Paul G. Ritchie - Loveland OH 45140
Julianne M. Siegel - Cincinnati OH 45238

International Classification:

A61N 5067

US Classification:

607 89, 606 10, 606 14

Abstract:

A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus, inserting a light source into the intervertebral disc, activating the light source to emit diffuse light, optically measuring the temperature of tissue near the light source, and modifying the intensity of the light emitted from the source according to the measured temperature.

US Patent:

6562028, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Jun 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878372

Inventors:

Scott A. Nield - Reading OH
Ronald J. Kolata - Cincinnati OH
Martin J. Reynolds - Mansfield MA
Paul G. Ritchie - Loveland OH
Julianne M. Siegel - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

Indigo Medical, Incorporated - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61B 1820

US Classification:

606 15, 606 13, 606 14, 606 16, 607 89

Abstract:

A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus of an intervertebral disc while avoiding the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, inserting a light-emitting diffuser into the annulus, and activating the light-emitting diffuser to emit diffuse light while maintaining the light-emitting diffuser within the access channel to raise the temperature of the annulus to a value sufficient to cause a change in the characteristics of the annulus.