Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120029411 | CARPAL TUNNEL DRAINAGE - A procedure for treating carpal tunnel syndrome can involve aspirating one or more of the flexor tendons running through the carpal tunnel to reduce swelling, and hence reduce the cross-sectional area of those flexor tendons. As a result, the median nerve also running through the carpal tunnel is less constricted, and the CTS symptoms associated with such constriction can be relieved. Such relief can be enhanced by delivery of one or more therapeutic substances to the area to provide additional or supplemental symptom treatment. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029543 | TISSUE STRUCTURE PERFORATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A surgical treatment can involve creating a pattern of perforations in a tissue structure to allow lengthening of that tissue structure. For example, a pattern of perforations can be created in the transverse carpal ligament of a patient suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) that allows the carpal ligament to lengthen slightly. This lengthening can relieve pressure on the median nerve, thereby reducing the symptoms of CTS while maintaining the structural integrity of the wrist. A surgical instrument for use in perforating a tissue structure (such as the transverse ligament) can be an elongate structure with one or more retractable blades. Such a tool can be used in either an open or minimally invasive procedure to create a desired pattern of perforations in the tissue structure. | 02-02-2012 |
20120100125 | LOCAL DEHYDRATION FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - A procedure for treating carpal tunnel syndrome can involve delivering a dehydrating agent into and/or near the carpal tunnel. The dehydrating agent can reduce swelling of the flexor tendons and/or the carpal ligament in the region, thereby reducing pressure on the median nerve that also runs through the carpal tunnel. Through the use of a dehydrating agent that affects proteoglycans without affecting collagen, localized dehydration can be induced without weakening the flexor tendons, carpal ligament, and any other structures in the carpal tunnel region. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101325 | LOCALLY TARGETED ANTI-FIBROTIC AGENTS AND METHODS OF USE - Effective devices and methods using an antifibrotic agent are provided for treating fibrosis or treating normal fibrous tissue. The devices and methods comprise an antifibrotic agent to degrade shrink, relax or stretch at least a portion of the fibrotic tissue. In some embodiments, the methods and devices are configured to immediately release an effective amount of the antifibrotic agent within 24 hours. In some embodiments, when the device comes in contact directly or indirectly with an activator, the antifibrotic agent will be immediately released from the depot. In some embodiments, the depot provides sustained release of the antifibrotic agent over a period of up to one year to treat fibrous tissue. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101577 | ACTIVATABLE DEVICES CONTAINING A CHEMONUCLEOLYSIS AGENT - Effective devices and methods using a chemonucleolysis agent are provided for treating an intervertebral disc or treating spinal arachnoiditis. The devices and methods comprise a chemonucleolysis agent to degrade or to shrink at least a portion of the intervertebral disc. In some embodiments, the methods and devices are configured to immediately release an effective amount of the chemonucleolysis agent within 24 hours when the device comes in contact directly or indirectly with an activator and provide sustained release of the chemonucleolysis agent over a period of up to one year to treat the intervertebral disc. In some embodiments, the chemonucleolysis agent in the device is administered in or near the intrathecal space and/or thecal sac to treat spinal arachnoiditis. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101578 | DEVICES CONTAINING A CHEMONUCLEOLYSIS AGENT AND METHODS FOR TREATING AN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC OR SPINAL ARACHNOIDITIS - Effective devices and methods using a chemonucleolysis agent are provided for treating an intervertebral disc or treating spinal arachnoiditis. The devices and methods comprise a chemonucleolysis agent to degrade or to shrink at least a portion of the intervertebral disc. In some embodiments, the methods and devices are configured to immediately release an effective amount of the chemonucleolysis agent within 24 hours and provide sustained release of the chemonucleolysis agent over a period of up to one year to treat the intervertebral disc. In some embodiments, the chemonucleolysis agent in the device is administered in or near the intrathecal space and/or thecal sac to treat spinal arachnoiditis. | 04-26-2012 |
20120158099 | LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY FOR LOW BACK PAIN - The invention provides an energy source emitting, such as a low level laser light, catheter having a throughbore, an energy emitting surface disposed near the distal end of the catheter that is connected, directly or indirectly, to the energy source, which allows for the application of therapeutic energy to treat internal areas of a patient that have been accessed by way of a catheter. | 06-21-2012 |
20120253466 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR THE TREATMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS DISORDERS - Devices for the treatment of intervertebral discs are described. The devices, when implanted into the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, are specifically configured with an inert outer layer and an inner layer containing at least one chemonucleolysis agent so as to provide a delayed and controlled release of the chemonucleolysis agent from the inner layer into the disc. The implant can be an elongated solid body having a tapered or rounded insertion end having at least one therapeutic agent in the inner layer of the implant surrounded by an outer layer of inert material. | 10-04-2012 |