Claims
- 1. A single-use, disposable unit comprising:
(a) an ultrasonic emitter having a concave emitting surface; (b) a waveguide having an outwardly flaring bell at a rearward end and an elongated tube communicating with the bell and projecting in a forward direction, the bell having an opening at its rearward end, the emitting surface of the emitting element facing into the open end of the waveguide; and (c) a substantially gas-free ultrasonic transmission medium disposed inside the waveguide and extending from the emitting surface of the ultrasonic emitting element to the forward end of the waveguide.
- 2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a gas impermeable package enclosing the emitting element and waveguide.
- 3. A hand-held ultrasonic instrument comprising:
(a) a handle; (b) an ultrasonic emitting element and; (c) a waveguide having an open rearward end and a window at its forward end, the emitting element and the waveguide being mounted to the handle.
- 4. A method of alleviating disk disease comprising:
(a) inserting an elongated waveguide into a disk to be treated and advancing a tip of the waveguide through the disk until the tip of the waveguide is disposed within the disk, in or adjacent a portion of the disk protruding into a nerve exit channel of the spine; and (b) delivering ultrasonic energy through the waveguide to the tip so as to ablate tissue within the protruding portion of the disk.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/218,941, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US01/22264 |
7/16/2001 |
WO |
|