SELECTIVE DELIVERY OF CRYOGENIC ENERGY TO INTERVERTEBRAL DISC TISSUE AND RELATED METHODS OF INTRADISCAL HYPOTHERMIA THERAPY

摘要

A method of delivering cryogenic energy within a vertebral body comprising forming a hole within the vertebral body; inserting a cryoprobe into said body, wherein said cryoprobe has a distal tip and a thermally transmissive region located proximate to said tip; activating said thermally transmissive region; and delivering cryogenic energy for one or more time periods in the range of 1 minute to 60 minutes.