Intervertebral Disc Puncture and Treatment System

Abstract

A pre-assembled, telescoping needle system comprising an outer needle surrounding a finer gauge needle which, after percutaneous penetration by the outer needle, extends to penetrate the intervertebral disc into which the injectable is to be delivered.

1 . A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient having an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrous and a nucleus pulposus, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a therapeutic delivery system, comprising:
 i) an outer needle having a distal end, and 
 ii) an inner needle received within the outer needle and having a distal end, 
   b) inserting the outer needle into the patient at a location dorsal of the intervertebral disc,   c) advancing the outer needle to abut the annulus fibrosus, and   d) advancing only the inner needle into the nucleus pulposus.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inner needle has an outer surface having i) a first proximal outer diameter, and ii) a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivery system further comprises:
 iii) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of:
 e) actuating the syringe to inject the therapeutic agent into the nucleus pulposus.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of:
 e) removing the inner needle from the outer needle, and   f) inserting a second inner needle into the outer needle.   
   
   
       6 . A needle system for delivery of a therapeutic agent, comprising:
 a) an outer needle having an outer surface having a transverse throughhole, and a detent provided in the throughhole, the detent having a projection extending inwardly, and   b) an inner needle having an outer surface having a plurality of axially spaced grooves,   wherein the projection of the detent is shaped to be received in the plurality of axially spaced grooves.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a first proximal outer diameter upon which the grooves are located and a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the system further comprises:
 c) an annular plug disposed within a distal end of the outer needle and adapted to fit between the inner and outer needles.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 c) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the system is pre-assembled. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a plurality of depth markings. 
   
   
       12 . A needle system for delivery of a therapeutic agent, comprising:
 a) an outer needle having an inner surface having a first thread, and   b) an inner needle having an outer surface having a second thread,   wherein the first thread is adapted to mate with the second thread.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a first proximal outer diameter upon which the second thread is located and a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the system further comprises:
 c) an annular plug disposed within a distal end of the outer needle and adapted to fit between the inner and outer needles.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 c) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the system is pre-assembled. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a plurality of depth markings. 
   
   
       18 . A needle system for delivery of a therapeutic agent, comprising:
 a) an outer needle having an inner surface, and   b) an inner needle having an outer surface,   wherein one of the needles has a tab extending from its surface, the other needle has a channel in its surface, and   wherein the tab is received in the channel.   
   
   
       19 . The needle system of  claim 18  wherein the channel has a plurality of alternating axial portions and lateral portions. 
   
   
       20 . The needle system of  claim 18  wherein the inner surface of the outer needle has the tab and the outer surface of the inner needle has the channel. 
   
   
       21 . The needle system of  claim 18  wherein the inner surface of the outer needle has the channel and the outer surface of the inner needle has the tab. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a first proximal outer diameter upon which the tab or channel is located and a second distal outer diameter, wherein the first proximal outer diameter is greater than the second distal outer diameter. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the system further comprises:
 c) an annular plug disposed within a distal end of the outer needle and adapted to fit between the inner and outer needles.   
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising:
 c) a syringe in fluid connection with the inner needle, wherein the syringe contains a therapeutic agent.   
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the system is pre-assembled. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the outer surface of the inner needle has a plurality of depth markings.