Method and Apparatus for Treatment of Discogenic Pain

Abstract

A back pain treatment system includes a patient support, a radiation source, a radiation delivery mechanism, and a treatment planning computer adapted to control the radiation delivery mechanism. The treatment planning computer is programmed to deliver radiation from the radiation source to a treatment volume including a blood vessel.

1 . A method of operating a back pain treatment clinic, comprising:
 providing an apparatus configured to treat back pain with radiation;   creating an advertisement intended to inform potential customers about the back pain treatment clinic; and   soliciting customers via the advertisement.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is placed in at least one of a magazine or a newspaper. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is placed on a billboard. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is run on at least one of a radio station or a television station. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is placed on the internet. 
     
     
         6 . A back pain treatment system, comprising:
 a patient support;   a radiation source;   a radiation delivery mechanism and   a treatment planning computer adapted to control the radiation delivery mechanism, the treatment planning computer programmed to deliver radiation from the radiation source to a treatment volume including a blood vessel.   
     
     
         7 . The treatment device of  claim 6  wherein the blood vessel has invaded a portion of an intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         8 . The treatment device of  claim 6 , wherein the delivery mechanism is a robotic arm to permit delivery of radiation from different positions. 
     
     
         9 . The treatment device of  claim 6 , wherein the delivery mechanism is coupled to a rotating gantry to permit delivery of radiation from different positions. 
     
     
         10 . The treatment device of  claim 9 , wherein the patient support slides relative to the rotating gantry. 
     
     
         11 . The treatment device of  claim 6 , wherein the radiation source is a Cobalt-60 source. 
     
     
         12 . The treatment device of  claim 6 , wherein the radiation source is a linear accelerator. 
     
     
         13 . The treatment device of  claim 6 , further comprising a computed tomography scanner adapted to provide information to the treatment planning computer for determining the position of a patient.