Implantable devices for thermal therapy and related methods

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting a malleable or deformable thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner. The thermal device can be connectionless or can include penetrable regions, pre-attached tubing, or detachable connectors to facilitate application of cooling or heating means to the device. Methods are disclosed for utilizing thermal devices and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling or heating tissue using such devices.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A system, comprising:
 an implantable pad having an outer membrane that defines a cavity therein and that includes a penetrable region;   a connector insertable through the penetrable region, the connector including a fluid inlet conduit and a fluid outlet conduit which are placed in fluid communication with the cavity when the connector is inserted through the penetrable region;   a thermal source coupled to the connector and configured to circulate heated or chilled fluid through a fluid path defined by the fluid inlet conduit, the cavity, and the fluid outlet conduit to apply thermal therapy to anatomy disposed in proximity to the pad.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the pad is substantially cylindrical and the penetrable region is formed in a proximal-facing end surface of the pad. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the penetrable region comprises an entire exterior surface of the pad. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the pad is substantially cylindrical and is least one of radially collapsible and longitudinally collapsible. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the membrane is malleable. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a tether that extends from the pad and that is attached to the pad such that application of a tension force to the tether is effective to move the pad relative to anatomy in which the pad is implanted. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a rigid heat transfer element coupled to a distal-facing surface of the pad. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein a distal-facing surface of the pad includes a recess contoured to match a spinal cord. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the pad includes laterally-extending wings having at least one opening formed therein for receiving a spinal implant. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the pad includes at least one laterally-extending wing having a malleable wireframe disposed therein. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein a proximal-facing surface of the pad includes a hook or loop sized to receive a spinal cross connector therethrough. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the pad is at least partially filled with a bio-absorbable gel or substrate. 
     
     
         57 . A system, comprising:
 an implantable pad having an outer membrane that defines a cavity therein;   a fluid inlet conduit extending from the pad and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a fluid outlet conduit extending from the pad and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a thermal source coupled to the fluid inlet conduit and the fluid outlet conduit and configured to circulate heated or chilled fluid through a fluid path defined by the fluid inlet conduit, the cavity, and the fluid outlet conduit to apply thermal therapy to anatomy disposed in proximity to the pad.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein at least one of the fluid inlet conduit and the fluid outlet conduit can be detached from the pad by remote actuation. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein at least a connection between the fluid inlet conduit and the pad and a connection between the fluid outlet conduit and the pad are bioabsorbable to separate the fluid inlet conduit and the fluid outlet conduit from the pad. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the pad is substantially cylindrical and is least one of radially collapsible and longitudinally collapsible. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the membrane is malleable. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 57 , further comprising a tether that extends from the pad and that is attached to the pad such that application of a tension force to the tether is effective to move the pad relative to anatomy in which the pad is implanted. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 57 , further comprising a rigid heat transfer element coupled to a distal-facing surface of the pad. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein a distal-facing surface of the pad includes a recess contoured to match a spinal cord. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the pad includes laterally-extending wings having at least one opening formed therein for receiving a spinal implant. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the pad includes at least one laterally-extending wing having a malleable wireframe disposed therein. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein a proximal-facing surface of the pad includes a hook or loop sized to receive a spinal cross connector therethrough. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the pad is at least partially filled with a bio-absorbable gel or substrate. 
     
     
         69 - 84 . (canceled)