Thermal energy delivery systems and methods for heating a vertebral body

Abstract

An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ultrasound energy delivery system for treating a region of tissue associated with a skeletal joint, comprising:
 an ultrasound treatment assembly with an ultrasound transducer;   a skeletal joint delivery assembly that is adapted to deliver the ultrasound treatment assembly into the body with the ultrasound transducer positioned at a location within the body associated with the skeletal joint; and   wherein the ultrasound treatment assembly is adapted to deliver a therapeutic level of ultrasound energy from the location and into the region of tissue.