Abstract: A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus includes placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70.degree. C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus.

Abstract: The current invention provides method and apparatus for communications between network attached peripheral devices and one or more server nodes for the collection of data from the peripheral devices. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a method and apparatus for monitoring peripheral devices on a network is disclosed. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a method and apparatus for remotely configuring network peripheral devices is disclosed. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a method for enabling a web browser to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for monitoring peripheral devices on the internet is disclosed.