Patents by Inventor Zsuzsi Conforti

Zsuzsi Conforti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Intervertebral disc replacement method
    Patent number: 7104986
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for removing a vertebral disc in preparation for implanting a prosthetic disc or removing a portion of the vertebral disc such as the nucleus pulposus in preparation for placing a prosthetic nucleus within the annulus of the disc. The present invention also teaches shrinking residual tissue in preparation for placing the implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Hovda, Brian Martini, Zsuzsi Conforti, Jean Woloszko
  • Systems and methods for electrosurgical intervertebral disc replacement
    Publication number: 20040024398
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for removing a vertebral disc in preparation for implanting a prosthetic disc or removing a portion of the vertebral disc such as the nucleus pulposus in preparation for placing a prosthetic nucleus within the annulus of the disc. The present invention also teaches shrinking residual tissue in preparation for placing the implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Hovda, Brian E. Martini, Zsuzsi Conforti, Jean Woloszko