Transdiscal administration of specific inhibitors of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Abstract

The present invention relates to injecting a high specificity cytokine antagonist into a diseased intervertebral disc.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease (DDD), comprising:
 obtaining an MRI of a proximal tissue in a patient having DDD;   assigning a quantified value for the selected tissue based upon the MRI; and   comparing the quantified value against a pre-determined value, wherein if the quantified value is greater than the pre-determined value, providing a therapy comprising:
 inserting a tip of an elongate instrument through the proximal tissue and into a region distal a portion of the proximal tissue, and 
 releasing a therapeutic device from the elongate element into the distal region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate instrument is inserted into the proximal tissue via a path created by a tubular instrument. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic device comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         4 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease (DDD), comprising:
 obtaining an MRI of a selected tissue in a patient having DDD;   assigning a quantified value for the selected tissue based upon the MRI; and   comparing the quantified value against a pre-determined value, wherein if the quantified value exceeds the pre-determined value, performing a procedure comprising:
 puncturing the skin of the patient, 
 advancing an elongate element through the puncture and into the selected tissue, and 
 contacting the selected tissue with a sensing element associated with the elongate element. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the elongate element comprises an outer tube and an inner stylet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of removing the stylet from the outer tube prior to delivering the sensing element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of delivering a therapeutic agent through the puncture to a region distal a portion of an annulus fibrosus associated with the DDD. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease (DDD) in an individual, comprising:
 determining a profile of the individual via a diagnostic procedure;   comparing the profile of the individual against a pre-determined profile of at-risk humans, wherein if the profile of the individual indicates a risk greater than the pre-determined profile of at-risk humans, providing a procedure to the individual comprising:
 inserting into a selected tissue of the patient at least a portion of an elongate element comprising i) an outer tube having a substantially smooth outer surface, and ii) an inner elongate member housed within the outer tube, 
 advancing at least a portion of the elongate element within the selected tissue of the patient, and 
 exposing the selected tissue to a sensing element associated with the elongate element. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein in the step of advancing at least a portion of the elongate element within the selected tissue of the patient, the elongate element is simultaneously rotated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate instrument is inserted into a region distal a portion of an annulus fibrosus associated with the DDD via a path created by the outer tube. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a patient having degenerative disc disease (DDD) with a device comprising i) a tubular member having a longitudinal passageway therein, and ii) an elongate member disposed substantially parallel to the tubular member, comprising:
 inserting the elongate member into an annulus fibrosus of the patient associated with the DDD while keeping the tubular member outside the annulus fibrosus, and   exposing a selected tissue to a sensing element associated with the elongate element.   
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a patient having degenerative disc disease (DDD) with a device comprising i) a tubular member having a longitudinal passageway therein, and ii) an elongate member disposed substantially parallel to the tubular member, comprising:
 inserting the elongate member into an annulus fibrosus of the patient associated with the DDD while keeping the tubular member outside the annulus fibrosus, and   delivering a therapeutic agent via the elongate member to a region distal a portion of the annulus fibrosus associated with the DDD.