Insulated pedicle access system and related methods

An insulated pedicle access system comprising:

• a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, said stylet comprising an elongated needle element including a shaped tip at the distal end dimensioned to advance into a bony structure;
• a cannula composed of conductive material, said cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula having a coupling element positioned at the proximal end, wherein the cannula distal end has an insulative coating forming a distal insulated portion and wherein the cannula proximal end has an uninsulated portion configured to receive an electrical stimulation current from an electrical stimulation source;
• a handle configured to attach to said stylet and said cannula to allow a user to position said insulated pedicle access system;
• and
• an insulated sheath dimensioned to receive said needle element;
• wherein said needle element is configured to deliver an electrical stimulation current from an electrical source connected to the uninsulative portion of the cannula to a target region with said bony structure;
• and
• wherein the cannula coupling element is lockingly engageable with said stylet independently of the handle upon rotation of said cannula coupling element relative to said stylet from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the handle is configured to attach to said stylet and said cannula at the locked position.

A method for preparing a pilot hole in a bony structure, comprising:

• providing an insulated pedicle access system having a stylet comprising a needle element having a proximal end and a distal end disposed within a cannula, said cannula composed of conductive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula having a coupling element positioned at the proximal end, wherein the cannula distal end has an insulative coating forming a distal insulated portion, and wherein the cannula proximal end has a first uninsulative portion configured to receive an electrical stimulation current from an electrical stimulation source, and said insulated pedicle access system further having a handle configured to attach to said stylet and said cannula, and wherein said stylet is lockingly mateable with said cannula coupling element independently of said handle upon rotation of said cannula coupling element relative to said stylet from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the handle is configured to attach to said stylet and said cannula at the locked position, and at least one of said needle element distal end and said cannula distal end having a second uninsulative portion configured to deliver an electrical stimulation current to said bony structure;
• attaching an electrical stimulation source to said first uninsulative portion;
• advancing said insulated pedicle access system into a bony structure to form a pilot hole;
• and
• delivering an electrical stimulation current from said electrical stimulation source to said bony structure to monitor the integrity of said bony structure.