Electrosurgical cannulas, systems and methods

An electrosurgical system for thermally treating tissue, comprising:

• an electrosurgical generator for supplying an output voltage;
• an electrosurgical cannula, including:
• a cylindrical body portion defining a lumen therethrough, the body portion including a non-coring pointed distal tip, wherein the distal tip is electrically conductive;
• and
• at least one thermocouple having a distal end connected to the conductive distal tip, wherein the distal end of the thermocouple extends around a proximal edge of a penetration portion of the distal tip;
• and
• an electrical connection connecting the conductive distal tip of the cannula to a desired output voltage of the electrosurgical generator.

A method of performing a thermal treatment of tissue in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrosurgical cannula having:
• a cylindrical body portion defining a lumen therethrough, the body portion including a non-coring pointed distal tip, wherein the distal tip is electrically conductive;
• and
• at least one thermocouple having a distal end connected to the conductive distal tip and a proximal end connected to an electrosurgical generator;
• and
• an electrical connection connecting the conductive distal tip of the cannula to a desired output voltage of the electrosurgical generator;
• inserting the conductive distal tip of the cannula into a target region;
• locating the conductive distal tip of the cannula in the target region by activating a stimulate mode of the electrosurgical generator;
• confirming the location of the conductive distal tip of the cannula by re-activating the stimulate mode of the electrosurgical generator;
• and
• treating the target tissue by activating an RF mode of the electrosurgical generator.