Ablation apparatus and system to limit nerve conduction

A system for minimally invasive surgery comprising:

• a controller associated with memory;
• an electrosurgical probe associated with memory;
• a communication link between the controller and the electrosurgical probe;
• means for comparing a use parameter stored in the memory of the controller with a complementary use parameter stored in the electrosurgical probe;
• and
• managing use of the electrosurgical probe according to the use parameters.

An electrosurgical probe comprising:

• a probe body defining a longitudinal probe axis;
• multiple conductive electrodes operatively disposed along the probe axis;
• a stimulation current source in electrical communication with at least one of the conductive electrodes;
• and
• a blunt tip operatively disposed at a first end of the probe.

An electrosurgical probe comprising:

• a probe body defining a longitudinal probe axis;
• multiple conductive electrodes operatively disposed along the probe axis;
• a stimulation current source in electrical communication with at least one of the conductive electrodes;
• a handle operatively associated with the probe body;
• and
• a switch operatively associated with the handle wherein selective actuation of the switch may increase or decrease the application of stimulation current to at least one conductive electrode.

A method of minimally invasive surgery comprising:

• providing a controller in communication with a source of ablation current;
• providing an electrosurgical probe in electrical communication with the source of ablation current;
• and
• automatically supplying a therapeutic quantity of energy from the source of ablation current to the electrosurgical probe according to a select therapeutic energy protocol stored in memory associated with the controller.