Apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving intravascular, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation

A medical treatment kit, comprising:

• an intravascular treatment device including—
• an elongated shaft extending along an axis, the elongated shaft comprising a proximal end region and a distal end region, the distal end region including a first flexure zone and a second flexure zone adjacent to and extending distally beyond the first flexure zone;
• a handle coupled to the proximal end region;
• a treatment element carried by and extending distally beyond the second flexure zone;
• a flexure control element coupled to the first flexure zone and configured to apply a first force to the first flexure zone to move the first flexure zone of the distal region of the elongated shaft in a radial direction away from the axis;
• a flexible structure within the second flexure zone that is coupled to the treatment element and configured to allow passive flexure about the axis in response to a second force applied to the treatment element via contact with a tissue surface;
• and
• a flexure controller carried by the handle and coupled to the flexure control element, wherein the flexure controller is configured to cause the flexure control element to apply the first force to move the first flexure zone;
• a cable configured to electrically connect the treatment device to an energy generator;
• a guide catheter configured to facilitate intravascular delivery of the treatment device into a patient;
• and
• instructions for delivering the treatment device into a renal artery of the patient and at least partially denervating a kidney of the patient corresponding to the renal artery to treat the patient for a condition associated with at least one of hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, chronic renal failure, sympathetic hyperactivity, diabetes, metabolic disorder, insulin resistance, arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction and cardio-renal syndrome.