Nerve ablation devices and related methods of use

An ablation device comprising:

• an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region;
• a handle disposed adjacent to the proximal end region;
• a distal tip including an electrode disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft;
• and
• a plurality of splines adjacent to the distal end region, wherein each one of the plurality of splines is independently actuatable between a first contracted position, and a second expanded position.

A method of performing nerve ablation, comprising:

• inserting an ablation device into a vessel, the ablation device including:
• an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region;
• a handle disposed adjacent to the proximal end region;
• a distal tip including an electrode disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft;
• and
• a plurality of independently expandable splines adjacent to the distal end region, the plurality of splines disposed in a contracted position;
• deploying one or more of the plurality of splines to an expanded position such that the electrode is brought into contact with a wall of the vessel at a first location;
• applying RF energy at the first location through the electrode;
• retracting the one or more deployed splines to the contracted position;
• moving the elongate shaft to a second location;
• deploying one or more of the plurality of splines to an expanded position such that the electrode is brought into contact with a wall of the vessel at the second location;
• applying RF energy at the second location through the electrode;
• retracting the one or more deployed splines to the contracted position;
• and
• withdrawing the ablation device from the vessel.