Systems and methods for creating curved paths through bone and modulating nerves within the bone

A system configured for navigation and treatment within a vertebral body, the system comprising:

• an introducer, the introducer comprising a proximal handle and an elongate tube comprising a channel extending from the proximal handle to a distal end of the introducer;
• a straight stylet configured to be received in the channel of the introducer, wherein the straight stylet comprises a sharp-tipped distal end that, when installed fully within the introducer, extends slightly beyond the distal end of the introducer,
• a steerable probe configured to be inserted through the introducer after removal of the straight stylet, wherein the steerable probe comprises:
• a proximal handle;
• an elongate tube, the elongate tube comprising a slotted distal portion configured to bend upon actuation,
• a pair of electrodes configured to act as a bipolar pair;
• and
• at least one temperature sensor.

A system configured for navigation and treatment within a vertebral body, the system comprising:

• an introducer comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel;
• wherein the central channel is disposed along a central axis of the introducer and extends from the proximal end toward the distal end;
• wherein the introducer comprises a distal opening at or near the distal end of the introducer, the distal opening being in communication with the central channel;
• and
• a treatment probe;
• the treatment probe sized to be received in said central channel and delivered from the proximal end of the introducer toward said distal opening of the introducer;
• the treatment probe comprising a straight proximal end and a curveable distal end;
• the curveable distal end being deformable so as to be delivered in a straight configuration through the introducer and deployed in a curved configuration outward from the distal opening of the introducer at an angle with respect to the central axis of the introducer,
• wherein the curveable distal end comprises a sharpened distal tip configured to channel through a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body;
• and
• wherein the curveable distal end comprises a pair of electrodes configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of energy to a treatment location within the vertebral body.