Needles and systems for radiofrequency neurotomy
AssigneeStratus Medical, LLC
InventorsRobert E. Wright, Scott A. Brandt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for radiofrequency neurotomy are disclosed. Needles with deployable filaments capable of producing lesions at target volumes, which include a target nerve, and systems including such needles are disclosed. Ablation of at least a portion of the target nerve may inhibit the ability of the nerve to transmit signals, such as pain signals, to the central nervous system. The lesion may facilitate procedures by directing energy towards the target nerve and away from collateral structures. Example anatomical structures include lumbar, thoracic, and cervical medial branch nerves and rami and the sacroiliac joint.
Claims29
A radiofrequency neurotomy needle operable with a radiofrequency probe, the radiofrequency neurotomy needle comprising:
- a conductive portion at a distal end of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle;
- a tip configured to pierce tissue of a patient;
- an elongate member comprising a lumen configured to accept the radiofrequency probe therein such that the radiofrequency probe physically contacts and is electrically connected to the conductive portion, the tip being at a distal end of the elongate member;
- a filament electrically connected to the conductive portion and the tip due to physical contact of conductive materials at the distal end of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle such that the filament and the tip operate together as a single electrode, the filament being movable between a retracted position, in which the filament is at least partially in the elongate member, and a deployed position, in which at least a portion of the filament is out of the elongate member;
- and
- an actuator interconnected to the filament to move the filament between the retracted position and the deployed position,
- wherein the filament and the tip are configured to transmit radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency probe when the filament is in the deployed position and the radiofrequency probe is accepted in the lumen and is in physical contact with the conductive portion.
A radiofrequency neurotomy needle operable with a radiofrequency probe, the radiofrequency neurotomy needle comprising:
- a tip comprising a conductive material, the tip being configured to pierce tissue of a patient;
- a tube comprising a conductive material, the tube being configured to accept the radiofrequency probe therein;
- a filament comprising a conductive material, wherein the tip, the tube, and the filament are electrically connected at a distal end of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle due to physical contact, at the distal end of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle, of each of the conductive materials with at least one of the other conductive materials, such that the filament and the tip are operative together as a single electrode, the filament being movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, a distal tip of the filament being closer to a central longitudinal axis of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle when the filament is in the retracted position as compared with when the filament is in the deployed position;
- and
- an actuator interconnected to the filament to move the filament between the retracted position and the deployed position,
- wherein the filament and the tip are configured to transmit radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency probe when the filament is in the deployed position and the radiofrequency probe is accepted in the lumen and in physical contact with at least one of the conductive materials at the distal end of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle.
A radiofrequency neurotomy needle operable with a radiofrequency probe, the radiofrequency neurotomy needle comprising:
- an elongate member comprising a lumen configured to accept the radiofrequency probe therein;
- a tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate member and being configured to pierce tissue of a patient, the tip comprising a conductive material configured to physically contact a distal end of the radiofrequency probe when the radiofrequency probe is accepted in the lumen;
- a filament comprising a conductive material, the filament being electrically connected to the tip by way of physical contact with the tip at a distal end of the radiofrequency neurotomy needle such that the filament and the tip are operative together as a single electrode, the filament being movable between a retracted position, in which the filament is in a cross-sectional envelope of the tip, and a deployed position, in which a portion of the filament is outside the cross-sectional envelope of the tip;
- and
- an actuator interconnected to the filament to move the filament between the retracted position and the deployed position,
- wherein the filament and the tip are configured to transmit radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency probe when the filament is in the deployed position and the radiofrequency probe is accepted in the lumen and in physical contact with the conductive material of the tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.