Methods and systems for spinal radio frequency neurotomy

A method comprising:

• inserting a needle into a patient, the needle comprising:
• an elongate member;
• a piercing tip at a distal end of the elongate member;
• a lumen within the elongate member;
• and
• a filament in a retracted position in which the filament is at least partially disposed within the elongate member;
• moving the filament to a deployed position within the patient in which at least a distal end of the filament is out of the elongate member and disposed away from the tip;
• inserting a radiofrequency probe into the lumen of the needle such that the radiofrequency probe contacts a conductive portion of the needle at a distal end of the needle to thereby establish an electrically conductive path from the radiofrequency probe to the filament;
• and
• operating the radiofrequency probe, the tip, and the filament as a monopolar electrode, with radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency probe being conducted to the filament through the electrically conductive path and transmitted by the filament.

A method comprising:

• introducing a needle into a patient, the needle comprising:
• an elongate member;
• a lumen within the elongate member;
• and
• a filament in a retracted position relative to the elongate member;
• moving the filament to a deployed position within the patient;
• inserting a radiofrequency probe into the lumen of the needle;
• physically contacting the radiofrequency probe to a conductive portion of the needle at a distal end of the needle;
• and
• operating the radiofrequency probe and the filament as a monopolar electrode while the radiofrequency probe contacts the conductive portion of the needle, such that radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency probe passes through the conductive portion of the needle and is transmitted by the filament.