Method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to tissue asymmetrically

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

• an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,
• wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,
• wherein said first component is coupled to said second component with a pin.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

• an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,
• wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,
• wherein ii) said first component includes a first stem and said second component includes a second stem and i) first component is coupled to said second component by inserting said second stem of said second component into a hole formed in said first stem of said first component, then sliding said second component toward said first component, and then inserting a pin between said first stem of said first component and said second stem of the second component.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

• an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,
• wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,
• wherein said electrode is coupled to said distal end with a snap-fit connection.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

• an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,
• wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,
• wherein said electrode is coupled to said distal end with a friction-fit connection.

A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

• an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,
• wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,
• wherein said elongated probe includes a round tube that is integrally joined to said first component and said second component is located in an opening that is formed in said round tube.

A method for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

• providing a surgical instrument having an electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis;
• inserting the electrode into a body to be treated which contains said section of tissue;
• and
• delivering energy to said section of tissue so as to obtain a medically therapeutic result, wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,
• wherein inserting includes inserting said surgical instrument into an intervertebral disc.

A surgical instrument connectable by way of an energy coupling to an energy source to provide energy to a surgical site, said surgical instrument comprising:

• a probe member including a distal and a proximal end and the proximal end portion including the energy coupling to the source of energy;
• and
• a tip positioned at the distal end of said elongated probe, said tip including adjacent first and second portions and the first portion coupled to the energy coupling at the proximal end to provide energy to the surgical site and the second portion designed to limit energy delivery to the surgical site, and
• further comprising:
• a heat transfer tube extending from the second portion of the tip along a length of the probe, and the heat transfer tube coupled thermally to the second portion of the tip to remove energy from the second portion of the tip.

A surgical instrument, connectable by way of an energy coupling to an energy source to provide energy to a surgical site, said surgical instrument comprising:

• a probe member including a distal and a proximal end and the proximal end portion including the energy coupling to the source of energy;
• and
• a tip positioned at the distal end of said elongated probe, said tip including adjacent first and second portions and the first portion coupled to the energy coupling at the proximal end to provide energy to the surgical site and the second portion designed to limit energy delivery to the surgical site, wherein said surgical instrument is
• connectable by way of a fluid coupling to a fluid supply, and
• the distal end of the probe member further comprising the fluid coupling to the fluid supply;
• and
• the tip further comprising a coupling between the second portion and the fluid coupling to provide a fluid from the fluid supply to the second portion and to remove the fluid, so as to remove energy from the second portion.