Abstract: A medical device for forming a channel into a bone having an outer surface, includes an introducer tube having a distal end and a proximal end disposed in a longitudinal direction; a handle coupled with the proximal end of the introducer tube, wherein an internal channel is formed through the introducer tube and the handle, the internal channel configured to receive another longitudinal device from the handle to the distal end of the introducer tube; and an edge formed at the distal end of the introducer tube; a distance from the edge to a tip of the distal end of the introducer tube forming a distal end length, the distal end length being greater than 0, wherein the edge is configured to engage with the outer surface of the bone.

Abstract: A medical device for forming a channel into a bone includes an introducer cannula having a hypotube disposed in a longitudinal direction, the distal hypotube having an introducer lumen disposed therethrough. The medical device also includes a curved cannula having an elongated tube, the elongated tube having a curved cannula lumen disposed therethrough, the elongated tube having a proximal straight tube portion and a distal curved tube portion, the elongated tube configured to be received into the introducer lumen of the introducer cannula; and a stylet having an elongated shaft, the elongated shaft having a proximal straight portion and a distal curved portion, the elongated shaft configured to be received into the curved cannula lumen. The distal curved portion of the stylet is relieved from a generally cylindrical shape of the stylet.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for determining likelihood of a patient favorably responding to a neuromodulation procedure based on a quantitative or objective score or determination based on a plurality of indicators of pain (e.g., chronic low back pain stemming from one or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates of a patient). The systems and methods may involve application of artificial intelligence techniques (e.g., trained algorithms, machine learning or deep learning algorithms, and/or trained neural networks).

Abstract: A steerable, or curveable, introducer drill to access a target treatment region within bone along a curved trajectory is disclosed. The drill may include a drive shaft including a proximal rotational member, a distal drill tip, and an elongate shaft portion extending from the proximal rotational member to the distal drill tip. The distal drill tip may be sharp and include cutting flutes. The drill may also include an outer tube surrounding the drive shaft. A distal end portion of the outer tube may include a segmented tube section configured to facilitate controlled bending of the segmented tube section of the outer tube. The drill may also include an actuator operably coupled to the drive shaft and adapted to apply tension to the drive shaft which, in turn, causes the segmented tube section of the outer tube to bend.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for determining likelihood of a patient favorably responding to a neuromodulation procedure based on a quantitative or objective score or determination based on a plurality of indicators of pain (e.g., chronic low back pain stemming from one or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates of a patient). The systems and methods may involve application of artificial intelligence techniques (e.g., trained algorithms, machine learning or deep learning algorithms, and/or trained neural networks).

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for determining likelihood of a patient favorably responding to a neuromodulation procedure based on a quantitative or objective score or determination based on a plurality of indicators of pain (e.g., chronic low back pain stemming from one or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates of a patient). The systems and methods may involve application of artificial intelligence techniques (e.g., trained algorithms, machine learning or deep learning algorithms, and/or trained neural networks).

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for determining likelihood of a patient favorably responding to a neuromodulation procedure based on a quantitative or objective score or determination based on a plurality of indicators of pain (e.g., chronic low back pain stemming from one or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates of a patient). The systems and methods may involve application of artificial intelligence techniques (e.g., trained algorithms, machine learning or deep learning algorithms, and/or trained neural networks).

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for treating back pain (e.g., chronic low back pain) caused by different (e.g., independent) sources of pain, such as pain originating or stemming from intervertebral discs, from vertebral endplates, and/or from intraosseous locations within one or more vertebral bodies. For example, methods for treating back pain (e.g., chronic low back pain) may involve both vertebral fusion (e.g., arthrodesis or spondylodesis to fuse adjacent vertebrae) and neuromodulation (for example, ablation of nerves within or surrounding one or more of the adjacent vertebrae). The neuromodulation may facilitate treatment of pain that is generated by insertion of fusion hardware.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically-controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.