Abstract: An electrode assembly that may be applied for use with medical devices. The electrode assembly includes an elongate first electrode and an elongate second electrode, each having interior cavities. The second electrode extends from a proximal end of the electrode assembly to a first distance from the distal end of the electrode assembly. The first electrode is slidably disposed within an interior cavity of the second electrode. The electrode assembly includes a tip coupled to a distal end of the first electrode. A maximum lateral or radial dimension of the tip is greater than a maximum lateral or radial dimension of the interior cavity of the second electrode to prevent the distal end of the first electrode from sliding into the interior cavity of the second electrode proximally beyond the open distal end of the second electrode.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes inserting a combined stylet into a patient to create a pathway and pushing a needle into, through, and out of an interior cavity of a cannula to position a curved distal end of the needle adjacent a distal end of the cannula in the pathway. The method also includes lengthening the pathway in an angled and curved direction relative to a mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula and guiding a drill to at least one of enlarge or further lengthen the pathway in an angled and curved direction relative to the mid-longitudinal axis of the cannula. The method also includes pushing portions of an RF ablation probe into, through, and out of the cannula and into and through the pathway to position a distal end portion of the RF ablation probe adjacent the tissue and activating the RF ablation probe to ablate the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical tool for ablating anatomical tissue according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a distal tip; a first cylindrical tube connected to the distal tip; a second cylindrical tube that at least partially overlaps the first cylindrical tube in a first direction; and a J-shaped stylet disposed in an interior of the surgical tool, the J-shaped stylet capable of being removed from the interior of the surgical tool.

Abstract: An access and radio-frequency (RF) ablation system and method for use thereof is provided. The access and RF ablation system can include an RF ablation probe, a stylet, a cannula, a needle, and a drill.

Abstract: An inflatable bone tamp including a first balloon portion and a second balloon portion is provided. Each of the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion include interior cavities that can be filled with liquid, and these interior cavities communicate with one another via a valve. The valve can limit or restrict flow of the liquid between the cavities. As such, the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion can be sequentially inflated with the liquid through use of the valve.

Abstract: A surgical access system includes a cannula, a mapping spacer, and a trocar. The cannula includes a proximal base and an elongated cannula body extending distally therefrom. The mapping spacer is configured to releasably engage the proximal base and includes first and second uprights defining a slot therebetween. The trocar includes a proximal handle and an elongated trocar body extending distally therefrom to a distal cutting tip. The elongated trocar body is insertable through the mapping spacer and cannula. In a first orientation of the trocar relative to the mapping spacer, the proximal handle is configured to abut the first and second uprights to inhibit extension of the distal cutting tip from the proximal base beyond an initial position. In a second orientation of the trocar, the proximal handle is slidable through the slot to enable extension of the distal cutting tip distally towards an extended position.

Abstract: A cooled radio-frequency (RF) ablation probe is provided. The RF ablation probe includes a first tubular portion defining at least part of an internal cavity for circulating coolant through the cooled RF ablation probe; a second tubular portion surrounding the first tubular portion along a first portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; a third tubular portion surrounding the second tubular portion along a second portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; and a fourth tubular portion surrounding the third tubular portion along a third portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe. A gap is defined between the third tubular portion and the fourth tubular portion that can be filled with air or a vacuum can be formed in the gap to insulate one or more thermocouples attached to the fourth tubular portion from the coolant in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A surgical access system includes a cannula, a mapping spacer, and a trocar. The cannula includes a proximal base and an elongated cannula body extending distally therefrom. The mapping spacer is configured to releasably engage the proximal base and includes first and second uprights defining a slot therebetween. The trocar includes a proximal handle and an elongated trocar body extending distally therefrom to a distal cutting tip. The elongated trocar body is insertable through the mapping spacer and cannula. In a first orientation of the trocar relative to the mapping spacer, the proximal handle is configured to abut the first and second uprights to inhibit extension of the distal cutting tip from the proximal base beyond an initial position. In a second orientation of the trocar, the proximal handle is slidable through the slot to enable extension of the distal cutting tip distally towards an extended position.

Abstract: An inflatable bone tamp for performing a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes an outer shaft defining an internal lumen, an inflatable structure coupled to the outer shaft, and an inner shaft movably disposed within the internal lumen and coupled to a distal end region of the inflatable structure. The internal lumen is sized to receive the inflatable structure, such that by moving the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft, the inflatable structure can be retracted into the internal lumen (and likewise can be extended from within the internal lumen for deployment in bone). This retraction capability can beneficially protect the inflatable structure during positioning/removal, and can also enhance recovery from radial tears of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: An inflatable bone tamp including a first balloon portion and a second balloon portion is provided. Each of the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion include interior cavities that can be filled with liquid, and these interior cavities communicate with one another via a valve. The valve can limit or restrict flow of the liquid between the cavities. As such, the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion can be sequentially inflated with the liquid through use of the valve.

Abstract: A system for use in tumor ablation. The tumor ablation system includes a microwave antenna which has a channel along the length thereof. There are two ports proximate the proximal end of the microwave antenna. The first port is an energy port configured to connect the antenna to an energy source. The second port is a fluid port configured to connect the channel to a fluid delivery mechanism. The system also includes an inflatable balloon configured to be attached to a distal end of the antenna. The channel permits fluid access from the fluid port to an interior of the balloon for inflation thereof.

Abstract: A surgical tool for ablating anatomical tissue according to at least one embodiment of the present disclose includes: a distal tip; a first cylindrical tube connected to the distal tip; a second cylindrical tube that at least partially overlaps the first cylindrical tube in a first direction; and a J-shaped stylet disposed in an interior of the surgical tool, the J-shaped stylet capable of being removed from the interior of the surgical tool.

Abstract: An access and radio-frequency (RF) ablation system and method for use thereof is provided. The access and RF ablation system can include an RF ablation probe, a stylet, a cannula, a needle, and a drill.

Abstract: A deployable radio-frequency (RF) ablation needle is provided. The deployable RF ablation needle is used to apply RF energy to hard and/or soft tissues to facilitate ablation thereof. Portions of the deployable RF ablation needle are configured for expansion from an undeployed configuration to a partially or completely deployed configuration via actuation by a user. The undeployed configuration of these portions of the deployable RF ablation needle affords a relatively small insertion size to facilitate insertion thereof into the hard and/or soft tissues, and the expansion of these portions from the undeployed configuration to the partially or completely deployed configuration correspondingly increases the application area of the RF energy to correspondingly increase the ablation zone afforded by use thereof.

Abstract: A cooled radio-frequency (RF) ablation probe is provided. The RF ablation probe includes a first tubular portion defining at least part of an internal cavity for circulating coolant through the cooled RF ablation probe; a second tubular portion surrounding the first tubular portion along a first portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; a third tubular portion surrounding the second tubular portion along a second portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; and a fourth tubular portion surrounding the third tubular portion along a third portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe. A gap is defined between the third tubular portion and the fourth tubular portion that can be filled with air or a vacuum can be formed in the gap to insulate one or more thermocouples attached to the fourth tubular portion from the coolant in the internal cavity.

Abstract: An inflatable bone tamp including a first balloon portion and a second balloon portion is provided. Each of the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion include interior cavities that can be filled with liquid, and these interior cavities communicate with one another via a valve. The valve can limit or restrict flow of the liquid between the cavities. As such, the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion can be sequentially inflated with the liquid through use of the valve.

Abstract: A surgical access system includes a cannula, a mapping spacer, and a trocar. The cannula includes a proximal base and an elongated cannula body extending distally therefrom. The mapping spacer is configured to releasably engage the proximal base and includes first and second uprights defining a slot therebetween. The trocar includes a proximal handle and an elongated trocar body extending distally therefrom to a distal cutting tip. The elongated trocar body is insertable through the mapping spacer and cannula. In a first orientation of the trocar relative to the mapping spacer, the proximal handle is configured to abut the first and second uprights to inhibit extension of the distal cutting tip from the proximal base beyond an initial position. In a second orientation of the trocar, the proximal handle is slidable through the slot to enable extension of the distal cutting tip distally towards an extended position.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a handle, an elongated body extending distally from the handle, and an end effector assembly selectively deployable relative to the elongated body. The end effector assembly includes a shaft having a curved configuration defining an inside portion and an outside portion. A plurality of electrode tines extends from the inside portion. At least one electrode tine and the shaft are configured to conduct RF energy therebetween and through tissue to treat tissue. Another end effector assembly includes a tongue having a concave side corresponding to an inside portion and a convex side corresponding to an outside portion. A plurality of electrodes is disposed on the concave side of the tongue and an insulating layer is disposed on the convex side of the tongue. At least one electrode and the tongue are configured to conduct RF energy therebetween and through tissue to treat tissue.

Abstract: A adaptor is used with a driver, a drill, and a cannula to facilitate removal of material from bone and placement of the cannula in the bone. The adaptor includes an end portion provided at a proximal first end that is configured to engage a portion of the drill; a body portion attached to the end portion and extending from the end portion toward a distal second end; a head portion provided at the distal second end and attached to the body portion; and a passageway for receiving the drill that extends through the adaptor. Furthermore, the head portion includes a distal surface and at least one coupler provided on or adjacent the distal surface for releasably engaging. the cannula.

Abstract: A kyphoplasty cannula includes a shaft extending between opposite first and second end surfaces. The shaft has an inner surface defining a lumen. The shaft has a first opening that extends through the first end surface and a second opening that extends through the second end surface. A scoop extends from the second end surface. The scoop has an arcuate inner surface that is continuous with the inner surface of the shaft an opposite outer surface. The scoop has a rib. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.