Abstract: A tool arrangement for forming a tunnel in a vertebra to perform nerve ablation includes a tamp having a distal end portion that includes a tip for creating the tunnel in the vertebra and a curvable portion to direct the tip along a curved path within the vertebra; a first cannula including a cannula body that is straight along an entire length of the cannula body and configured to receive the curvable portion of the tamp and straighten the curvable portion; and a tool hub including a stationary cannula attachment coupled to the first cannula and a movable head coupled to the tamp and configured to move toward or away from the stationary cannula attachment to extend or retract, respectively, the curvable portion of the tamp from or into, respectively, the first cannula.

Abstract: An RF ablation cannula includes a cannula shaft; an active tip as part of, or coupled to, the cannula shaft; a cannula hub coupled to the cannula shaft, the cannula hub including at least a first cannula contact and a second cannula contact, wherein the first cannula contact is electrically coupled to the active tip; and a wire extending along the cannula shaft and attached to the active tip or cannula shaft to form a thermocouple, wherein the wire is electrically coupled to the second cannula contact. As an addition to, or an alternative to, the cannula contacts, the cannula hub can include a connector with connector pins or contacts coupled to the active tip and wire.

Abstract: An integrated cannula/RF electrode for an RF ablation system includes a cannula including a cannula hub and a shaft extending from the cannula hub, wherein the shaft includes a distal portion; an RF electrode including a distal portion, wherein at least a portion of the RF electrode is permanently disposed within the cannula; and a deployment mechanism coupled to the RF electrode and either coupled to the cannula hub or extending from the cannula hub, wherein the deployment mechanism includes an actuator coupled to the RF electrode and is configured to extend the distal portion of the RF electrode out of the distal portion of the shaft of the cannula by actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: A RF ablation system includes a RF electrode coupleable to a RF generator for delivering RF energy from the RF generator to patient tissue for ablation, the RF electrode including an electrode hub, an electrode shaft extending from the electrode hub, and a cable extending from the electrode hub. The RF ablation system also includes an in-line controller coupleable to the RF generator for controlling the delivering of the RF energy from the RF generator along the RF electrode, wherein the in-line controller is configured for placement nearer the electrode hub than the RF generator and includes at least one actuator for controlling the delivering of the RF energy.

Abstract: A medical device kit includes a tunneling tool configured to form a tunnel through patient tissue for receiving an electrical stimulation lead. The tunneling tool includes a tunneling-tool body having an elongated shape with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tunneling-tool body is formed from a material configured to be manually bent prior to insertion into patient tissue to conform to an anatomical contour through which the tunnel is to extend. A blunt tip is disposed at the distal portion. The blunt tip is configured to tunnel through patient tissue. A tunneling-tool suture-receiving element is disposed along the proximal portion of the tunneling-tool body. The tunneling-tool suture-receiving element is configured to receive a suture extendable along the tunnel formed by the tunneling tool.

Abstract: A lead anchor includes a lead passageway defined along a central body and configured to receive a lead. The central body includes a twistable region that reversibly twists and stretches. First and second hubs are coupled to opposing ends of the central body. The first hub is rotatable relative to the second hub about the central body. Rotation of the first hub relative to the second hub causes twisting of the twistable region. When a lead is inserted into the lead passageway and the twistable region is twisted into a twisted configuration the central body compresses against the lead to retain the lead within the lead passageway. A locking mechanism transitions the hubs between an unlocked position, where the first hub is rotatable relative to the second hub, and a locked position, where the hubs resist rotation relative to one another.

Abstract: A medical device kit includes a tunneling tool configured to form a tunnel through patient tissue for receiving an electrical stimulation lead. The tunneling tool includes a tunneling-tool body having an elongated shape with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tunneling-tool body is formed from a material configured to be manually bent prior to insertion into patient tissue to conform to an anatomical contour through which the tunnel is to extend. A blunt tip is disposed at the distal portion. The blunt tip is configured to tunnel through patient tissue. A tunneling-tool suture-receiving element is disposed along the proximal portion of the tunneling-tool body. The tunneling-tool suture-receiving element is configured to receive a suture extendable along the tunnel formed by the tunneling tool.

Abstract: A lead introducer includes a needle assembly and a hub assembly. The needle assembly includes an outer needle defining an outer-needle open channel; and an inner needle disposed within the outer needle and defining an inner-needle open channel. The inner needle is rotatable independently within the outer needle to transition the needle assembly between open and closed positions. When in the open position, the inner-needle open channel is rotationally-aligned with the outer-needle open channel to form a separation channel for separating a lead from the needle assembly. When in the closed position, the inner-needle open channel is rotationally-offset from the outer-needle open channel to form a lead lumen. The hub assembly includes an outer-needle hub coupled to the outer needle and an inner-needle hub coupled to the inner needle.

Abstract: A lead anchor includes a lead passageway defined along a central body and configured to receive a lead. The central body includes a twistable region that reversibly twists and stretches. First and second hubs are coupled to opposing ends of the central body. The first hub is rotatable relative to the second hub about the central body. Rotation of the first hub relative to the second hub causes twisting of the twistable region. When a lead is inserted into the lead passageway and the twistable region is twisted into a twisted configuration the central body compresses against the lead to retain the lead within the lead passageway. A locking mechanism transitions the hubs between an unlocked position, where the first hub is rotatable relative to the second hub, and a locked position, where the hubs resist rotation relative to one another.