Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A novel medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A method of treating spinal tissue of a patient's body is disclosed, the method using a system comprising an energy source and first and second internally-cooled probe assemblies, wherein each of the probe assemblies comprises an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source. The method comprises: inserting the energy delivery devices of the first and second internally-cooled probe assemblies into spaced-apart treatment sites for the spinal tissue; delivering energy from the energy source to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue; delivering a cooling fluid to the energy delivery devices; and controlling the delivery of energy and the delivery of the cooling fluid to the energy delivery devices such that the lesion extends between the energy delivery devices.

Abstract: A treatment method is disclosed for treating a bodily tissue utilizing one or more steps of removal of material as well as one or more steps of energy delivery in order to effectively treat the bodily tissue. These mechanisms of treatment may beneficially be used to induce separate treatment effects, for example to treat both the symptoms and the underlying cause of a specific pathological condition. In addition, a specific application of the inventive method is described for using the inventive method to treat an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of a cannula during delivery of electrical energy to neural structures. The apparatus includes a cannula operable to deliver electrical current where a portion of the cannula is electrically insulated and a portion of the cannula is exposed and electrically conductive. The cannula further includes a radiopaque marker located to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the electrically exposed region by allowing it to be more clearly delineated using fluoroscopy or other radiographic imaging techniques. The cannula may be used to treat pain by delivering energy to a neural structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of a cannula during delivery of electrical energy proximate to bodily tissue, e.g. neural structures. The apparatus optionally includes a cannula operable to deliver electrical current where a portion of the cannula is electrically insulated and a portion of the cannula is exposed and electrically conductive. The cannula further includes a radiopaque marker to identify a specific portion of the cannula, for example to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the electrically exposed region, by allowing it to be more clearly delineated using fluoroscopy or other radiographic imaging techniques. The radiopaque marker is optionally tapered in order to reduce the force required to insert a cannula comprising a radiopaque marker into the patient's body.

Abstract: A method of treating spinal tissue of a patient's body is disclosed, the method using a system comprising an energy source and first and second internally-cooled probe assemblies, wherein each of the probe assemblies comprises an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source. The method comprises: inserting the energy delivery devices of the first and second internally-cooled probe assemblies into spaced-apart treatment sites for the spinal tissue; delivering energy from the energy source to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue; delivering a cooling fluid to the energy delivery devices; and controlling the delivery of energy and the delivery of the cooling fluid to the energy delivery devices such that the lesion extends between the energy delivery devices.

Abstract: A medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two internally-cooled probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a cannula comprising an elongate shaft comprising a distal region and a proximal region and defining a lumen therebetween, and further comprising a wall defining at least one lateral aperture therethrough and a distal end defining at least one distal aperture. The distal region comprises an electrically exposed and conductive distal tip and the outer surface of the cannula between the distal tip and the proximal region is non-conductive.

Abstract: A treatment method is disclosed for treating a bodily tissue utilizing one or more steps of removal of material as well as one or more steps of energy delivery in order to effectively treat the bodily tissue. These mechanisms of treatment may beneficially be used to induce separate treatment effects, for example to treat both the symptoms and the underlying cause of a specific pathological condition. In addition, a specific application of the inventive method is described for using the inventive method to treat an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A novel medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: A medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two internally-cooled probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: A novel medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of a cannula during delivery of electrical energy proximate to bodily tissue, e.g. neural structures. The apparatus optionally includes a cannula operable to deliver electrical current where a portion of the cannula is electrically insulated and a portion of the cannula is exposed and electrically conductive. The cannula further includes a radiopaque marker to identify a specific portion of the cannula, for example to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the electrically exposed region, by allowing it to be more clearly delineated using fluoroscopy or other radiographic imaging techniques. The radiopaque marker is optionally tapered in order to reduce the force required to insert a cannula comprising a radiopaque marker into the patient's body.