CPC A61B 18/1477 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1206 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00434 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00595 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00642 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00821 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1253 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1467 (2013.01); A61B 2090/376 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3762 (2016.02)] | 28 Claims |
1. A method of performing spinal radiofrequency neurotomy in a patient, the method comprising:
moving a tip of a needle to a first position proximate to a target nerve within the patient, the needle comprising an elongate member and a filament in a retracted position, the tip of the needle being electrically conductive and positioned at a distal end of the elongate member;
advancing the filament relative to the tip of the needle from the retracted position to a deployed position;
inserting a radiofrequency probe into the needle such that a distal end of the radiofrequency probe contacts the tip of the needle; and
after the filament has been advanced to the deployed position and the radiofrequency probe has been inserted into the needle, applying radiofrequency energy to the radiofrequency probe such that the radiofrequency energy is conducted away from the distal end of the radiofrequency probe by the tip of the needle and the filament, with the radiofrequency probe, the tip of the needle, and the filament operating in combination as an active radiofrequency electrode to ablate at least a portion of the target nerve.
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