Systems and methods for tissue ablation

Abstract

Systems and methods for tissue ablation. Systems include needles with deployable filaments capable of producing asymmetrical offset lesions at target volumes, which may include a target nerve. Ablation of at least a portion of the target nerve may inhibit the ability of the nerve to transmit signals, such as pain signals, to the central nervous system. The offset lesion may facilitate procedures by directing energy towards the target nerve and away from collateral structures. Example anatomical structures include lumbar, thoracic, and cervical medial branch nerves and rami and the sacroiliac joint.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 347,351, filed May 21, 2010, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 357,886, filed Jun. 23, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 357,894, filed Jun. 23, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The present application generally relates to thermal ablation systems and methods, and more particularly to systems and methods for radio frequency (RF) neurotomy, such as spinal RF neurotomy.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Thermal ablation involves the creation of temperature changes sufficient to produce necrosis in a specific volume of tissue within a patient. The target volume may be, for example, a nerve or a tumor. A significant challenge in ablation therapy is to provide adequate treatment to the targeted tissue while sparing the surroundin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention are described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages need to be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught or suggested herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Problems solved by technology

A significant challenge in ablation therapy is to provide adequate treatment to the targeted tissue while sparing the surrounding structures from injury.

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