Patent ID: 11937869
Assignee: PANACEA SPINE, LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method of performing a rhizotomy on a target sensory nerve extending along a boney outer surface and innervating a joint, the method comprising:
providing an electrocautery probe having a distal tip;
creating an incision in a body of a patient;
directing the distal tip of the electrocautery probe through the incision;
navigating the distal tip of the electrocautery probe via medical imaging to a location on the boney outer surface adjacent the target sensory nerve;
delivering energy from the distal tip of the probe; and
while delivering energy, moving the distal tip of the probe in a plurality of directions to direct the energy at the target nerve over a surface area on the boney outer surface to cauterize the nerve, wherein the distal tip of the electrocautery probe is sufficiently stiff to resist deformation when moved over the surface area.