Patent ID: 9173676
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for channeling a path into bone to a treatment location in the body of a patient, comprising: inserting an introducer into a region of the bone; wherein the introducer comprises a central channel and an axial opening at a distal tip of the introducer; delivering a cannula through said central channel and advancing a distal tip of the cannula to said axial opening; wherein the cannula comprises a deflectable distal portion with a preformed curve such that the deflectable distal portion straightens while being delivered through the introducer and curves upon exiting the axial opening at the distal tip of the introducer; extending the deflectable distal portion of the cannula out of the axial opening of the introducer to generate a curved path in the bone corresponding to the preformed curve of the deflectable distal portion; inserting a straight channeling stylet into the central passageway of the cannula; and advancing a distal tip of the straight channeling stylet be and the distal tip of the cannula, wherein the straight channeling stylet is flexibly deformable to navigate the cannula yet retain a straight form upon exiting the cannula, wherein an entire length of the straight channeling stylet is straight in an unconstrained configuration; and delivering a flexible radiofrequency energy delivery device through the central passageway in said cannula to the treatment location beyond the curved path.