A system for channeling a path into bone, comprising: an introducer comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel, wherein the central channel is disposed along a central axis of the introducer and extends from the proximal end toward the distal end, wherein the introducer comprises a distal opening at or near the distal end of the introducer, the distal opening being in communication with the central channel; a curved cannula sized to be received in said central channel and delivered from the proximal end toward said distal opening, wherein the curved cannula comprises a straight tubular body at a proximal end and a curved distal end, wherein the curved distal end is configured to be extended laterally outward from the distal opening in a curved path extending away from the introducer, wherein the curved cannula comprises a central passageway having a diameter configured to allow a treatment or diagnostic device to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path, and wherein the proximal end of the introducer comprises a handle comprising: a proximal recess, wherein the proximal recess is in communication with the central channel to allow reciprocation of the curved cannula within the central channel; and a lateral slot in communication with said proximal recess, the lateral slot extending radially outward from the proximal recess at a proximal surface of the handle, wherein the lateral slot is configured to allow insertion of the curved cannula such that a central axis of the straight tubular body is at an angle with respect to the central axis of the introducer when the curved distal end of the curved cannula is inserted into the proximal recess, wherein the lateral slot comprises a curvilinear bottom surface configured to allow the curved distal end of the curved cannula to be slideably advanced into the proximal recess and the central channel without having to pre-straighten the curved cannula, and wherein the curvilinear bottom surface comprises a radius substantially matching the radius of the curved distal end of the curved cannula, thereby promoting evenly distributed loading along the curved distal end while the curved distal end is advanced into the proximal recess and the central channel. an introducer comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel, wherein the central channel is disposed along a central axis of the introducer and extends from the proximal end toward the distal end, wherein the introducer comprises a distal opening at or near the distal end of the introducer, the distal opening being in communication with the central channel; a curved cannula sized to be received in said central channel and delivered from the proximal end toward said distal opening, wherein the curved cannula comprises a straight tubular body at a proximal end and a curved distal end, wherein the curved distal end is configured to be extended laterally outward from the distal opening in a curved path extending away from the introducer, wherein the curved cannula comprises a central passageway having a diameter configured to allow a treatment or diagnostic device to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path, and wherein the proximal end of the introducer comprises a handle comprising: a proximal recess, wherein the proximal recess is in communication with the central channel to allow reciprocation of the curved cannula within the central channel; and a lateral slot in communication with said proximal recess, the lateral slot extending radially outward from the proximal recess at a proximal surface of the handle, wherein the lateral slot is configured to allow insertion of the curved cannula such that a central axis of the straight tubular body is at an angle with respect to the central axis of the introducer when the curved distal end of the curved cannula is inserted into the proximal recess, wherein the lateral slot comprises a curvilinear bottom surface configured to allow the curved distal end of the curved cannula to be slideably advanced into the proximal recess and the central channel without having to pre-straighten the curved cannula, and wherein the curvilinear bottom surface comprises a radius substantially matching the radius of the curved distal end of the curved cannula, thereby promoting evenly distributed loading along the curved distal end while the curved distal end is advanced into the proximal recess and the central channel. a proximal recess, wherein the proximal recess is in communication with the central channel to allow reciprocation of the curved cannula within the central channel; and a lateral slot in communication with said proximal recess, the lateral slot extending radially outward from the proximal recess at a proximal surface of the handle, wherein the lateral slot is configured to allow insertion of the curved cannula such that a central axis of the straight tubular body is at an angle with respect to the central axis of the introducer when the curved distal end of the curved cannula is inserted into the proximal recess, wherein the lateral slot comprises a curvilinear bottom surface configured to allow the curved distal end of the curved cannula to be slideably advanced into the proximal recess and the central channel without having to pre-straighten the curved cannula, and wherein the curvilinear bottom surface comprises a radius substantially matching the radius of the curved distal end of the curved cannula, thereby promoting evenly distributed loading along the curved distal end while the curved distal end is advanced into the proximal recess and the central channel.