Patent ID: 7702397

Claim:
A surgical apparatus which treats tissue, comprising: an elongated probe member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated probe member comprising an internal lumen and a guidable region adjacent the distal end, the guidable region comprising a plurality of undulating grooves which define a non-linear path along the outer wall in communication with the internal lumen and being dimensioned to facilitate bending of the guidable region in at least one of a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis, the elongated probe member being adapted for connection to a thermal energy source which provides thermal energy to tissue; and a cannula which facilitates introduction of the elongated probe member into the intervertebral disc, the cannula comprising a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen which receives the elongated probe member, the elongated probe member being advanceable within the lumen.