Systems and methods for ablating discrete motor nerve regions
First Claim
1. A motor nerve tissue ablation system comprisingan operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, the operative element including at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined tissue region, anda stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
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Abstract
Systems and method ablate motor nerve tissue by inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region. The systems and methods apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element. Application of the nerve ablation energy can permanently eliminate the function of a targeted motor nerve branch, to thereby inactivate a selected muscle. The muscle inactivation may, e.g., treat dystonias and other hyperfunction neuromuscular dysfunctions in the face and neck, such as torticollis, blepharospasm, and uncontrolled grimacing. The muscle inactivation may also provide cosmetic results, to eliminate or prevent aesthetically displeasing skin furrows, frowning wrinkles, or neck bands, which can arise from normal muscle contraction or prolonged exposure of the face to the sun.
318 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A motor nerve tissue ablation system comprising
an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, the operative element including at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined tissue region, and a stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
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8. A facial nerve ablation system comprising
an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator and adapted to apply ablating energy in a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate a targeted facial nerve branch, the operative element includes at least two spaced apart bi-polar needle electrodes spanning between them the defined percutaneous tissue region, and a stimulator to apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate the targeted facial nerve branch prior to ablation by the operative element.
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15. A method for ablating motor nerve tissue comprising the steps of
inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue, and applying stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element.
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16. A method for ablating a facial nerve branch comprising the steps of
inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region to ablate targeted facial nerve branch, and applying stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate the targeted facial nerve branch prior to ablation by the operative element.
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17. A method for ablating targeted motor nerve tissue comprising the steps of
inserting an operative element into a defined percutaneous tissue region, applying to the defined percutaneous tissue region stimulant energy to affect targeted motor nerve tissue, observing a positive result when targeted motor nerve tissue is present in the defined percutaneous tissue region and a negative result when targeted motor nerve tissue is not present in the defined percutaneous tissue region, and when the positive result is observed, applying ablating energy through the operative element to ablate targeted motor nerve tissue.
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18. A method for ablating a targeted facial nerve branch comprising the steps of
inserting an operative element into a defined percutaneous tissue region, applying to the defined percutaneous tissue region stimulant energy to affect the targeted facial nerve branch, observing a positive result when targeted facial nerve branch is present in the defined percutaneous tissue region and a negative result when targeted facial nerve branch is not present in the defined percutaneous tissue region, and when the positive result is observed, applying ablating energy through the operative element to ablate the targeted facial nerve branch.
Specification