Methods of therapeutically heating a vertebral body to treat back pain
First Claim
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1. A method of therapeutically heating a vertebral body to treat back pain, comprising:
- identifying a vertebral body for treatment, said vertebral body comprising an outer cortical bone region and an inner cancellous bone region, and a basivertebral nerve extending from the outer cortical bone region to within the inner cancellous bone region;
identifying a treatment zone within the inner cancellous bone region of said vertebral body;
inserting a cannula having a curved bore through the outer cortical bone region of the vertebral body and into the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body;
inserting a flexible radiofrequency energy delivery probe having two electrodes within the cannula,wherein the cannula is shaped so as to guide said energy delivery probe towards a midline of the vertebral body;
advancing a distal end of said energy delivery probe out of a distal opening of said cannula and into the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body;
positioning the two electrodes of said energy delivery probe within or proximate the treatment zone,wherein the step of positioning the two electrodes of said energy delivery probe within or proximate the treatment zone comprises positioning a first electrode of the two electrodes on a first side of the vertebral body and positioning a second electrode of the two electrodes on a second side of the vertebral body; and
activating the two electrodes to deliver radiofrequency energy within the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body sufficient to denervate the basivertebral nerve.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The systems may include energy delivery probes and bone channeling instruments.
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18 Claims
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1. A method of therapeutically heating a vertebral body to treat back pain, comprising:
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identifying a vertebral body for treatment, said vertebral body comprising an outer cortical bone region and an inner cancellous bone region, and a basivertebral nerve extending from the outer cortical bone region to within the inner cancellous bone region; identifying a treatment zone within the inner cancellous bone region of said vertebral body; inserting a cannula having a curved bore through the outer cortical bone region of the vertebral body and into the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body; inserting a flexible radiofrequency energy delivery probe having two electrodes within the cannula, wherein the cannula is shaped so as to guide said energy delivery probe towards a midline of the vertebral body; advancing a distal end of said energy delivery probe out of a distal opening of said cannula and into the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body; positioning the two electrodes of said energy delivery probe within or proximate the treatment zone, wherein the step of positioning the two electrodes of said energy delivery probe within or proximate the treatment zone comprises positioning a first electrode of the two electrodes on a first side of the vertebral body and positioning a second electrode of the two electrodes on a second side of the vertebral body; and activating the two electrodes to deliver radiofrequency energy within the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body sufficient to denervate the basivertebral nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of therapeutically heating a vertebral body to treat back pain, comprising:
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inserting two electrodes into the vertebral body, the vertebral body having an outer cortical bone region, an inner cancellous bone region, and a basivertebral nerve; identifying a residence zone of the basivertebral nerve within the inner cancellous bone region of the vertebral body, the residence zone being located within a posterior section of the vertebral body; positioning the two electrodes within or proximate the residence zone of the basivertebral nerve, wherein the step of positioning the two electrodes within or proximate the residence zone comprises positioning a first electrode of the two electrodes on a first side of the vertebral body and positioning a second electrode of the two electrodes on a second side of the vertebral body; and generating a heating zone between the two electrodes to heat the basivertebral nerve. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification