Methods and systems for spinal radio frequency neurotomy
US11806070B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2020 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3762
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems for spinal radio frequency neurotomy. Systems include needles capable of applying RF energy to target volumes within a patient. Such target volumes may contain target medial branch nerves along vertebrae or rami proximate the sacrum. Such procedures may be used to ablate or cauterize a portion of the targeted nerve, thus blocking the ability of the nerve to transmit signals to the central nervous system. Disclosed needles may be operable to asymmetrically, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the needle, apply RF energy. Such asymmetry facilitates procedures where a tip of the needle is placed proximate to anatomical structures for location verification. Then RF energy may be applied in a selectable direction relative to the needle tip to ablate volumes that include the targeted medial branch nerves or rami, thus denervating facet joints or the sacroiliac joint, respectively, to relieve pain in a patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.