Windowed thermal ablation probe

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating an intraosseous nerve. The method includes positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of a vertebral body and into a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body. The hollow shaft includes an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall. An electrosurgical probe is advanced within the longitudinal bore from the proximal portion toward the distal portion. The electrosurgical probe includes a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe, wherein the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply. The first treatment element is slidably disposed within the longitudinal bore so that the first treatment element is advanced radially outward from the window and shaft to affect treatment of the intraosseous nerve within the cancellous bone region.

1 . A method for treating an intraosseous nerve, comprising:
 positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of a vertebral body and into a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body;   said hollow shaft comprising an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall;   advancing an electrosurgical probe within the longitudinal bore from the proximal portion toward the distal portion;   said electrosurgical probe comprising a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe;   the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply; and   wherein the first treatment element is slidably disposed within the longitudinal bore so that the first treatment element is advanced radially outward from the window and shaft to affect treatment of the intraosseous nerve within the cancellous bone region.   
   
   
       2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a sharp tipped distal end configured to penetrate the cortical bone of the vertebral body. 
   
   
       3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal bore comprises a ramped path leading to the annular window so that the first treatment element slideably advances outward from said window at an angle off-axis from said longitudinal bore. 
   
   
       4 . A method for treating an intraosseous nerve located within a cancellous bone region of a vertebral body, comprising:
 positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of the vertebral body and into the cancellous bone region;   said hollow shaft comprising an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall;   wherein the electrosurgical probe is configured to be advanced within the longitudinal bore;   said electrosurgical probe comprising a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe;   the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply;   advancing the electrosurgical probe distally within the longitudinal bore so as to sliedeably advance the first treatment element to a treatment location radially outward from the window; and   treating of the intraosseous nerve at the treatment location within the cancellous bone region.   
   
   
       5 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the shaft comprises a sharp-tipped distal end configured to penetrate the cortical bone of the vertebral body. 
   
   
       6 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the longitudinal bore comprises a ramped path leading to the annular window so that the first treatment element slideably advances outward from said window at an angle off-axis from said longitudinal bore.