Radio frequency catheter to target ligamentum flavum

Abstract

A device for performing a surgical procedure comprising an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passageway. A stylet is configured for moveable disposal within the passageway of the elongated shaft. The stylet includes a blunt distal tip configured for disposal outside the distal end of the elongated shaft and to prevent damage to adjacent tissue. An expandable member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the expandable member is disposed with the distal end of the elongated shaft and the distal end of the expandable member is connected to the distal end of the stylet. At least one electrode disposed with the expandable member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for performing a surgical procedure comprising:
 an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passageway;   a stylet configured for moveable disposal within the passageway of the elongated shaft and the stylet includes a blunt distal tip configured for disposal outside the distal end of the elongated shaft and to prevent damage to adjacent tissue;   an expandable member including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the expandable member is disposed with the distal end of the elongated shaft and the distal end of the expandable member is connected to the distal end of the stylet; and   at least one electrode disposed with the expandable member.   
     
     
         2 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member includes a wall defining a thickness and the at least one electrode is disposed within the thickness of the wall. 
     
     
         3 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member includes an outer surface and the at least one electrode is disposed on the outer surface. 
     
     
         4 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member includes an inner surface and the at least one electrode is disposed on the inner surface. 
     
     
         5 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , further including a cooling mechanism in communication with a liquid pumping system and configured for disposal with the expandable member. 
     
     
         6 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is configured to emit a RF signal to ablate tissue. 
     
     
         7 . A device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the RF signal is configured to be maintained at a subablative controlled temperature. 
     
     
         8 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the stylet is configured to expand and collapse the expandable member. 
     
     
         9 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is an expandable cage. 
     
     
         10 . A device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a balloon disposed within the expandable member and configured to distract an interlaminar space. 
     
     
         11 . A device for ablating tissue comprising:
 a cannula extending between a proximal end and a distal end and includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passageway;   a stylet configured for moveable disposal within the passageway of the cannula and the stylet includes a blunt distal tip configured for disposal outside the distal end of the cannula and to prevent damage to adjacent tissue;   an expandable cage including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the expandable cage is disposed with the distal end of the cannula and the distal end of the expandable cage is connected to the distal end of the stylet; and   at least one RF electrode disposed with the expandable cage.   
     
     
         12 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the expandable cage includes a wall defining a thickness and the at least one RF electrode is disposed within the thickness of the wall. 
     
     
         13 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the expandable cage includes an outer surface and the at least one RF electrode is disposed on the outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the expandable cage includes an inner surface and the at least one RF electrode is disposed on the inner surface. 
     
     
         15 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , further including a cooling mechanism in communication with a liquid pumping system and configured for disposal with the expandable cage. 
     
     
         16 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a RF signal emitted by the at least one RF electrode is configured to be maintained at a subablative controlled temperature. 
     
     
         17 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the stylet is configured to expand and collapse the expandable cage. 
     
     
         18 . A device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the device includes a balloon disposed within the expandable cage and configured to distract an interlaminar space. 
     
     
         19 . A method for ablating tissue at a surgical site comprising:
 providing a device comprising:
 a cannula extending between a proximal end and a distal end and includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passageway; 
 a stylet configured for moveable disposal within the passageway of the cannula and the stylet includes a blunt distal tip configured for disposal outside the distal end of the cannula and to prevent damage to adjacent tissue; 
 an expandable cage including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the expandable cage is disposed with the distal end of the cannula and the distal end of the expandable cage is connected to the distal end of the stylet; and 
 at least one RF electrode disposed with the expandable cage; 
 creating an access path to the surgical site; inserting the expandable cage into the surgical site and extending the stylet to expand the expandable cage; and emitting RF signals through the electrodes to thermally ablate tissue. 
   
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 19 , further including manipulating a balloon to move bone and create a void, wherein the balloon is disposed within the expandable cage and configured to distract an interlaminar space.