DEVICES AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS

1 . A method for stabilizing a substantially rigid medical instrument, the medical instrument contacting a patient's body at a point of contact, the method using a plurality of support members for stabilizing the medical instrument, each support member comprising an instrument end and a patient end and an elongate support member body extending therebetween, the method comprising:

independently coupling the instrument end of each of the plurality of support members to the medical instrument; and

independently attaching the patient end of each of the plurality of support members to a surface of the patient's body for stabilizing the medical instrument.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the instrument end of each of the plurality of support members is removably coupled to the medical instrument and selectively movably affixed thereto by frictional engagement.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical instrument is positioned at a desired location prior to attaching the patient ends, of the plurality of support members coupled to the medical instrument, to the patient's body.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support members are coupled to the medical instrument and attached to the patient's body in a tripodal configuration.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support members are coupled to the medical instrument and attached to the patient's body for maintaining a position of the one or more medical instruments during the course of a treatment procedure.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the treatment procedure comprises a neural ablation procedure.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the treatment procedure is performed in a sacroiliac region of the patient's body.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a probe and a cannula.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling one or more motion limiting members to the medical instrument for limiting longitudinal motion of one or more of the medical instrument and the plurality of support members coupled to the medical instrument.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the one or more motion limiting members is positioned at the surface of the patient's body for compressing tissue at the surface of the patient's body in order to further stabilize the medical instrument.

11 . A kit of parts for stabilizing a substantially rigid elongate medical instrument contacting a patient's body at a point of contact, the kit comprising:

at least one instrument support member comprising

an instrument end for removably coupling to the medical instrument, the instrument end at least partially defining an aperture sized for selectively movably affixing the instrument end to the medical instrument by frictional engagement,

an elongate support member body extending from the instrument end for stabilizing the instrument end, and

a patient end extending from the elongate support member body for removably attaching to the patient's body for anchoring the support member body; and

at least one motion limiting member for limiting longitudinal motion of one or more of the medical instrument and the instrument end of the support member.

12 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the support member body is sized such that the instrument end of the support member is operable to be coupled to the medical instrument at a distance from the point of contact for substantially limiting angular motion of the medical instrument about the point of contact.

13 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the support member body is sized such that the patient end of the support member is operable to be attached to the patient's body at a distance from the point of contact for allowing a plurality of medical instruments to be stabilized in close proximity to one another.

14 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the at least one motion limiting member comprises a substantially annular component sized to at least partially circumscribe a portion of the medical instrument for frictionally engaging the medical instrument.

15 . The kit of claim 14 , comprising a plurality of substantially annular components for frictionally engaging the medical instrument, wherein at least one of the plurality of substantially annular components is operable to be positioned along the medical instrument substantially adjacent the point of contact for limiting longitudinal motion of the medical instrument and wherein at least one other of the plurality of substantially annular components is operable to be positioned substantially adjacent the instrument end of the support member for limiting longitudinal motion of the instrument end of the support member along the medical instrument.

16 . The kit of claim 14 , wherein the motion limiting member further comprises a treatment composition.

17 . The kit of claim 14 , wherein the motion limiting member is substantially radiopaque.

18 . The kit of claim 14 , wherein one or more of the support member and the motion limiting member are color-coded based on a size thereof.

19 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein a length of the support member body is variable.

20 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the support member body is substantially flexible.

21 . A device for stabilizing a substantially rigid medical instrument contacting a patient's body at a point of contact, the device comprising:

an instrument end for removably coupling to the medical instrument, the instrument end at least partially defining an aperture sized for selectively movably affixing the instrument end to the medical instrument by frictional engagement;

a plurality of elongate support member bodies extending from the instrument end for stabilizing the instrument end; and

a patient end extending from each of the plurality of elongate support member bodies for removably attaching to the patient's body for anchoring the plurality of support member bodies.