SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACK COAGULATION

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells, the method comprising:

providing a probe having a proximal end, an opposite distal end, a proximal first conductor, a distal second conductor, a proximal first insulator, and a distal second insulator,

the proximal first insulator extending from the proximal end to the proximal first conductor,

the distal second insulator extending from the proximal first conductor to the distal second conductor to space portions of the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor apart from one another, and

the distal second conductor forming a lumen extending through a portion of the probe to at least adjacent the distal end;

withdrawing the probe in increments through tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue;

for each of the increments, delivering energy in a bipolar manner between the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for the thermal coagulation necrosis of cells thereby and cooling the probe using a cooling system, the delivering of the energy and the cooling of the probe being at least partially concurrently performed, the energy being supplied to the probe by an electrosurgical generator that is electrically coupled to at least one of the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor, and the cooling system extending through and terminating within the lumen; and

deactivating the cooling system during withdrawal of the probe.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the path includes a tissue transition zone from one tissue type to another tissue type.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the energy is radiofrequency electrical energy.

24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising coupling the probe to an introducer, wherein the withdrawing of the probe includes withdrawing the probe and the introducer in incremental distances of about a length of the distal second conductor.

25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the distal second conductor is formed at least in part as an enclosed end portion of the probe surrounding the first lumen.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the lumen extends from at least adjacent the proximal end to the enclosed distal end portion.

27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein portions of the cooling system extend through the lumen from at least adjacent the proximal end of the probe.

28 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

providing a temperature of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe to the electrosurgical generator,

wherein the delivering of the energy to the probe is based on the temperature of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe.

29 . The method of claim 28 , further comprising:

measuring an impedance of at least a portion of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe; and

terminating the delivering of the energy when the impedance exceeds a threshold.

30 . A method for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells, the method comprising:

providing a probe having a proximal end, an opposite distal end, a proximal first conductor, a distal second conductor, a proximal first insulator, and a distal second insulator, the proximal first insulator spacing the proximal first conductor from the proximal end, and the distal second insulator spacing apart portions of the distal second conductor and the proximal first conductor,

the distal second conductor forming a lumen extending through a portion of the probe to at least adjacent the distal end;

withdrawing the probe in increments through tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue;

for each of the increments, at least partially concurrently delivering both energy in a bipolar manner between the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for the thermal coagulation necrosis of cells thereby and cooling the probe using a cooling system, the energy being supplied to the probe by an electrosurgical generator that is electrically coupled to at least one of the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor, and the cooling system extending through and terminating within the lumen; and

deactivating the cooling system during withdrawal of the probe, the probe being not actively cooled by the cooling system during the withdrawal of the probe.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the path includes a tissue transition zone from one tissue type to another tissue type.

32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the energy is radiofrequency electrical energy.

33 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising coupling the probe to an introducer, wherein the withdrawing of the probe includes withdrawing the probe and the introducer in incremental distances of about a length of the distal second conductor.

34 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the distal second conductor is formed at least in part as an enclosed end portion of the probe surrounding the first lumen.

35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the lumen extends from at least adjacent the proximal end to the enclosed distal end portion.

36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein portions of the cooling system extend through the lumen from at least adjacent the proximal end of the probe.

37 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:

providing a temperature of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe to the electrosurgical generator,

wherein the delivering of the energy to the probe is based on the temperature of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe.

38 . The method of claim 37 , further comprising:

measuring an impedance of at least a portion of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe; and

terminating the delivering of the energy when the impedance exceeds a threshold.

39 . A method for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells, the method comprising:

providing a probe having a proximal end, an opposite distal end, a proximal first conductor, a distal second conductor, a proximal first insulator, and a distal second insulator, the proximal first insulator spacing the proximal first conductor from the proximal end, and the distal second insulator spacing apart portions of the distal second conductor and the proximal first conductor,

the distal second conductor forming a lumen extending through a portion of the probe to at least adjacent the distal end;

withdrawing the probe in increments through tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue;

for each of the increments, at least partially concurrently delivering both energy in a bipolar manner between the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for the thermal coagulation necrosis of cells thereby and cooling the probe using a cooling system, the energy being supplied to the probe by an electrosurgical generator that is electrically coupled to at least one of the proximal first conductor and the distal second conductor, and the cooling system extending through and terminating within the lumen;

measuring a temperature of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe to confirm thermal coagulation necrosis of cells adjacent to the probe, the measuring of the temperature of the layer of tissue surrounding the probe being measured by a temperature sensor positioned on an exterior surface of the probe; and

deactivating the cooling system during withdrawal of the probe.

40 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising coupling the probe to an introducer, wherein the withdrawing of the probe includes withdrawing the probe and the introducer in incremental distances of about a length of the distal second conductor.