ABLATION DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS
Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.
1 . A system for intravertebral tissue ablation, the system comprising:
an elongate device comprising a distal portion configured for insertion into a vertebral body, the elongate device including a utility channel comprising an open proximal end and an open distal end; and
one or more components configured for insertion into the utility channel via the open proximal end;
wherein the system includes at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature adjacent the open distal end;
wherein, in an ablation configuration, the system comprises a first electrode and a second electrode disposed adjacent the open distal end, and
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are each configured for electrical connection to a power source such that, when the system is activated in the ablation configuration, energy flows between the first electrode and the second electrode.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the elongate device is configured to transition between a linear configuration and a non-linear configuration.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the distal portion of the elongate device comprises a plurality of slots.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein, in the non-linear configuration, the distal portion of the elongate device comprises a bend and wherein the slots are disposed on a convex side of the bend.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the distal portion.
6 . The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal portion.
7 . The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots have a non-linear cross-sectional profile.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more of the slots have a substantially ovoid cross-sectional profile.
9 . The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots comprise a slot base with a rounded shape.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more components includes a thermal energy delivery probe configured to deliver the electrical current along the utility channel from the power source to the first electrode and the second electrode.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein, in the ablation configuration, the first electrode and the second electrode are fixedly offset relative to one another.
12 . A system for intravertebral tissue ablation, the system comprising:
an elongate device comprising a distal portion including a plurality of slots, the distal portion configured for insertion into a vertebral body, the elongate device including a utility channel comprising an open proximal end and an open distal end; and
one or more components configured for insertion into the utility channel via the open proximal end;
wherein the system includes at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature adjacent the open distal end;
wherein the distal portion is transitionable between a linear configuration and a non-linear configuration,
wherein, in an ablation configuration, the system comprises a first electrode and a second electrode adjacent the open distal end, and
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are each configured for electrical connection to a power source such that, when the system is activated in the ablation configuration, energy flows between the first electrode and the second electrode.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the distal portion is articulable between the linear configuration and the non-linear configuration.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein one of more slots of the plurality of slots are perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the distal portion.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal portion.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein in the non-linear configuration, the distal portion of the elongate device comprises a bend and wherein the slots are disposed on a convex side of the bend.
17 . The system of claim 12 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots have a nonlinear cross-sectional profile.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more of the slots have a substantially ovoid cross-sectional profile.
19 . The system of claim 12 , wherein one or more slots of the plurality of slots comprise a slot base with a rounded shape.
20 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more components includes a thermal energy delivery probe configured to deliver the electrical current along the utility channel from the power source to the first electrode and the second electrode.
21 . The system of claim 12 , wherein in the ablation configuration the first electrode and the second electrode are fixedly offset relative to one another.
22 . A method of ablating tissue within a vertebral body, the method comprising:
obtaining an ablation system comprising:
an elongate device comprising a distal portion configured for insertion into a vertebral body, the elongate device including a utility channel comprising an open proximal end and an open distal end; and
one or more components configured for insertion into the utility channel,
curving the distal portion of the elongate device such that the distance between opposite sides of at least one slot disposed on the distal portion of the elongate device changes; and
delivering energy to the vertebral body.
23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
measuring a temperature at or near the open distal end; and
changing a flow rate of energy based upon the temperature measurement.