Nerve and soft tissue ablation device having release instrument

摘要

Ablation devices useful for destroying nerve and soft tissue via a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate pain are provided. The device comprises a probe comprising an interior surface that defines an internal passage and an exterior surface comprising a tip. The internal passage has a filament comprising an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior surface of the probe so as to cool the exterior surface of the probe to a selected temperature. A release instrument is provided comprising a sheath that comprises an exterior surface and an interior surface configured for engagement with the probe. The probe tip is configured for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue by forming an ice ball and the release instrument is configured to release the probe tip from the ice ball. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.

主权项

1. An ablation device comprising:
a probe, the probe defining an axis and comprising an interior surface, the interior surface defining at least one internal passage, and an exterior surface, the exterior surface comprising a probe tip, wherein the at least one internal passage includes a filament, the filament being configured to release a pressurized material into the interior surface of the probe to cool the exterior surface of the probe to a selected temperature, the selected temperature forming an ice ball at the probe tip, the ice ball being adapted to ablate one of nerve and soft tissue, and wherein the at least one internal passage is configured to recirculate the pressurized material through the probe; and a release instrument, the release instrument comprising a sheath, the sheath including an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end, the distal end including a distal edge, and an interior surface, the interior surface of the sheath being configured for engagement with at least a portion of the outer surface of the probe, the distal edge of the release instrument being configured to release the ice ball from the probe tip.