A system for delivering energy to a patient's body includes a plurality of probes for delivering at least one of electrical or radiofrequency energy to the patient's body and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of probes and configured to present a display including a collapsible control panel that overlays a plurality of independent control panels each indicating one or more real-time operating parameters associated with the plurality of probes. The collapsible control panel includes a first graphical element for starting a treatment procedure for all of the plurality of probes simultaneously and a second graphical element that, when selected by the user, causes the display to dynamically update by closing the collapsible control panel to present third graphical elements in each of the plurality of independent control panels, the third graphical elements configured to start an individual treatment procedure for an associated one of the plurality of probes.

A tissue-spreader assembly is configured to be selectively inserted into a patient having a first biological tissue and a second biological tissue, and to be maneuvered proximate to the second biological tissue. The tissue-spreader assembly is also configured to selectively engage, at least in part, an area of the second biological tissue without engaging the first biological tissue. The tissue-spreader assembly is also configured to selectively spread, at least in part, the area of the second biological tissue, and maintain the area of the second biological tissue in a spread-apart condition after the tissue-spreader assembly, in use, selectively engages, at least in part, the area of the second biological tissue.

Disclosed herein is a tool assembly for use with an energy applicator having a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The tool assembly comprises a support structure to support the energy applicator, and a connector assembly arranged to engage and releasably lock the energy applicator to the support structure in a locked state. A drive system is coupled to the support structure and is configured to rotatably drive the shaft of the energy applicator about the axis. The drive system comprises a counterweighted clutch assembly.

Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed, having a first electrode having a planar face, a second electrode; an electrically insulative body, a fluid channel, a conductive wire, and a tubular seal. The tubular seal prevents saline from extending into a gap between the wire and the electrically insulative body of the instrument. The tubular seal is disposed around the wire, and extends between the wire and the body.

A medical device includes an electrode shaft and a tip. The electrode shaft is configured to deliver energy to a target site and includes an electrode shaft lumen configured to deliver fluid to the target site. The tip is coupled to a distal tip of the electrode shaft. The tip includes an inner portion of conductive material and an exterior layer of insulative material. The tip includes a tip lumen fluidly connected to the electrode shaft lumen and configured to deliver fluid to the target site.

A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

A plasma generator is described comprising an elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal end configured to be connectable to a source of an inert gas, a plasma generation tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate member, the plasma generation tip configured to be in electrical communication with a power source, and an activation switch configured to control generation of plasma at the plasma generation tip, wherein the plasma generator is configured to be operably connectable to a medical device.

An electrosurgical wand is disclosed for treating a plurality of tissues at a variety of tissue locations. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle on a proximal end and an elongate shaft with a combination active electrode at the distal end. The combination active electrode includes with a blade and screen portion; the blade portion extending along and laterally from the wand longitudinal axis, forming a dissecting tip. The screen portion extends from the blade portion at an obtuse angle and has at least one aspiration aperture through it. The wand also includes a second and third electrode, proximally spaced from the combination active electrode. The second electrode spans a portion of an outside surface of the wand adjacent the blade portion, while the third electrode spans a portion of the outside surface of the wand opposite the second electrode.

A device for dividing a fibrous structure comprising an expandable member positioned near the distal end of a catheter and in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter so that the expandable member can be biased between an inflated state and a deflated state to tension the fibrous structure, and electrosurgical elements situated on or proximate to an outer surface of the expandable member and configured to deliver electrical and thermal energy to the tensioned fibrous structure in a manner that results in division of the tensioned fibrous structure. A method for dividing a fibrous structure comprising positioning proximate the fibrous structure an expandable member having electrosurgical elements, expanding the expandable member outwards to tension the fibrous structure across the electrosurgical elements, and activating the electrosurgical elements to deliver energy to the tensioned fibrous structure to divide the tensioned fibrous structure.