Embodiments include a system comprising a cannula assembly configured for rotational fractional resection (RFR). The cannula assembly includes at least one cannula configured for rotational operation and enclosed in a depth guide configured to control an insertion depth of the at least one cannula. The depth guide includes a vacuum chamber configured to maintain vacuum to evacuate resected tissue generated by the RFR.

Embodiments include a system comprising a carrier and a cannula assembly. The carrier includes a proximal end and a distal end, and the proximal end is configured to removeably couple to a remote console. The cannula assembly, which is configured to removeably couple to the distal end of the carrier, is configured for rotational fractional resection (RFR) and includes at least one cannula rotatably coupled to the carrier and enclosed in a depth guide configured to control an insertion depth of the at least one cannula. The depth guide includes a vacuum chamber configured to form vacuum to evacuate resected tissue generated by the RFR.

Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).

Described is a medical instrument (1) for the minimally invasive removal of biological material from a human or animal body with a hollow needle (2), which, at a distal end (4) delimiting an interior (3) of the hollow needle (2), includes a peripheral edge (5) having a cutting edge, at least in sections, and with a cutting wire (6), which is arranged such that the cutting wire (6) can be moved relative to the hollow needle (2) at least partially outside the interior (3).

The technical solution described is characterized in that, in the interior (3) of the hollow needle (2), a guide element (7), slidable in the longitudinal direction of the hollow needle (2), is provided, at which the cutting wire (6) is fastened at least at one point and that a means of movement (8) for moving the cutting wire (6) is provided, through which a length of a part of the cutting wire (6) located outside the interior (3) can be changed in a targeted manner as a function of the actuation of a control element (11) acting on the means of movement (8).

Embodiments include a method comprising determining histological factors at a target site of a subject, and determining parameters of a fractional resection based on the histological factors. The parameters include dimensionality of a fractional field, orientation of the fractional field, resection depth, and a vector of directed closure. The method includes configuring a cannula assembly for the fractional resection that includes a procedure to generate a fractional field at the target site by fractionally resecting tissue according to the parameters. The fractional resection includes applying a cannula array of the cannula assembly to the target site, and rotating at least one cannula of the cannula array to circumferentially incise and remove a plurality of skin plugs in the fractional field.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

An optically transparent actuator apparatus is provided that includes an optically transparent bi-stable member including an optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layer. The bi-stable member is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus and from the second state to the first state in response to a second stimulus. Also, a display apparatus includes a plate member and an actuator assembly coupled to the plate member. The actuator assembly includes a number of optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers, wherein each of the optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus.

A medical dilator includes an elongate member having a proximal end portion, an opposed distal end portion, and a lumen extending through the elongate member from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A dilating tip is at the distal end portion. The dilating tip has a first end of enlarged cross-sectional area and tapers going in the distal direction to a second end of reduced cross-sectional area. At least a first electrode is associated with the dilating tip. An electrical conductor is electrically connected to the first electrode and extends proximally from the first electrode towards the proximal end portion for electrical connection with an electro anatomical mapping system.

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

An elongated medical needle defines an open lumen presenting a distal face configured to be maneuvered toward, and positionable proximate to, the biological feature of the patient. A lid assembly is configured to selectively cover, at least in part, the distal face of the open lumen. The lid assembly is also configured to selectively emit energy toward the biological feature.