A surgical instrument includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite proximal and distal end surfaces. The distal end surface includes a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity includes a first light bulb disposed therein. The second cavity includes a second light bulb disposed therein. A shaft includes opposite proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is coupled to the body. A blade is coupled to the distal end. The first light bulb is an ultraviolet (UV) light bulb and the second light bulb is configured to emit visible light. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.

An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft. The housing encapsulates a pair of elongated ground plates and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house first and second ends of a wire-like active electrode. The wire-like active electrode operably couples at the first end to the active electrical connector. The elongated ground plates each include a tip at a distal end thereof configured to mutually support a donut-style insulator configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage the second end of the wire-like active electrode. The tensioning mechanism cooperates with a tensioning tool to tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.

System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a distal opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curved cannula sized to be received in the central channel, and having a curved distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the distal opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curved cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path.

An endoscopic needle knife may include a collet coupled to a distal end of a tubular member of the needle knife. A cutting wire may be disposed within a cutting wire lumen of the tubular member and a central lumen of the collet. An inner surface of the collet body may create a frictional force between the cutting wire and the inner surface so that the cutting wire is resistant to longitudinal movement relative to the tubular member caused by external forces. The frictional force may also be less than a longitudinal force exerted on the cutting wire by a handle assembly or other control mechanism that is used to longitudinally move the cutting wire within the tubular member and the collet.

An electrosurgical device: (a) power cable comprising: (i) a primary lead that connects to a first pole of an AC power source and (ii) one or more auxiliary leads; wherein the power cable includes a dual core having the primary lead on a first side and the one or more auxiliary leads on a second side with a web being located between the first side and the second side.

Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a single surgical instrument configured to grasp, seal, and/or cut tissue through application of therapeutic energy, and also detect nerves through application of non-therapeutic electrical energy. A medical device may include two jaws at an end effector, used to apply therapeutic energy and to perform surgical procedures. The therapeutic energy may be in the form of ultrasonic vibrations or higher voltage electrosurgical energy. One of the jaws may be configured to cut tissue through application of the blade. In addition, one or both of the two jaws may be configured to apply nontherapeutic energy for nerve stimulation probing. The application of therapeutic energy may be disabled while the nontherapeutic nerve stimulation energy is applied, and vice versa. The nontherapeutic nerve stimulation energy may be applied to the use of one or more probes positioned near one or both of the jaws.

An electrosurgical dissection apparatus is disclosed, and includes a thermally insulating body, a thermally conductive insert, at least one active electrode, and at least one return electrode. The at least one active electrode is disposed on the thermally conductive insert, and the at least one return electrode is spaced from the at least one active electrode by a portion of the thermally insulating body. The thermally conductive insert is configured to cauterize tissue dissected by radiofrequency energy passing from the at least one active electrode to the at least one return electrode.

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 electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft, the housing encapsulating an elongated return electrode and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house a wire-like active electrode. The elongated return electrode includes a clevis at a distal end thereof and operably engages to the return electrical connector at a proximal end thereof. The wire-like active electrode operably engages at one end to the active electrical connector. A donut-like insulator is operably engaged to the clevis of the elongated return electrode and is configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage an opposite end of the wire-like electrode and tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.

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.