US Patent 9131975 Nerve and soft tissue ablation device

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 outer tube having an exterior surface comprising a tip and an interior surface that defines an internal passage. An inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and comprises an interior surface that defines an internal passage having a filament disposed therein. The filament has an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior surface of the probe so as to cool the exterior surface of the outer tube to a selected temperature. Disposal of the inner tube within the internal passage of the outer tube produces an air gap that surrounds the exterior surface of the inner tube, and the tip is configured for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.