US Patent 9186197 Nerve and soft tissue ablation device for treating pain

Ablation kits useful for destroying nerve and soft tissue via a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate pain are provided. The device comprises a probe having an exterior and an interior. The exterior comprises a tip and the interior defines a passage having a filament and insulation disposed therein. The filament has an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior of the probe so as to cool the tip to a selected temperature to ablate nerve and/or soft tissue. A bone piercing instrument is provided that is configured to pierce bone so as to allow entry of the probe into the bone. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.