The Intracept® System

The innovations powering the procedure

The Intracept® System

The Intracept® System enables a physician to effectively target and ablate the basivertebral nerve to provide relief of vertebrogenic chronic lower back pain (CLBP). The Intracept System includes purpose-built Intracept® Access Instruments for creating a path to the basivertebral nerve (BVN), proprietary radiofrequency (RF) ablation technology for effectively ablating the BVN, and comprehensive training and case support.

Purpose-Built Access Instruments

The Intracept Access Instruments are engineered for precise targeting of the BVN through a traditional unipedicular approach. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic imaging, similar to many other minimally invasive spine procedures today.

The Intracept Access Instruments include the following:

  1. Straight Stylet
  2. Curved Cannula Assembly
  3. Bevel-Tipped Introducer
  4. Diamond-Tipped Introducer
instruments
Ablation Tech

Radiofrequency Ablation Technology

The Intracept® RF Generator and Intracept® RF Probe are specifically designed to ablate the BVN.

The RF technology includes:

  • Temperature-controlled bi-polar RF energy provides effective ablation zone formation
  • Flexible Intracept RF Probe allows optimal placement and targeting of the BVN
  • Intuitive step-by-step user interface simplifies set-up and delivery of ablation treatment
  • Real-time power management regulates temperature and ramp rate to ensure an efficient ablation
  • Two sets of ablation parameters enable treatment options based on Intracept RF Probe position

Comprehensive Training and Support

Physicians using the Intracept System are provided with comprehensive training and support. A full training program led by experts in the Intracept procedure, along with pre- and post-training resources and procedural support, enable physicians to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to perform the Intracept procedure safely and effectively, producing durable pain relief and consistent patient outcomes.

  • In-person comprehensive training program designed and delivered by experienced Intracept physicians
  • Full program development support, including materials to aid in patient identification, build procedural expertise, share best practices, and facilitate peer-to-peer collaboration
  • Complete case support from experienced Relievant clinical specialists committed to patient outcomes and safety
Training and Support

What Physicians Are Saying About Intracept

Brian Durkin

Brian Durkin, DO

Pain Institute of Long Island,
Rockville Center, NY

“If I see people with Modic changes I say, 'that's probably where your back pain is coming from. It's probably your vertebrogenic endplate changes that are causing your back pain.' So that's been a big change in our algorithm. We'll see patients for the first time and see if we can get them in the portal and treated.”

Kiran-Patel-image

Kiran V. Patel, MD

Director, Neurosurgical Pain, Lenox Hill Hospital, NY

“For the right patient with lower back pain, the Intracept procedure is life changing. Of all of the procedures that I perform, it has delivered the most dramatic results for my patients.”

Casey Muir

Casey Muir, MD

Southwest Spine and Pain Center,
St George, UT

“This is an exciting new treatment option for a type chronic low back pain that we haven't had a solution. Intracept treats focal low back pain that occurs from degeneration of the intervertebral discs causing vertebrogenic back pain. This pain stays in the low back and generally gets worse with bending forward. If you have these back pain features Intracept may be the solution to your back pain.”

David Tran

David Tran, MD

Axion Spine & Neurosurgery,
Alpharetta, GA

“Intracept is an innovative, safe, and highly effective treatment for chronic low back pain. Patients can see dramatic, lasting improvements from this minimally invasive procedure, with little post-procedure pain and quick recovery time.”

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Take the Next Step

Find a Doctor

In a few steps, see if you may benefit from the procedure, and connect with an Intracept-trained physician near you.

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Join the Intracept Physician Community

Add the Intracept Procedure to your practice, gaining the clinical support, peer expertise, and program development resources needed to bring Living Proof to your patients.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and considerations associated with the Intracept Procedure. See important safety information below.

Patients: See the Indications & Risks Involved

The Intracept® Procedure is indicated for patients who have had chronic low back pain for at least six months, who have tried conservative care for at least six months, and whose MRI shows features consistent with Modic changes – indicating damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation.

Not every patient who meets these criteria is a candidate for the Intracept Procedure, however – in fact, there are specific characteristics indicating a patient should not be considered for the procedure. These contraindications include being pregnant, having weakened cardiac or pulmonary function, having an implanted electronic medical device in the body (such as a pacemaker or defibrillator), being diagnosed with a systemic or local infection, or having an anatomy that could be damaged unintentionally while ablating the basivertebral nerve (based on your physicians’ clinical review). The Intracept Procedure is also contraindicated in patients who are skeletally immature – which generally means individuals under the age of 18 are not candidates. There are also certain risks and precautions regarding the procedure which you should be aware of before proceeding.

Talk with your doctor about what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients for the Intracept Procedure – as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure.

Physicians: See Indications, Contraindications, and Risks

The Intracept Procedure Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is intended to be used in conjunction with radiofrequency (RF) generators for the ablation of basivertebral nerves of the L3 through S1 vertebrae for the relief of chronic low back pain of at least six months duration that has not responded to at least six months of conservative care, and is also accompanied by features consistent with Type 1 or Type 2 Modic changes on an MRI such as inflammation, edema, vertebral endplate changes, disruption and fissuring of the endplate, vascularized fibrous tissues within the adjacent marrow, hypointensive signals (Type 1 Modic change), and changes to the vertebral body marrow including replacement of normal bone marrow by fat, and hyperintensive signals (Type 2 Modic change).

Use of the Intracept Procedure Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is contraindicated in:

  • Patients with severe cardiac or pulmonary compromise
  • Patients where the targeted ablation zone is < 10 mm away from a sensitive structure not intended to be ablated, including the vertebral foramen (spinal canal)
  • Patients with active systemic infection or local infection in the area to be treated
  • Patients who are pregnant
  • Skeletally immature patients (generally < 18 years of age)
  • Patients with active implantable pulse generators (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators)
  • Situations where unintended tissue damage may result, based on the clinical assessment by the physician
  • Application with electrosurgical instruments NOT tested and specified for use with the Relievant RFG

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and considerations associated with the Intracept Procedure. To review the contraindications, warnings, and precautions click here.