What Is the Boston Scientific Intracept System?

The Boston Scientific Intracept System is a technology used to perform basivertebral nerve ablation — a single procedure that treats the basivertebral nerve within the vertebral body.

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What You'll Learn

Approx. 5–7 min read
  • What the Intracept System is
  • How it is used to perform BVNA
  • The general procedure workflow, step by step
  • Why it is a technology — not a separate diagnosis

Boston Scientific Recognition

An Intracept Center of Excellence

Jeffery J. Rowe, MD has earned Boston Scientific's Center of Excellence recognition for the Intracept Procedure.

The designation recognizes physicians who have achieved a high level of training and experience with the Intracept Procedure and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to maintaining proficiency.

Recognition is awarded by Boston Scientific through its Intracept Center of Excellence program.

Boston Scientific Intracept Center of Excellence seal
Boston Scientific Intracept RF generator and probe, used to perform BVNA.
Boston Scientific
A System Used to Perform BVNA

The Intracept System

The Boston Scientific Intracept System, a technology used to perform basivertebral nerve ablation. It comprises the access instruments and a radiofrequency generator that allow a physician to reach and treat the basivertebral nerve within the vertebral body.

A technology used to perform BVNA — not a separate procedure.

  • Purpose: used to perform basivertebral nerve ablation.
  • Role in BVNA: helps the physician reach and treat the nerve pathway.
  • General workflow: minimally invasive and image-guided.
  • Educational media provided by Boston Scientific.
Boston Scientific Intracept — lateral view of the spine highlighting the basivertebral nerve.
How It Is Used

How the Intracept System Performs BVNA

Basivertebral nerve ablation treats the basivertebral nerve where it sits inside the vertebral body. The Intracept System gives the physician an image-guided path to that nerve and a way to deliver radiofrequency energy to it.

  • The physician confirms BVNA is appropriate before any system is chosen.
  • Access instruments create an image-guided path to the basivertebral nerve.
  • A radiofrequency probe is placed at the trunk of the nerve.
  • Radiofrequency energy ablates the targeted nerve pathway.
Step by Step

The Procedure Workflow

A general, image-by-image walkthrough provided by Boston Scientific. This is educational and not a substitute for your physician's guidance.

Intracept procedure step 1: the introducer cannula advanced through the pedicle toward the basivertebral nerve, under fluoroscopic guidance.
1. Access the pedicle. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the Intracept introducer cannula is advanced through the pedicle.
Intracept procedure step 2: the curved cannula creating a channel toward the trunk of the basivertebral nerve.
2. Create the channel. The curved cannula is used to create a channel to the trunk of the basivertebral nerve.
Intracept procedure step 3: the RF probe inserted along the curved path and placed at the trunk of the basivertebral nerve.
3. Place the RF probe. The RF probe is inserted along the curved path and placed at the trunk of the basivertebral nerve.
Intracept procedure step 4: the RF generator delivers radiofrequency energy that ablates the basivertebral nerve.
4. Ablate the nerve. The RF generator delivers radiofrequency energy that ablates the basivertebral nerve.

Illustrations © Boston Scientific — physician-authorized educational use.

Provided by Boston Scientific

Educational Media

The following educational material is provided by Boston Scientific. It is included as supplied educational media and does not represent a recommendation of one technology over another.

Illustration of the Intracept procedure: the probe reaching the basivertebral nerve within the vertebral body, with the ablation target highlighted.
The procedure targets the basivertebral nerve within the vertebral body. © Boston Scientific — physician-authorized educational use.
Boston Scientific Intracept access instruments (introducer, cannula, stylet, and RF probe).
Intracept access instruments, used to reach the basivertebral nerve. © Boston Scientific — physician-authorized educational use.
Boston Scientific Intracept — lateral view of the spine highlighting the basivertebral nerve.
Intracept procedure overview graphic. © Boston Scientific — physician-authorized educational use.
Boston Scientific Intracept physician animation showing the BVNA procedure.

Video accessibility. Reviewed captions are not yet available for this supplied video. A reviewed transcript or descriptive text alternative is not yet available. The written procedure walkthrough is related education, not a transcript or equivalent alternative to this video.

Intracept procedure video. © Boston Scientific — physician-authorized use.
In Plain Terms

What This Means for a Patient

If your physician determines that basivertebral nerve ablation is appropriate, the Intracept System is one of the tools they may use to perform it.

Minimally invasive

The procedure is performed through a small access path, guided by imaging.

Targets one nerve

Treatment is focused on the basivertebral nerve inside the vertebral body.

A tool, not a decision

The system is how the procedure is performed — not whether it is right for you.

Physician-led

Your physician decides whether BVNA is appropriate before any system is chosen.

An Important Distinction

A Technology, Not a Diagnosis

The Intracept System is a technology used to perform basivertebral nerve ablation — it is not a separate procedure or a separate diagnosis.

Diagnosis and patient selection always come first. Whether basivertebral nerve ablation is appropriate is determined by your physician based on your history, examination, imaging, and overall clinical evaluation — independent of which system is used.

Naming the system does not change the procedure. BVNA is the treatment; the Intracept System is one way a physician can perform it.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Educational answers about the Boston Scientific Intracept System.

What is the Boston Scientific Intracept System?

Is the Intracept System a different procedure than BVNA?

Does using the Intracept System change my diagnosis?

Will my physician use the Intracept System?

Continue Your Learning

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Learn at your own pace.

The procedure — not the brand — is what matters most. When you are ready, an evaluation is the next step.