Electro-nerve stimulator systems and methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus for electro-nerve stimulation, the apparatus comprising:
- a pulse generator, a transcutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator for delivering pulses from the pulse generator to a patient'"'"'s skin, and a percutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator and having an end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation site to receive pulses from the transcutaneous electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electro-nerve stimulator system includes a pulse generator for generating current pulses with a transcutaneous patch and percutaneous needle for delivering current pulses to selected stimulation sites. The stimulator is a small battery operated external device that allows adjustment of stimulation levels and interfaces, via a connector, to the trans-percutaneous cable. The transcutaneous electrode is attached to the skin distal from the desired stimulated nerve site. A percutaneous needle is inserted close to the internal nerve site. Stimulation current pulses are designed to flow between the transcutaneous electrode and the internal percutaneous needle. The field generated at the needle site causes the nerve to fire.
93 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electro-nerve stimulation, the apparatus comprising:
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a pulse generator, a transcutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator for delivering pulses from the pulse generator to a patient'"'"'s skin, and a percutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator and having an end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation site to receive pulses from the transcutaneous electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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13. An apparatus for electro-nerve stimulation, the apparatus comprising:
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a pulse generator having a first lead interface and a second lead interface, a first lead wire having a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically coupled to the first lead interface of the pulse generator, a transcutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the second end of the first lead wire for delivering current pulses from the pulse generator to a patient'"'"'s skin, a second lead wire having a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically coupled to the second lead interface of the pulse generator, and a percutaneous electrode having a first end electrically coupled to the second end of the second lead wire, and having a second end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation site to receive pulses from the transcutaneous electrode.
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17. A percutaneous electrode for electro-nerve stimulation, comprising:
an electrically-conductive shaft member having a first end configured to receive nerve stimulating pulses and having a second end configured for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation site, the second end of the shaft member terminating in an electrically conductive tip portion, and a portion of the second end of the shaft member proximate the tip portion being coated with an electrically-insulating layer to prevent substantial passage of pulses to tissue surrounding the stimulation site.
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22. A method for electro-nerve stimulation, comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus for electro-nerve stimulation, the apparatus including a pulse generator, a transcutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator for delivering pulses from the pulse generator to a patient'"'"'s skin, and a percutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator and having an end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation, placing the transcutaneous electrode on a patient'"'"'s skin distal to the stimulation site, penetrating the skin of a patient with the percutaneous electrode, and advancing the percutaneous electrode into proximity with the stimulation site, and activating the generator to generate pulses that traverse the internal stimulation site between the transcutaneous electrode and the percutaneous electrode.
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23. A kit for use with a pulse generator for electro-nerve stimulation, the kit comprising:
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a first lead wire having a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically coupled to the first lead interface of the pulse generator, a transcutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the second end of the first lead wire for delivering current pulses from the pulse generator to a patient'"'"'s skin, a second lead wire having a first end and a second end, the first end being electrically coupled to the second lead interface of the pulse generator, and a percutaneous electrode having a first end electrically coupled to the second end of the second lead wire, and having a second end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation site to receive pulses from the transcutaneous electrode.
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24. A kit for use with a pulse generator for electro-nerve stimulation, the kit comprising:
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a transcutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator for delivering pulses from the pulse generator to a patient'"'"'s skin, and a percutaneous electrode electrically coupled to the pulse generator and having an end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body in proximity to an internal stimulation site to receive pulses from the transcutaneous electrode.
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Specification