Apparatus and method for coupling a medical device to a body surface

• US 20040077937A1
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Yarden, Orit
• Application Number:
  US10/277,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20040077937A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/386
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A device for pressing a medical operative element towards a body surface of a user is provided. The device includes a structure adapted for carrying the medical operative element, a restraining mechanism adapted to maintain the structure in a position, and a support. The support is secured to the structure at a position such that when a part of a body of the user is rested on the support, a force vector is created in the direction required to press the medical operative element towards the body surface of the user.

Claims

32. A method of pressing a medical operative element onto a body surface of a user using a device having a structure, a restraining mechanism, and a support, the method comprising:

securing the medical operative element to the structure;

placing the restraining mechanism at least partially around a body part of a user to secure the structure relative to the body surface of the user; and

resting a part of the body on the support to create a force in the direction required to press the operative element towards the body surface of the user.

1. A device for pressing a medical operative element onto a body surface of a user, the device comprising:

a structure adapted for carrying the medical operative element;

a restraining mechanism secured to the structure, the restraining mechanism adapted to substantially immobilize the structure relative to the user; and

a support secured to the structure at a position such that when a part of a body of the user is rested on the support, a force is created in the direction required to press the medical operative element towards the body surface of the user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a wire grid to which the medical operative element can be secured at different positions.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the operative element is detachably secured to the structure by a VELCRO connection.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a notched bar having one or more notches, the operative element configured to slide along the notched bar and is capable of being secured in a position by engaging the one or more notches.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising the operative element secured to the structure.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is a sensor.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the sensor is a thermal sensor.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the sensor is a cardiac signal sensor.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is a therapeutic device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the therapeutic device delivers heat energy to the user.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the therapeutic device delivers mechanical energy to the user.

12. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is adapted to transmit a signal to a receiver.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the receiver is coupled to an implant.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a wire coupled to the operative element, the wire configured for transmitting information from the operative element to the receiver.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising a wireless transmitter coupled to the operative element, the wireless transmitter configured for wirelessly transmitting information from the operative element to the receiver.

16. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is adapted to receive a signal from an implant.

17. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is adapted to send data to an implant.

18. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is adapted to energize an implant.

19. The device of claim 5, wherein the medical operative element is adapted to transmit and receive acoustic energy to and from an implant.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism is adjustable to accommodate a positioning of the medical operative element.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises one or more shoulder straps.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a chest strap.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a neck strap.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises one or more handles.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises one or more armrests.

26. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is adjustable in position relative to the structure.

27. The device of claim 1, further comprising a transport handle secured to the structure.

28. The device of claim 1, further comprising a dispensing unit for dispensing a coupling media to the body surface.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the dispensing unit comprising a compartment defining an interior for storing the coupling media, and one or more lumens that are in fluid communication with the interior of the compartment.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the dispensing unit further comprises a sensor, and the dispensing unit is adapted to automatically dispense the coupling fluid when the sensor senses a characteristic from the user.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the dispensing unit is mechanically coupled to the support, and the dispensing unit is adapted to automatically dispense the coupling fluid when the user rests a part of his/her body on the support.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the medical operative element securing is performed when the device is manufactured.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the medical operative element securing comprises attaching the medical operative element to a wire grid of the structure.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the medical operative element securing comprises attaching the medical operative element to the structure using a VELCRO connection.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the restraining mechanism placement comprises placing the restraining mechanism at least partially around a neck of the user.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the restraining mechanism placement comprises placing the restraining mechanism at least partially around a chest of the user.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the restraining mechanism placement comprises placing the restraining mechanism at least partially around a shoulder of the user.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein the body part resting comprises placing an arm of the user on the support.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein the body part resting comprises placing a forearm of the user on the support.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the body part resting comprises placing a hand of the user on the support.

36-1. The method of claim 32, further comprising applying a coupling media between the medical operative element and the body surface.

37-2. The method of claim 36, wherein the coupling media application is performed before the force is created.

38-3. The method of claim 36, wherein the coupling media application is performed automatically when the force is created.