Radiopaque electrical needle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A needle for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
- an electrically insulated shaft having an electrically conductive tip portion; and
a radiopaque marker associated with at least one of the shaft and the tip portion.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of needles during delivery of high frequency signals near a neural structure to form lesions. The apparatus includes a needle that can deliver electrical current where a portion of the needle is electrically insulated and a portion of the needle is exposed and electrically active, thereby causing lesions. The needle includes radiopaque marking to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the exposed region, allowing it to be better discerned in the body under fluoroscopy.
87 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A needle for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
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an electrically insulated shaft having an electrically conductive tip portion; and
a radiopaque marker associated with at least one of the shaft and the tip portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A needle for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
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an electrically insulated hollow shaft having an electrically conductive tip portion; and
a stylet having a radiopaque marker, the stylet operable to be located in the needle during insertion and operable to be removed therefrom after insertion.
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15. An apparatus for delivering high frequency electrical current to neural structures comprising:
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an energy source for supplying high frequency electrical current;
a needle connected to the energy source comprising an electrically insulated shaft having an electrically conductive tip portion located at one end of the shaft and a radiopaque marker associated with at least one of the shaft and the tip portion; and
at least one reference electrode for completing the electrical circuit.
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16. A method for positioning a needle for delivering high frequency electrical current to neural structures comprising the steps of:
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(i) providing a needle operable for connection to an energy source, said needle comprising an electrically insulated shaft having an electrically conductive tip portion located at one end of the shaft and a radiopaque marker associated with at least one of the shaft and the tip portion;
(ii) positioning the needle to a location to treat the neural structure; and
(iii) verifying the position of the needle using the radiopaque marker. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification