Identification of target site for implantation of a microstimulator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for identifying a target site for implanting a microstimulator in a body, comprising:
- a) a drape having an aperture;
b) a transmitting antenna attached to the drape that is capable of creating an inductive field to control a microstimulator located within a patient'"'"'s body; and
c) at least one electromyographic electrode attached to the antenna, wherein the at least one electromyographic electrode is capable of detecting M-waves produced by the patient'"'"'s body.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for locating a target site for the electrical stimulation of muscles are disclosed. The intensity of a search stimulus is varied continuously near the threshold to evoke an M-wave recorded by EMG electrodes. A feedback signal allows the clinician to judge when the threshold is sufficiently low to warrant the implantation of the stimulation electrodes at that site.
33 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for identifying a target site for implanting a microstimulator in a body, comprising:
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a) a drape having an aperture;
b) a transmitting antenna attached to the drape that is capable of creating an inductive field to control a microstimulator located within a patient'"'"'s body; and
c) at least one electromyographic electrode attached to the antenna, wherein the at least one electromyographic electrode is capable of detecting M-waves produced by the patient'"'"'s body.
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2. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is substantially aligned with the perimeter of the aperture.
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3. The device of claim 1, wherein the drape and/or at least one electromyographic electrode has an adhesive material.
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4. The device of claim 3, wherein the adhesive material is electrically conductive.
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5. A system for implanting a microstimulator in a body, comprising:
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a) a drape having an aperture;
b) a transmitting antenna attached to the drape that is capable of creating an inductive field to control a microstimulator located within a patient'"'"'s body;
c) a microstimulator capable of stimulating at least one nerve;
d) at least one electrode capable of detecting M-waves produced by the patient'"'"'s body; and
e) a controller, wherein the controller is capable of providing microstimulator-control signals to the transmitting antenna, and receiving and analyzing information from the M-waves detected by the at least one electrode.
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6. The system of claim 5, wherein the antenna is substantially aligned with the perimeter of the aperture.
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7. The system of claim 5, wherein the drape and/or at least one electromyographic electrode has an adhesive material.
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8. The system of claim 7, wherein the adhesive material is electrically conductive.
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9. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one electrode capable of detecting M-waves is part of the microstimulator.
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10. The system of claim 9, wherein the antenna is capable of receiving information about the detected M-waves from the microstimulator, and is capable of transmitting the information to the controller.
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11. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller comprises an EMG signal processor, a stimulus control unit, control processor, and a feedback unit.
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12. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is further capable of providing additional signals to the antenna based on the received and analyzed information from the detected M-waves.
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13. A method of implanting a microstimulator at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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a) inserting a microstimulator injection device containing a microstimulator through a microstimulator-insertion assembly and into a patient'"'"'s body;
b) providing, through the microstimulator, a stimulation pulse to at least one nerve;
c) detecting, with at least one electrode, at least one M-wave produced by the patient'"'"'s body; and
d) implanting the microstimulator into the patient'"'"'s body.
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14. The method of claim 13, wherein the microstimulator-injection assembly comprises:
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a) a drape having an aperture; and
b) a transmitting antenna attached to the drape that is capable of creating an inductive field to control a microstimulator located within a patient'"'"'s body.
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15. The method of claim 14, wherein the antenna is substantially aligned with the perimeter of the aperture.
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16. The method of claim 14, wherein the drape and/or at least one electrode has an adhesive material.
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17. The method of claim 16, wherein the adhesive material is electrically conductive.
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18. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one electrode capable of detecting M-waves is part of the microstimulator.
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19. The method of claim 18, wherein the antenna is capable of receiving information about the detected M-waves from the microstimulator.
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20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
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a) altering the position of the injection device within the patient'"'"'s body; and
b) providing a second stimulation pulse having a different strength and/or duration from the first pulse;
following the step of detecting the at least one M-wave and preceding the step of implanting the microstimulator into the patient'"'"'s body.
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21. A controller for implanting a microstimulator in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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a) an EMG signal processor;
b) a stimulus control unit;
c) a control processor; and
d) a feedback unit;
wherein the controller is capable of determining the position of a microstimulator with respect to at least one nerve in a patient'"'"'s body.
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Specification