Regional anesthetic

• US 20070213771A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Original Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Inventors: Conrad, Timothy, Martin, David, Spinner, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,027,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 19/00 Local anaesthesia syringes therefor A61M5/00; Hypothermia A61M5/42 takes precedence; cooling blood in a bypass of the arterial system A61M1/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for anesthetizing a region of a patient'"'"'s body. The method includes identifying a target nerve which, upon activation, anesthetizes a region of a patient'"'"'s body including a surgical site. The target nerve is located and an active site of a nerve blocking apparatus is placed in proximity to the nerve. The nerve blocking apparatus is activated to block neural propagation along the nerve. The activation of the nerve blocking apparatus is maintained during a surgical procedure at the surgical site.

Claims

1. A method of anesthetizing a region of a patients body, said method comprising:

identifying a target nerve which, upon anesthetization, anesthetizes a region of a patient'"'"'s body including a surgical site;

locating said target nerve;

placing an active site of a nerve blocking apparatus in proximity to said nerve;

activating said nerve blocking apparatus to block neural propagation along said nerve;

retaining said nerve blocking apparatus activation during a surgical procedure at said site.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said nerve blocking apparatus is a cryogenic source.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said nerve blocking apparatus includes an electrode to create a field near said desired target location, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said location of said target nerve includes activating an electrical stimulation at a suspected location of said nerve and observing a physiologic response to said stimulation confirming said location.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said location includes placing a needle through a skin of said patient with an electrode on said needle advanced to said suspected location and activating said electrode with a stimulation signal selected to induce action potentials in a nerve in close proximity to said electrode.

6. A method according to claim 5 comprising advancing at least one electrode through said needle to said nerve and connecting said at least one electrode to a source of a nerve blocking signal.

7. A method according to claim 6 comprising withdrawing said needle while leaving said at least one electrode at said nerve.

8. A kit comprising:

a hollow needle having an electrode tip connectable to a source of a stimulation signal selected to induce neural impulses in a nerve in close proximity to said electrode tip;

a neural blocking apparatus sized to be passed through said needle and having a blocking member connectable to an energy source to at least partially block neural impulses in a nerve in proximity to said blocking member.

9. A kit according to claim 8 wherein said blocking member is at least one electrode adapted to be connected to a source of a nerve blocking signal.

10. A kit according to claim 8 wherein said neural blocking apparatus is a cryogenic source.

11. An apparatus for a blocking neural impulses on a nerve comprising:

an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end;

a tissue penetrating member at said distal end;

a stimulation electrode at said distal end adapted to be connected to a source of a stimulation signal selected to induce neural impulses in a nerve in close proximity to said stimulation electrode;

a blocking electrode at said distal end adapted to be connected to a source of a blocking signal selected to block neural impulses in a nerve in close proximity to said blocking electrode.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said blocking electrode and said stimulation electrode are a common electrode.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said penetration tip is removable from said elongated member.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said penetration member is retractable into said elongated member.