ULTRASOUND-GUIDED DELIVERY OF A THERAPY DELIVERY DEVICE TO A NERVE TARGET
First Claim
1. A method for guiding a therapy delivery device to a sympathetic nerve chain target of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting a sympathetic nerve chain target;
(b) using ultrasound imaging to obtain an ultrasound image of anatomical structures relevant to the sympathetic nerve chain target;
(c) determining an implantation pathway based on the ultrasound image, the implantation pathway defining a trajectory that avoids the relevant anatomical structures and extends between an insertion point on the skin of the subject and a bony spinous target;
(d) inserting an introducer into the insertion point, the introducer including a bevel located at a distal end thereof;
(e) navigating the introducer through the implantation pathway until the distal tip is positioned adjacent or proximate to the bony spinous target; and
(f) advancing the therapy delivery device through the introducer to the sympathetic nerve chain target;
wherein steps (d)-(f) are performed using real-time ultrasound imaging.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for guiding a therapy delivery device to a sympathetic nerve chain target of a subject includes: (a) selecting a sympathetic nerve chain target; (b) using ultrasound imaging to obtain an ultrasound image of anatomical structures relevant to the sympathetic nerve chain target; (c) determining an implantation pathway based on the ultrasound image, the implantation pathway defining a trajectory that avoids the relevant anatomical structures and extends between an insertion point on the skin of the subject and a bony spinous target; (d) inserting an introducer into the insertion point, the introducer including a bevel located at a distal end thereof; (e) navigating the introducer through the implantation pathway until the distal tip is positioned adjacent or proximate to the bony spinous target; and (f) advancing the therapy delivery device through the introducer to the sympathetic nerve chain target. Steps (d)-(f) are performed using real-time ultrasound imaging.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for guiding a therapy delivery device to a sympathetic nerve chain target of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a sympathetic nerve chain target; (b) using ultrasound imaging to obtain an ultrasound image of anatomical structures relevant to the sympathetic nerve chain target; (c) determining an implantation pathway based on the ultrasound image, the implantation pathway defining a trajectory that avoids the relevant anatomical structures and extends between an insertion point on the skin of the subject and a bony spinous target; (d) inserting an introducer into the insertion point, the introducer including a bevel located at a distal end thereof; (e) navigating the introducer through the implantation pathway until the distal tip is positioned adjacent or proximate to the bony spinous target; and (f) advancing the therapy delivery device through the introducer to the sympathetic nerve chain target; wherein steps (d)-(f) are performed using real-time ultrasound imaging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for treating a medical condition in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a sympathetic nerve chain target; (b) using ultrasound imaging to obtain an ultrasound image of anatomical structures relevant to the sympathetic nerve chain target; (c) determining an implantation pathway based on the ultrasound image, the implantation pathway defining a trajectory that avoids the relevant anatomical structures and extends between an insertion point on the skin of the subject and a bony spinous target; (d) inserting an introducer into the insertion point, the introducer including a bevel located at a distal end thereof; (e) navigating the introducer through the implantation pathway until the distal tip is positioned adjacent or proximate to the bony spinous target; (f) advancing the therapy delivery device through the introducer to the sympathetic nerve chain target; and (g) applying an electrical current to the sympathetic nerve chain target; wherein steps (d)-(f) are performed using real-time ultrasound imaging. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification