Systems and methods for intra-operative stimulation within a surgical field
First Claim
1. A method of applying electrical stimulation to animal tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a three-dimensional surgical field comprising a targeted tissue region of an animal;
providing a device comprising;
a housing extending along a housing longitudinal axis between a housing proximal end and a housing distal end;
electrical stimulation generation circuitry at least substantially contained within the housing;
one or more user operable controls coupled to the housing and in operational communication with the electrical stimulation generation circuitry;
an operative element extending from the housing proximal end, the operative element comprising an electrode operatively coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; and
a power supply disposed at least substantially within the housing, the power supply being electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry;
introducing the entire housing into the surgical field; and
applying electrical stimulation from the electrode to a targeted tissue region located within the surgical field.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide safeguarding against tissue injury during surgical procedures and/or identify nerve damage occurring prior to surgery and/or verify range of motion or attributes of muscle contraction during reconstructive surgery. Such improved assemblies may be utilized in embodiments of methods according to the present invention allowing, preferably by a single hand, manipulation, carrying, parameter adjustment and/or informational feedback generation from within a surgical field. Single-handed operation and easily identifiable feedback generation is desirable especially where focused attention is required, such as during surgery observed through a microscope.
83 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of applying electrical stimulation to animal tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a three-dimensional surgical field comprising a targeted tissue region of an animal; providing a device comprising; a housing extending along a housing longitudinal axis between a housing proximal end and a housing distal end; electrical stimulation generation circuitry at least substantially contained within the housing; one or more user operable controls coupled to the housing and in operational communication with the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; an operative element extending from the housing proximal end, the operative element comprising an electrode operatively coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; and a power supply disposed at least substantially within the housing, the power supply being electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; introducing the entire housing into the surgical field; and applying electrical stimulation from the electrode to a targeted tissue region located within the surgical field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of applying electrical stimulation to a targeted animal tissue region, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, into a single human hand, a device comprising; a housing extending along a housing longitudinal axis between a housing proximal end and a housing distal end; electrical stimulation generation circuitry at least substantially contained within the housing; one or more user operable controls coupled to the housing and in operational communication with the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; an operative element extending from the housing proximal end, the operative element comprising an electrode operatively coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; and a power supply disposed at least substantially within the housing, the power supply being electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; generating a first indication, which is indicative of electrical power being supplied to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; providing a first electrical stimulation from the stimulation generation circuitry to the electrode; generating a second indication, which is indicative of the first stimulation is being provided to the stimulating tip and is further indicative of the first stimulation being prevented from being received by the device through a return electrode; applying the first electrical stimulation to a targeted animal tissue region; and
,generating a third indication, which is indicative of the first stimulation being received by the device through the return electrode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of manipulating a handheld electrical stimulator within a surgical field, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, into a single human hand, a device comprising; a housing extending along a housing longitudinal axis between a housing proximal end and a housing distal end; electrical stimulation generation circuitry at least substantially contained within the housing; one or more user operable controls coupled to the housing and in operational communication with the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; an operative element extending from the housing proximal end, the operative element comprising an electrode operatively coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry; and a power supply disposed at least substantially within the housing, the power supply being electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation generation circuitry, wherein the housing includes a gripping portion comprising a location channel extending longitudinally distally from one of the user operable controls; using an index finger of the hand, identifying the location channel; locating one of the user operable controls proximal the location channel; and manipulating the located user operable control. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification