ULTRASONIC DEVICES AND METHODS TO DIAGNOSE PAIN GENERATORS
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic device for diagnosing a pain generator or a suspected pain generator at or near the spine in a patient suffering from pain, the ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the ultrasonic probe configured to be moved at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator;
- an ultrasonic energy source that supplies the ultrasonic probe with an ultrasonic energy; and
a transducer for engaging the ultrasonic energy source and the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe to transfer the ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic energy source along the longitudinal axis to the distal end of the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic energy having an intensity to deliver ultrasound energy and produce a pain signal when at least the distal end is at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasonic devices and methods are provided that diagnose one or more pain generators. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic devices and methods are utilized to map one or more pain generators at or near the spine so that appropriate diagnostic and treatment methods can be performed.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic device for diagnosing a pain generator or a suspected pain generator at or near the spine in a patient suffering from pain, the ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the ultrasonic probe configured to be moved at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator;
- an ultrasonic energy source that supplies the ultrasonic probe with an ultrasonic energy; and
a transducer for engaging the ultrasonic energy source and the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe to transfer the ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic energy source along the longitudinal axis to the distal end of the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic energy having an intensity to deliver ultrasound energy and produce a pain signal when at least the distal end is at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- an ultrasonic energy source that supplies the ultrasonic probe with an ultrasonic energy; and
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12. A method for diagnosing a location of a pain generator or a suspected pain generator at or near the spine in a patient suffering from pain, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasonic probe at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator, the ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis there between, the ultrasonic probe supplied with ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic energy source that transfers ultrasonic energy from a transducer to the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe along the longitudinal axis to the distal end of the ultrasonic probe; and delivering sufficient ultrasonic energy from the distal end of the ultrasonic probe to tissue at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator to produce a pain signal so as to diagnose the location of the pain generator or suspected pain generator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for diagnosing a pain generator at or near the spine in a patient suffering from pain, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasonic probe at a target tissue site at or near the spine, the ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the ultrasonic probe supplied with ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic energy source that transfers ultrasonic energy from a transducer to the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe along the longitudinal axis to the distal end of the ultrasonic probe; delivering a first dose of ultrasonic energy from the distal end of the ultrasonic probe to the target tissue site at or near the spine to produce a first pain signal; re-positioning the ultrasonic probe at a second target tissue site at or near the spine; delivering a second dose of ultrasonic energy from the distal end of the ultrasonic probe to the second target tissue site at or near the spine to produce a second pain signal; and comparing the first dose and the first pain signal to the second dose and the second pain signal to diagnose the pain generator or suspected pain generator, wherein a greater pain signal indicates the presence of the pain generator.
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- 19. A method for diagnosing a pain generator according to claim 19, wherein the first dose and the second dose are the same dose.
Specification