DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE ACTIVITY OF THE SPINAL CORD OF A VERTEBRA

• US 20120283572A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polyvalor LP, Valorisation-Recherche, Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Ecole polytechnique, Universite De Montreal, L', University Pierre et Marie Curie
• Inventors: Goguin, Alexandre, Lesage, Frederic, Rossignol, Serge, Benali, Habib
• Granted Patent: US 9,107,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4561 Evaluating static posture, e.g. undesirable back curvature A61B5/1116 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0875 for diagnosis of bone A61B5/4504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

A measurement device for measuring activity of the spinal cord of a vertebrate, wherein the device includes at least one main probe (1) shaped to be fastened to a spinous process (2) of a vertebra (3) and to hold in position on opposite sides of the vertebra at least one emitter (6) for emitting a wave capable of interacting with the spinal cord (7) and at least one associated receiver (8) for receiving the wave that has interacted with the spinal cord and for generating a signal representative of the activity of the spinal cord.

Claims

1. A measurement device for measuring activity of the spinal cord of a vertebrate, wherein the device includes at least one main probe (1) shaped to be fastened to a spinous process (2) of a vertebra (3) and to hold in position on opposite sides of the vertebra at least one emitter (6) for emitting a wave capable of interacting with the spinal cord (7) and at least one associated receiver (8) for receiving the wave that has interacted with the spinal cord and for generating a signal representative of the activity of the spinal cord.

2. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the main probe is shaped as a fork (4) for placing astride the vertebra, and includes a handle (5) that extends facing the spinous process when the main probe is in position on the vertebra.

3. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the wave emitted by the emitter (6) of the main probe and received by the associated receiver (8) is infrared radiation.

4. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the main probe includes communications means (10, 11) for communicating remotely with at least one remote transceiver (D), the communications means including at least one infrared emitter (10) emitting signals to the remote transceiver (D) and at least one infrared receiver (11) receiving signals from the remote transceiver (D).

5. A measurement device according to claim 4, wherein the remote transceiver (D) is associated with at least one auxiliary probe (14) placed in direct contact with a functional tissue, in particular the spinal cord, said probe including means (19, 20, 21) for stimulating the functional tissue and/or means (17) for measuring activity of the functional tissue.

6. A measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary probe is designed to be placed in contact with the spinal cord, the auxiliary probe and the main probe including magnetic means (15, 16) for stabilizing the position of the auxiliary probe in the vertebra.

7. A measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the means for stimulating the spinal cord comprise electrodes (21) for imparting a local potential to axons in contact with the electrodes.

8. A measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the means for stimulating the spinal cord comprise a tank (19) storing molecules and associated with means (20) for progressively releasing said molecules into the spinal cord.

9. A measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary probe includes inductive means for remotely receiving electrical energy, the inductive means including at least one antenna (24).

10. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the main probe includes inductive means for remotely receiving electrical energy, the inductive means including at least one antenna (12).