APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING A NEUROMUSCULAR DEFECT

• US 20130281967A1
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Papay, Francis A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,204,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/501
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 21/00 Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a treatment probe comprising an elongated body member and a needle portion. The elongated body member can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The needle portion can be connected to the distal end portion. The needle portion can include at least one electrode and at least one fluid port. The at least one electrode and the at least one fluid port can be configured to deliver electrical energy and a tumescent fluid, respectively, so that superficial tissue planes overlying a target nerve are protected from inadvertent heat damage as a result of application of electrical energy to a target nerve.

Claims

1. A treatment probe comprising:

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

a needle portion connected to said distal end portion, said needle portion including at least one electrode and at least one fluid port, said at least one electrode and said at least one fluid port being configured to deliver electrical energy and a tumescent fluid, respectively, so that superficial tissue planes overlying a target nerve are protected from inadvertent heat damage as a result of application of electrical energy to a target nerve.

2. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode and said at least one fluid port are oppositely disposed from one another.

3. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode and said at least one fluid port are radially offset from one another.

4. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode and said at least one fluid port are radially aligned with one another.

5. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode and said at least one fluid port are axially offset from one another.

6. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein said needle portion further includes at least one sensing electrode that is axially spaced apart from said at least one electrode.

7. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein said body member includes a power button disposed thereon.

8. The treatment probe of claim 1, wherein the tumescent fluid is stored within said body member.

9. A method for treating a neuromuscular defect in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a treatment probe, the treatment probe comprising an elongated body member including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a needle portion connected to the distal end portion, the needle portion including at least one electrode and at least one fluid port that is oppositely disposed from the at least one electrode;

positioning the needle portion about a target nerve;

injecting a tumescent fluid into the tissue surrounding the target nerve via the at least one fluid port; and

delivering an electric current to the at least one electrode to substantially ablate the target nerve.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the neuromuscular defect is selected from the group consisting of cosmetic defects, neurological movement disorders, neuromuscular pain, and headaches.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cosmetic defect is selected from the group consisting of skin furrows, frowning wrinkles, contractions, spasms, and neck bands.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the neurological movement disorder is selected from the group consisting of torticollis, blepharospasm, and uncontrolled grimacing.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of positioning the needle portion further comprises orienting the at least one electrode so that a surface thereof is directly adjacent the target nerve.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of injecting a tumescent fluid into the tissue surrounding the target nerve further includes flowing the tumescent fluid through the at least one fluid port so that the flow of tumescent fluid is directed away from the target nerve.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of injecting a tumescent fluid into the tissue surrounding the target nerve further includes injecting a pharmacological agent into the tissue surrounding the target nerve.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pharmacological agent is selected from the group consisting of an anesthetic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an electrolyte solution, and a neurotoxic agent.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the neurotoxic agent comprises Botulinum toxin.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of injecting a tumescent fluid into the tissue surrounding the target nerve protects superficial tissue planes from inadvertent heat damage and enhances electro-mechanical conduction during delivery of electric current to the target nerve.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of injecting a tumescent fluid into the tissue surrounding the target nerve anesthetizes at least a portion of the tissue.

20. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of high frequency ultrasound, high energy radiowaves, high frequency electrical stimulation, or laser energy is delivered to the target nerve.