Wireless Stimulation Probe Device for Wireless Nerve Integrity Monitoring Systems

• US 20160038074A1
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Published: 02/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: BROWN, Richard L., Pollock, John G., McFarlin, Kevin L., Schulhauser, Randal C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,398,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00004 characterised by electronic signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2673 for monitoring movements of vocal chords
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0209 Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 : Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 : Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 : Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4848 : Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 : Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 : Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 : Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 : Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 : User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 : Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0443 : Special cuff-wall materials A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 : sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 : related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 : Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 : Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36031 : using physiological parameters for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 : specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

A stimulation probe device including a first electrode, a stimulation module, a control module and a physical layer module. The stimulation module is configured to (i) wirelessly receive a payload signal from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device, and (ii) supply a voltage or an amount of current to the first electrode to stimulate a nerve or a muscle in a patient. The control module is configured to generate a parameter signal indicating the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode. The physical layer module is configured to (i) upconvert the parameter signal to a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the first radio frequency signal from the stimulation probe to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

Claims

1. A stimulation probe device comprising:

a first electrode;

a stimulation module configured to (i) wirelessly receive a payload signal from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device, and (ii) supply a voltage or an amount of current to the first electrode to stimulate a nerve or a muscle in a patient;

a control module configured to generate a parameter signal indicating the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode; and

a physical layer module configured to (i) upconvert the parameter signal to a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the first radio frequency signal from the stimulation probe to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

2. The stimulation probe device of claim 1, wherein:

the physical layer module is configured to (i) receive a second radio frequency signal from the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device, and (ii) downconvert the second radio frequency signal to a control signal; and

the stimulation module is configured to, based on the control signal, supply the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode.

3. The stimulation probe device of claim 2, wherein:

the second radio frequency signal includes a parameter;

the parameter is a predetermined voltage, a predetermined amount of current, or a predetermined wavelength; and

the stimulation module is configured to supply the predetermined voltage, the predetermined amount of current, or a signal having the predetermined wavelength to the first electrode.

4. The stimulation probe device of claim 1, further comprising a power source,

wherein the stimulation module is configured to supply the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode based on power received from the power source.

5. The stimulation probe device of claim 1, further comprising a manually operated switch having a first state and a second state, wherein:

the stimulation module is configured to supply the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode while the switch is in the first state; and

switch is configured to disable the supply of the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode while the switch is in the second state.

6. The stimulation probe device of claim 1, wherein:

the physical layer module is configured to wirelessly receive a payload request from the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device;

the stimulation module is configured to, based on the payload request, supply the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode as a stimulation pulse; and

the control module is configured to, in response to the payload request, wirelessly transmit information pertaining to the stimulation pulse to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

7. The stimulation probe device of claim 6, wherein:

the payload request indicates a data rate; and

the physical layer module transmits the information pertaining to the stimulation pulse to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device at the data rate.

8. The stimulation probe device of claim 6, wherein:

the physical layer module is configured to periodically receive synchronization requests from the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device; and

the control module is configured to (i) select a time slot based on a first one of the synchronization requests, and (ii) transmit a data payload in the selected time slot to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

9. A nerve integrity monitoring system comprising:

the stimulation probe device of claim 1; and

the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

10. The nerve integrity monitoring system of claim 9, further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes configured to (i) attach to a muscle of the patient, and (ii) based on the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode, receive an electromyographic signal from the muscle of the patient.

11. The nerve integrity monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises:

a second control module connected to the plurality of electrodes, wherein the second control module is configured to (i) detect the electromyographic signal, and (ii) generate a voltage signal; and

a second physical layer module configured to (i) upconvert the voltage signal to a second radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the second radio frequency signal from the sensor to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

12. The nerve integrity monitoring system of claim 9, further comprising an endotracheal tube for opening an airway of the patient, wherein the endotracheal tube comprises an electrical element, wherein the electrical element is configured to, based on the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode, receive an electromyographic signal from a muscle of the patient.

13. The nerve integrity monitoring system of claim 9, further comprising an endotracheal tube assembly comprising:

an endotracheal tube for opening an airway of the patient, wherein the endotracheal tube comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a contact, and a trace, wherein the contact is on the endotracheal tube and is closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and wherein the trace extends between the proximal end and the distal end and is configured to, based on the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode, receive an electromyographic signal from the patient via the contact; and

a sensing module configured to

connect to the trace and receive the electromyographic signal via the contact,

generate a voltage signal based on the electromyographic signal,

upconvert the voltage signal to a second radio frequency signal, and

wirelessly transmit the second radio frequency signal from the sensing module to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

14. A method of operating a stimulation probe device, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving a payload signal from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device;

supply a voltage or an amount of current to a first electrode to stimulate a nerve or a muscle in a patient;

generating a parameter signal indicating the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode;

upconverting the parameter signal to a first radio frequency signal; and

wirelessly transmitting the first radio frequency signal from the stimulation probe to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a second radio frequency signal from the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device;

downconverting the second radio frequency signal to a control signal; and

based on the control signal, supplying the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising supplying a predetermined voltage, a predetermined amount of current, or a signal having a predetermined wavelength to the first electrode, wherein:

the second radio frequency signal includes a parameter; and

the parameter is the predetermined voltage, the predetermined amount of current, or the predetermined wavelength.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising supplying the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode based on power received from a power source at a control module.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

supplying the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode while a switch is in a first state, wherein the switch is manually operated and has the first state and a second state; and

disabling the supply of the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode while the switch is in the second state.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving a payload request from the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device;

based on the payload request, supplying the voltage or the amount of current to the first electrode as a stimulation pulse; and

in response to the payload request, wirelessly transmitting information pertaining to the stimulation pulse to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting the information pertaining to the stimulation pulse to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device at a data rate,

wherein the payload request indicates the data rate.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

periodically receiving synchronization requests from the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device;

selecting a time slot based on a first one of the synchronization requests; and

transmitting a data payload in the selected time slot to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

based on the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode, receiving an electromyographic signal from a muscle of the patient at a sensor;

generating a first voltage signal based on the electromyographic signal;

upconverting the first voltage signal to a second radio frequency signal; and

wirelessly transmitting the second radio frequency signal from the sensor to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising, based on the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode, receiving the electromyographic signal from a muscle of the patient at an electrical element of an endotracheal tube.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

based on the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode, receive the electromyographic signal from the patient via a contact on an endotracheal tube, wherein the endotracheal tube comprises a proximal end, a distal end, the contact, and a trace, wherein the contact is on the endotracheal tube and is closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and wherein the trace extends between the proximal end and the distal end and is configured to;

receiving the electromyographic signal from the trace via the contact;

generating a second voltage signal based on the electromyographic signal;

upconverting the second voltage signal to generate a third radio frequency signal; and

wirelessly transmitting the third radio frequency signal from the sensing module to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.