Apparatus and method of inserting a microelectrode in body tissue or the like using vibration means
First Claim
1. In a method of inserting a device in body tissue or the like, the steps comprising:
- providing an audio speaker with a vibratory member which vibrates when an audio signal is applied to said speaker;
attaching said device to said vibratory member; and
vibrating said device to pierce the tissue outer surface by applying an audio signal to said speaker.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An arrangement for and method of inserting a glass microelectrode having a tip in the micron range into body tissue is disclosed. The arrangement includes a microelectrode. The top of the microelectrode is attached to the diaphragm center of a first speaker. The microelectrode tip is brought into contact with the tissue by controlling a micromanipulator. Thereafter, an audio signal is applied to the speaker to cause the microelectrode to vibrate and thereby pierce the tissue surface without breaking the microelectrode tip. Thereafter, the tip is inserted into the tissue to the desired depth by operating the micromanipulator with the microelectrode in a vibratory or non-vibratory state. A mechanism including a second speaker disclosed. Such mechanism is useful to sense tissue motion to control the microelectrode position with respect thereto substantially constant.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a method of inserting a device in body tissue or the like, the steps comprising:
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providing an audio speaker with a vibratory member which vibrates when an audio signal is applied to said speaker; attaching said device to said vibratory member; and vibrating said device to pierce the tissue outer surface by applying an audio signal to said speaker. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An arrangement for inserting a device into body tissue or the like comprising:
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an elongated device of the type defining a front end adapted to be inserted into body tissue or the like; support means connected to said device at an end other than said front end, said support means including energizable means comprising a first audio speaker with a vibratory member, which vibrates back and forth along an axis when said speaker is energized by an energizing signal; mechanical means for mechanically rigidly connecting said vibratory member to said devices, with the front end thereof along said axis, whereby when said vibratory member vibrates along said axis, said front end of said device vibrates therewith along said axis; energizing means for selectively energizing said speaker; and positioning means coupled to said support means for controlling the position of said device with the front end thereof with respect to the tissue into which said device is adapted to be inserted, said positioning means include means adapted to sense the motion of said tissue and control means for varying the position of the support means as a function of the sensed tissue motion, said control means comprises a second audio speaker, having a vibratory diaphragm connected to said support means, and a circuit means for applying a signal to said second speaker as a function of the sensed tissue motion so as to cause the diaphragm of said second speaker to move in a direction to thereby control the distance between said support means and said moving tissue substantially constant, when the position of the device with respect to said tissue is not varied by said energizing means. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. An arrangement for inserting a device into body tissue or the like, comprising:
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an elongated device of the type defining a front end, adapted to be inserted into body tissue or the like; support means connected to said device at an end other than said front end, said support means including energizable means comprising a vibratory member which vibrates so as to cause said device to vibrate along an axis with which said device'"'"'s front end is aligned, upon the application of an energizing signal to said energizable means; energizing means for selectively energizing said energizable means; and positioning means, coupled to said support means, for controlling the position of said device with the front end thereof with respect to the tissue into which said device is to be inserted, said positioning means include means adapted to sense motion of said tissue and control means for varying the position of the support means as a function of the sensed tissue motion, said energizable means comprising a first audio speaker, and said vibratory member is the speaker'"'"'s diaphragm and said energizing means is a source of audio signals for energizing said first speaker, and said control means comprises a second audio speaker having a vibratory diaphragm connected to said support means, and circuit means for applying a signal to said second speaker as a function of the second tissue motion so as to cause the diaphragm of said second speaker to move in a direction to thereby control the distance between the support means and said moving tissue substantially constant, when the position of the device with respect to said tissue is not varied by said energizing means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification