Electrode and method for laryngeal electromyography
First Claim
1. An electrode for laryngeal electromyography comprising:
- (a) an electrical insulator having a base, a top and a side;
(b) a pair of rigid electrical conductors, each having a first end and a second end;
said rigid conductors each having the first end thereof mounted in said insulator base and projecting outwardly therefrom in a mutually spaced apart relation, and including a cutting edge on the second end thereof for embedding the rigid conductors into a vocalis muscle of a patient;
(c) a pair of flexible electrical conductors, each having a first end thereof connected with a different one of said rigid conductors, and including a second end thereof adapted for connection to a signal monitor; and
(d) a tab connected with the insulator having a planar portion anatomically proportioned for insertion into a laryngeal ventricle portion of the patient and projecting outwardly of the insulator at an angle to said rigid conductors for preventing inadvertent removal of the electrode from the vocalis muscle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode for laryngeal electromyography comprises an insulator body having a pair of rigid conductors or posts mounted in a spaced apart relation therein. A pair of flexible electrical wires have one end connected with an associated post, and the other end adapted for connection to an electrical signal monitor. A tab projects outwardly of the insulator body, and is shaped for insertion into a laryngeal ventricle portion of the patient and prevents inadvertent removal of the electrode from a vocalis muscle thereof. The free ends of the posts are embedded into the patients vocalis muscle, and a signal generating probe is applied to surgically exposed internal tissue in the area surrounding the recurrent laryngeal nerve, whereby contact between the probe and the laryngeal nerve excites the vocalis muscle and the monitor, thereby indicating to the surgeon the exact location of the nerve.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electrode for laryngeal electromyography comprising:
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(a) an electrical insulator having a base, a top and a side; (b) a pair of rigid electrical conductors, each having a first end and a second end;
said rigid conductors each having the first end thereof mounted in said insulator base and projecting outwardly therefrom in a mutually spaced apart relation, and including a cutting edge on the second end thereof for embedding the rigid conductors into a vocalis muscle of a patient;(c) a pair of flexible electrical conductors, each having a first end thereof connected with a different one of said rigid conductors, and including a second end thereof adapted for connection to a signal monitor; and (d) a tab connected with the insulator having a planar portion anatomically proportioned for insertion into a laryngeal ventricle portion of the patient and projecting outwardly of the insulator at an angle to said rigid conductors for preventing inadvertent removal of the electrode from the vocalis muscle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for locating a recurrent laryngeal nerve in a surgery patient comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a laryngeal electrode having a pair of rigid electrical conductors mounted in an insulator, a pair of flexible conductors connected with the rigid conductors, and a tab projecting outwardly of the insulator; (b) guiding said electrode through a pharynx portion of said patient into a larynx portion thereof; (c) embedding a free end portion of each of said rigid conductors into a vocalis muscle portion of said larynx, and inserting the electrode tab into a laryngeal ventricle portion of said larynx to prevent inadvertent removal of the electrode from the vocalis muscle; (d) connecting each of the flexible conductors with a monitor for sensing impulses in said vocalis muscle; (e) providing a probe for exciting internal tissue in an area surrounding the laryngeal nerve and applying said probe thereto, whereby contact between the probe and the recurrent laryngeal nerve excites said vocalis muscle and said monitor thereby indicating the exact location of said nerve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification