Clamp-on nerve stimulator and locator

• US 4,515,168 A
• Filed: 07/22/1983
• Issued: 05/07/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cary A. Norman, Martin H. Chester
• Original Assignee: Cary A. Norman, Martin H. Chester
• Inventors: Norman, Cary A., Chester, Martin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/516,213
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 128/784, 128/303.18, 128/303.14, 128/419 P, 128/419 PG, 128/741, 128/642, 128/329 A, 128/419 R, 128/907, 128/303.13, 128/303.19, 128/639 , 128/421-423, 128/783, 604/21, 433/32
• US Class Current: 600/554
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4893 Nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/08 Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating for external stimulators A61N1/3603; for implantable neurostimulators A61N1/36128; for heart stimulators A61N1/37; for defibrillators A61N1/3925
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A completely self-contained nerve stimulator/locator unit to be clamped on the syringe of a conventional syringe and injection needle assembly. The unit contains a power supply, a pulse generating circuit, a patient detector switch for automatically activating the generator when the injection needle touches the patient'"'"'s body, a manually controlled current-adjusting potentiometer for permitting the physician to adjust the current values of the pulses, and an indicator for visually indicating the generation of each pulse. An LED/LCD digital display is also provided on the unit for displaying the current values of the pulses applied to the patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A nerve stimulator/locator unit for applying current pulses to a patient'"'"'s body through an injection needle connected to a syringe, said unit comprising:

a housing;

pulse generator means mounted in said housing for generating a series of output current pulses;

indicator means mounted on said housing for producing a visual indication of the generation of each pulse;

manually controlled current-adjusting means mounted in said housing for adjusting the current values of the pulses;

connector means for electrically connecting the output of said pulse generator means to an injection needle; and

clamping means, fixed to said housing, for clamping said housing directly to a syringe.

2. A unit as defined in claim 1 further comprising patient detector means mounted in said housing for inhibiting the generation of the pulses except when the injecting needle is in contact with the patient'"'"'s body.

3. A unit as defined in claim 2 further comprising display means, mounted on said housing and electrically coupled to the output of said current-adjusting means, for displaying the values of the current pulses applied to the patient'"'"'s body.

4. A unit as defined in claim 2 further comprising a power supply mounted in said housing;

and wherein said detector means comprises;

a normally non-conducting transistor switch connected between said power supply and said pulse generator means; and

current-sensing means, coupled between said power supply and said connector means, for rendering said transistor switch conducting when a minute current flows through said sensing means upon contact being made between the injection needle and the patient'"'"'s body.

5. In combination:

a syringe coupled to an injection needle, and

a self-contained nerve stimulator/locating unit clamped to said syringe;

said unit comprising;

a housing,

pulse generator means mounted in said housing for generating a series of output current pulses;

indicator means mounted on said housing for producing a visual indication of the generation of each pulse;

manually controlled current-adjusting means mounted in said housing for adjusting the current values of the pulses; and

connector means for electrically connecting the output of said pulse generator means to said injection needle.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5 further comprising patient detector means mounted in said housing for inhibiting the generation of the pulses except when said injection needle is in contact with the patient'"'"'s body.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 further comprising display means, mounted on said housing and electrically coupled to the output of said current-adjusting means, for displaying the value of the current pulses applied to the patient'"'"'s body.

8. A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said unit comprises:

a power supply in said housing; and

wherein said patient detector means comprises a normally non-conducting transistor switch connected between said power supply and said pulse generating means, and current-sensing means, coupled between said power supply and said connecting means, for rendering said transistor switch conducting when a minute current flows through said current-sensing means upon contact being made between said injection needle and the patient'"'"'s body.

9. A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein all but the tip of said needle is coated with an electrically insulated material, and

wherein said connector means comprises an electrical connector integral with said needle.