Remote indicator for stimulator

• US 5,092,344 A
• Filed: 11/19/1990
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tzium-Shou Lee
• Original Assignee: Tzium-Shou Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Tzium-Shou
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/615,339
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 128/421, 128/741, 128/795, 128/796, 128/802
• US Class Current: 600/554
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1106 to assess neuromuscular blockade, e.g. to estimate depth of anaesthesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles

Abstract

An indicator for a nerve stimulator located remotely from the pulse generator and secured onto the precise portion of the anatomy under observation for responsive twitch. The indicator comprises exemplary embodiments of visual annunciators including a light bulb, a light emitting diode, a liquid crystal diode, or other visual indications. A wrap arrangement holds the indicator to the observed part of the anatomy such as a finger. Alternately, a finger cap attachment provides a convenient means to attach the annunciator to a finger under observation. A needle probe can be used for mounting the annunciator to internal areas of the anatomy. A second exemplary embodiment of the indicator provides that the annuciator is mounted to a needle probe wherein the indicator signal and the pulse are directed to the same location of the anatomy, and where the annunciator is mounted to a free end of the needle probe, twitching of the flesh at the probe sight is readily visible by movement of the annunciator in synchronization with the flashing annunciator. As an alternative to the visible indicators, an audible annuciator, such as a sound emitting transducer, can be locally mounted to the part of the anatomy under observation.

Claims

1. A remote indicator for a nerve stimulator generator wherein the nerve stimulator generator provides electric pulses to a first part of a patient'"'"'s anatomy to observe a resultant twitching movement of a second part of the patient'"'"'s anatomy, comprising:

an annunciator providing a noticeable indication when activated;

a means for mounting said annunciator to said second part of said anatomy;

a means for communicating a signal to activate said annunciator for noticeable indication, synchronized with said electric pulses.

2. A remote indicator according to claim 1, wherein said means for communicating said signal comprises a lead connecting said signal generator to said annunciator, said lead carrying said signal.

3. A remote indicator according to claim 2, wherein said annunciator comprises a light element and said lead comprises a pair of electrical conductors carrying said signal.

4. A remote indicator according to claim 2, wherein said annunciator comprises a light emitting diode and said lead comprises a pair of electrical conductors.

5. A remote indicator according to claim 2, where said annunciator comprises a liquid crystal diode.

6. A remote indicator according to claim 2, wherein said annunciator comprises a visible terminal end of a light conducting fiber and said lead comprises a light conducting fiber.

7. A remote indicator according to claim 1, wherein said means for mounting comprises a wrap-like panel having at least one attachment portion applied on a first portion of said panel, said wrap-like panel wrapped around said second part of said anatomy, said attachment portion engaging a second portion of said panel to capture said second part of said anatomy therein.

8. A remote indicator according to claim 1, wherein said means for mounting comprises a finger cap, and said second part of said anatomy comprises a patient'"'"'s finger, said finger cap fitting over an end portion of said finger, said annunciator fixed to an outside of said finger cap.

9. A remote indicator according to claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said annunciator to said second part of said anatomy is a needle probe penetrating the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

10. A remote indicator according to claim 1, wherein said annunciator comprises a sound emitting transducer.

11. A combination annunciator and probe for a remotely located nerve stimulator generator wherein the nerve stimulator generator provides a stimulation signal, comprising:

a probe for transmitting said stimulation signal to a location of the patient'"'"'s anatomy;

an annunciator mounted to said probe, said annunciator when activated, providing a visual signal;

a lead connecting said remote nerve stimulator generator to said probe, said lead providing the stimulation signal to said probe; and

a signal lead from said nerve stimulator generator providing an indication signal to activate said annunciator, said indication signal synchronized with said stimulation signal.

12. A combination probe annunciator according to claim 11, wherein said probe comprises a needle probe which can be partially inserted beneath an outside layer of the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

13. A combination probe annunciator according to claim 12, wherein said annunciator comprises a light element mounted in a socket, said socket mounted to a free end of said needle probe, said indicator lead providing a pair of conductors for energizing said light element, and said socket providing an electrical connection between said pulse lead and said needle probe.