Method for locating a nerve and for protecting nerves from injury during surgery
First Claim
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1. A method for locating a nerve comprising the steps of:
- (a) delivering a stimulus to a nerve using a stimulus delivery means;
(b) detecting the response of said nerve to said stimulus using a response detecting means;
(c) determining the distance of said nerve from said stimulus delivery means by comparing the response of said nerve to said stimulus against a predetermined criterion;
(d) modifying the next stimulus to be delivered to said nerve, wherein said next stimulus is automatically modified by a control means which continually modifies the next stimulus delivered to said nerve based on the response of the nerve to the previously delivered stimulus so as to hold the level of the nerve'"'"'s response substantially constant at a predetermined value;
(e) conveying to the user the distance between said stimulus delivery means and said nerve;
(f) repositioning said stimulus delivery means in relation to said nerve; and
(g) delivering said next stimulus to said nerve using said stimulus delivery means.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for locating and identifying the function of specific peripheral nerves. In one embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a nerve stimulator which is used to locate nerves to assist in the administration of regional anesthesia. In another embodiment, the nerve stimulator is used to locate, identify the function of, and guard against the inadvertent cutting of specific nerves during surgical procedures. The apparatus of the present invention includes a stimulus delivery means, a response-detecting means and a means for automatically modulating the magnitude of the stimulus.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for locating a nerve comprising the steps of:
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(a) delivering a stimulus to a nerve using a stimulus delivery means; (b) detecting the response of said nerve to said stimulus using a response detecting means; (c) determining the distance of said nerve from said stimulus delivery means by comparing the response of said nerve to said stimulus against a predetermined criterion; (d) modifying the next stimulus to be delivered to said nerve, wherein said next stimulus is automatically modified by a control means which continually modifies the next stimulus delivered to said nerve based on the response of the nerve to the previously delivered stimulus so as to hold the level of the nerve'"'"'s response substantially constant at a predetermined value; (e) conveying to the user the distance between said stimulus delivery means and said nerve; (f) repositioning said stimulus delivery means in relation to said nerve; and (g) delivering said next stimulus to said nerve using said stimulus delivery means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification