Method and device for acute pain management by simultaneous spinal cord electrical stimulation and drug infusion
First Claim
1. A method for treatment of acute pain in a patient by providing analgesia for at least three contiguous dermatome and myotome regions by the combined application of electrical stimulation and infused medication to the nerve fibers and portion of the spinal cord associated with said dermatome and myotome regions, comprising the steps of:
- (A) providing an electrode catheter adapted for insertion into the epidural region of the spinal cord having both conduit means to deliver analgesic medications and a plurality of electrical leads capable of providing electrical stimulation to nerve fibers and a portion of the spinal cord over a longitudinal distance of at least ten centimeters;
(B) providing means to insert said electrode catheter percutaneously into the epidural region of the spinal cord adjacent to said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord;
(C) inserting said electrode catheter into said epidural region without the aid of fluoroscopy;
(D) activating said electrical stimulation to stimulate said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord to create paresthesias in corresponding dermatome and myotome regions;
(E) communicating with the patient to determine which dermatome and myotome regions are experiencing paresthesias;
(F) positioning said electrode catheter within said epidural region to stimulate said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord associated with the particular dermatome and myotome regions to be provided analgesia through continued communication with the patient as to which dermatome and myotome regions are experiencing paresthesias;
(F) providing analgesia to said particular dermatome and myotome regions by simultaneous application of electrical stimulation and infusion of analgesic medication to said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-lead electrode catheter for use in acute pain management and a method utilizing this device is provided. The electrode catheter has a plurality of longitudinally spaced electrodes, and a conduit for infusion of analgesic medications simultaneous with application of electrical stimulation to the epidural space of the spinal cord, such that three to four dermatome and myotome body regions are affected. The device is properly positioned without the aid of fluoroscopy in response to communication from the patient as to which dermatomes and myotomes are experiencing paresthesias caused by the electrical stimulation of the corresponding nerve fibers.
302 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A method for treatment of acute pain in a patient by providing analgesia for at least three contiguous dermatome and myotome regions by the combined application of electrical stimulation and infused medication to the nerve fibers and portion of the spinal cord associated with said dermatome and myotome regions, comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing an electrode catheter adapted for insertion into the epidural region of the spinal cord having both conduit means to deliver analgesic medications and a plurality of electrical leads capable of providing electrical stimulation to nerve fibers and a portion of the spinal cord over a longitudinal distance of at least ten centimeters; (B) providing means to insert said electrode catheter percutaneously into the epidural region of the spinal cord adjacent to said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord; (C) inserting said electrode catheter into said epidural region without the aid of fluoroscopy; (D) activating said electrical stimulation to stimulate said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord to create paresthesias in corresponding dermatome and myotome regions; (E) communicating with the patient to determine which dermatome and myotome regions are experiencing paresthesias; (F) positioning said electrode catheter within said epidural region to stimulate said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord associated with the particular dermatome and myotome regions to be provided analgesia through continued communication with the patient as to which dermatome and myotome regions are experiencing paresthesias; (F) providing analgesia to said particular dermatome and myotome regions by simultaneous application of electrical stimulation and infusion of analgesic medication to said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord.
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2. A method for treatment of acute pain in a patient by providing analgesia to at least three contiguous dermatome and myotome regions by the combined application of electrical stimulation and infused medication to the nerve fibers and portion of the spinal cord associated with said dermatome and myotome regions, comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing an electrode catheter adapted for insertion into the epidural region of the spinal cord having both conduit means to deliver analgesic medications and a plurality of electrical leads capable of providing electrical stimulation to nerve fibers and a portion of the spinal cord over a longitudinal distance sufficient to stimulate the nerve fibers corresponding to at least three dermatome and myotome regions; (B) providing means to insert said electrode catheter percutaneously into the epidural region of the spinal cord adjacent to said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord; (C) inserting said electrode catheter into said epidural region without the aid of fluoroscopy; (D) activating said electrical stimulation to stimulate said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord to create paresthesias in corresponding dermatome and myotome regions; (E) communicating with the patient to determine which dermatome and myotome regions are experiencing paresthesias; (F) positioning said electrode catheter within said epidural region to stimulate said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord associated with the particular dermatome and myotome regions to be provided analgesia through continued communication with the patient as to which dermatome and myotome regions are experiencing paresthesias; (F) providing analgesia to said particular dermatome and myotome regions by simultaneous application of electrical stimulation and infusion of analgesic medication to said nerve fibers and said portion of the spinal cord.
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Specification