Method and apparatus for optimum positioning of a muscle stimulating implant
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A stimulation electrode placement determination method for determining an optimum muscle tissue insertion location for a stimulation electrode, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a test probe to establish electrical contact with a selected portion of muscle tissue to be stimulated;
connecting a conductive lead wire to the test probe;
for several locations, imposing a threshold-measuring electric current on the test probe through the conductive lead wire to stimulate the muscle tissue;
for each of the locations, producing a threshold current measurement at which the muscle tissue reacts to the stimulation;
determining among the several locations, one which has an optimum muscular threshold reaction, and identifying it as the optimum location for permanent stimulation electrode implantation; and
cutting the conductor wire leading to the test probe and inserting a stimulation electrode into the muscle tissue at the determined optimum location.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the optimum location for implanting a muscle stimulating electrode. A test probe is provided for producing an electric current at various muscle tissue locations to determine comparative threshold measurements of the selected muscle tissue locations and determine the optimum location for implanting the muscle stimulating electrode.
66 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A stimulation electrode placement determination method for determining an optimum muscle tissue insertion location for a stimulation electrode, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a test probe to establish electrical contact with a selected portion of muscle tissue to be stimulated; connecting a conductive lead wire to the test probe; for several locations, imposing a threshold-measuring electric current on the test probe through the conductive lead wire to stimulate the muscle tissue; for each of the locations, producing a threshold current measurement at which the muscle tissue reacts to the stimulation; determining among the several locations, one which has an optimum muscular threshold reaction, and identifying it as the optimum location for permanent stimulation electrode implantation; and cutting the conductor wire leading to the test probe and inserting a stimulation electrode into the muscle tissue at the determined optimum location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A stimulation electrode placement determination arrangement for determining an optimum muscle tissue insertion location for a stimulation electrode comprising:
-
a stimulation electrode; a test probe to establish electrical contact with a selected portion of muscle tissue to be stimulated; a conductive lead wire connected to the test probe; means for imposing a threshold-measuring electric current on the test probe through the conductive lead wire to stimulate the muscle tissue at several locations; and means for producing a threshold current measurement through the conductive lead wire at which the muscle tissue reacts to the stimulation at each of the locations; and a suture of absorbable material coupled between the test probe and the stimulation electrode wherein an implanter can determine among the several locations, one which has an optimum muscular threshold reaction, and identify it as the optimum location for permanent stimulation electrode implantation. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A stimulation apparatus comprising:
-
a stimulation electrode; a test probe coupled to the stimulation electrode; and a conductive lead electrically coupled to the test probe; and a suture of absorbable material coupled between the test probe and the stimulation electrode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An apparatus for optimum positioning of a muscle stimulating implant comprising:
-
a stimulation electrode; a test probe coupled to the stimulation electrode by a suture; and a conductive lead electrically coupled to the test probe. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification