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Non-invasive, peripheral nerve mapping device and method of use

  • US 5,560,372 A
  • Filed: 02/02/1994
  • Issued: 10/01/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A non-invasive, peripheral nerve mapping device comprising:

  • means for sampling a plurality of electrical conductance sites, said sampling means comprising a sampling electrode having an array of a plurality of sub-electrodes, each sub-electrode comprising an absorbent tip having a surface area of approximately 3-20 square millimeters, each sub-electrode being mounted on movable pistons;

    guide tube means mounted to said device, said pistons being movable through said guide tube means, each of said sampling electrodes being in electrical contact with each of said guide tube means;

    reference electrode means comprising a standard silver-silver chloride electrocardiographic electrode;

    a square wave constant current source with an adjustable frequency output and an adjustable amplitude output;

    a multiplexer having an output, said multiplexer output being serially multiplexed to said array of plurality of sub-electrodes;

    an array of light emitting diodes to display conductivity measurements;

    wherein a current from said constant current source is selectively conveyed by said multiplexer to said sub-electrodes across the skin of a patient, with a corresponding voltage difference between each of the sub-electrodes and the reference electrode being measured as the current is conveyed to said sub-electrodes and displayed by said array of light emitting diodes, the displayed voltage difference being indicative of a local electrical conductance of said intact skin.

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