Interactive system and method for peripheral nerve mapping and blocking
First Claim
1. A system for providing nerve mapping, the system comprising:
- a processor;
a pulse generator coupled to the processor;
a conductive needle having a first end adapted for insertion into tissue and a second end coupled to a first terminal of the pulse generator;
a switch having an input, a control input and a plurality of outputs, the input being coupled to a second terminal of the pulse generator and the control input being coupled to the processor; and
a plurality of electrodes arranged into a ring defining a bounded area and each being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of outputs of the switch, wherein the control input is adapted to receive a plurality of control signals from the processor for selectively coupling the second terminal of the pulse generator to one of the plurality of electrodes, and wherein at least one pulse is applied to the first end of the needle while the conductive needle is positioned in the bounded area to form a communication relationship between the first end of the needle and at least one of the plurality of electrodes for exciting a nerve located in the bounded area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing nerve mapping in human patients, which includes a processor coupled to a pulse generator and to a multi-position switch. The system further includes a conductive needle having a first end adapted for insertion into tissue and a second end coupled to a negative terminal of the pulse generator. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the skin of the patient in a ring arrangement for defining a bounded area. Each electrode is selectively coupled to a positive terminal of the pulse generator, via the multi-position switch. In this arrangement, at least one pulse can be applied to the first end of the conductive needle while the conductive needle is positioned in the bounded area to form a communication relationship between the first end of the conductive needle and at least one of the plurality of electrodes for exciting a nerve located in the bounded area.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for providing nerve mapping, the system comprising:
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a processor; a pulse generator coupled to the processor; a conductive needle having a first end adapted for insertion into tissue and a second end coupled to a first terminal of the pulse generator; a switch having an input, a control input and a plurality of outputs, the input being coupled to a second terminal of the pulse generator and the control input being coupled to the processor; and a plurality of electrodes arranged into a ring defining a bounded area and each being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of outputs of the switch, wherein the control input is adapted to receive a plurality of control signals from the processor for selectively coupling the second terminal of the pulse generator to one of the plurality of electrodes, and wherein at least one pulse is applied to the first end of the needle while the conductive needle is positioned in the bounded area to form a communication relationship between the first end of the needle and at least one of the plurality of electrodes for exciting a nerve located in the bounded area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing nerve mapping, the method comprising:
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(a) applying at least one pulse to a first end of a conductive needle while positioning the conductive needle at a predetermined position in a region of tissue bounded by a plurality of electrodes for forming a communication relationship between the first end of the conductive needle and at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes to excite a predetermined nerve located in the region of the tissue bounded by the plurality of electrodes; and (b) measuring at least one actual muscle contraction between the first end of the needle and the at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes in response to excitation of the predetermined nerve. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for nerve mapping comprising:
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a. arranging a plurality of electrodes to form a bounded region on a surface; b. positioning a conductive needle within the bounded region; c. providing a first conductive path between the conductive needle and a first one of the plurality of electrodes; d. applying at least one electrical pulse to the bounded region through the conductive needle; and e. measuring a first nerve response through the first conductive path; f. providing a second conductive path between the conductive needle and a second one of the plurality of electrodes; g. applying an additional at least one electrical pulse to the bounded region through the conductive needle; and h. measuring a second nerve response through the second conductive path. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification