Apparatus and method for analyzing nerve conduction
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sensing the amplitude of a signal traveling through a body, comprising:
- an excitation device operatively engageable with the body, the excitation device generating the signal that travels along a nerve in the body;
sensing electrode operatively engagable with the body under a pressure downstream of the excitation device for sensing the signal generated by the excitation device and traveling along the nerve in the body;
a pressure mounting structure operatively connected to the sensing electrode for controlling the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body;
a pressure sensor disposed adjacent the sensing electrode, the pressure sensor generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body; and
a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor for receiving the pressure signal and to the sensing electrode for receiving the signal sensed by the sensing electrode and performing the step of;
determining a pressure normalization ratio in response to the pressure signal acquired from the pressure sensor; and
normalizing the acquired signal from the sensing electrode based on the pressure normalization ratio.
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Abstract
An apparatus for and method of conducting a nerve conduction study is provided. In response to predetermined stimulation from an excitation device, a signal is generated that travels through a human body. The apparatus includes a sensing electrode operatively engagable with the human body downstream of the excitation device for sensing the signal. The apparatus further includes a pressure mounting structure operatively connected to the sensing electrode for controlling the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body. The pressure mounting structure includes a pressure source and a pressure sensor. A controller receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor and the signal from the sensor electrode. The controller includes software to normalize the amplitude of the signal based on the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body.
15 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing the amplitude of a signal traveling through a body, comprising:
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an excitation device operatively engageable with the body, the excitation device generating the signal that travels along a nerve in the body; sensing electrode operatively engagable with the body under a pressure downstream of the excitation device for sensing the signal generated by the excitation device and traveling along the nerve in the body; a pressure mounting structure operatively connected to the sensing electrode for controlling the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body; a pressure sensor disposed adjacent the sensing electrode, the pressure sensor generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body; and a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor for receiving the pressure signal and to the sensing electrode for receiving the signal sensed by the sensing electrode and performing the step of; determining a pressure normalization ratio in response to the pressure signal acquired from the pressure sensor; and normalizing the acquired signal from the sensing electrode based on the pressure normalization ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for sensing a signal traveling through a body, comprising:
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an excitation source operatively engageable with the body, the excitation source generating the signal that travels along a nerve in the body; a sensing electrode operatively engagable with the body downstream of the excitation source for sensing the signal generated by the excitation source and traveling along the nerve in the body; a pressure source configured to provide a pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body; a pressure sensor coupled between the pressure source and the sensing electrode, the pressure sensor generating a pressure signal representative of the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body; and a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor and to the sensing electrode, the controller; acquiring the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and the signal from the sensing electrode; determining a pressure normalization ratio in response to the pressure signal; and normalizing the signal from the sensing electrode based on the pressure normalization ratio. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for sensing a signal traveling through a body, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating the signal with an excitation device such that the signal travels along a nerve in the body; positioning a sensing electrode on the body; exerting a pressure on the sensing electrode against the body; receiving the signal traveling along the nerve in the body with the sensing electrode; generating a pressure signal representative of the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body; determining a pressure normalization ratio in response to pressure signal; and normalizing the signal received by the sensing electrode in response to the pressure normalization ratio. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification