Method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction
First Claim
1. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment to a plurality of nerve locations, the device comprising:
- a radio frequency energy source having an RF output;
a plurality of electrode outputs operably coupled to the RF output, wherein each of the electrode outputs is separately and individually connectable through an electrical conductor to at least one of a plurality of probes;
a user interface for selecting a user-settable temperature associated with any of the electrode outputs; and
feedback control circuitry to individually regulate energy delivery from the radio frequency energy source to each of the plurality of electrode outputs, so as to simultaneously maintain the user-settable temperature associated with each of the electrode outputs for electrode tips on probes connected to said electrode outputs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for diagnosing and treating neural dysfunction is disclosed. This device has the capability of delivering the therapeutic electrical energy to more than one treatment electrode simultaneously. In another exemplary embodiment, this device can perform EMG testing both before and after the therapeutic energy has been delivered, to assess whether the target nerve was successfully treated. In another embodiment, the device has the capability to record and store sensory stimulation thresholds both before and after treatment is described, which allows the clinician to accurately determine whether the target nerve has been desensitized. Energy control may achieved by simultaneously comparing the tip temperature of each treatment electrode to a set temperature selected by the operator, and regulating the therapeutic energy output to maintain the set temperature. In another embodiment, EMG, stimulation thresholds, and graphs of temperature versus time can be conveniently displayed on a two-dimensional graphics display.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A device for use in delivering therapeutic treatment to a plurality of nerve locations, the device comprising:
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a radio frequency energy source having an RF output; a plurality of electrode outputs operably coupled to the RF output, wherein each of the electrode outputs is separately and individually connectable through an electrical conductor to at least one of a plurality of probes; a user interface for selecting a user-settable temperature associated with any of the electrode outputs; and feedback control circuitry to individually regulate energy delivery from the radio frequency energy source to each of the plurality of electrode outputs, so as to simultaneously maintain the user-settable temperature associated with each of the electrode outputs for electrode tips on probes connected to said electrode outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for use in delivering therapeutic treatment to a plurality of nerve locations, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency energy source having an RF output; a plurality of separate probes which are not connected to one another, each having a temperature sensor and an electrode tip, the temperature sensor arranged in the probes so as to provide information regarding temperature of an electrode tip; a plurality of electrode outputs coupled to the RF output, wherein each of the electrode outputs is adapted to receive temperature information from and provide radio frequency energy to one of the probes; and feedback control circuitry to individually regulate energy delivery from the radio frequency energy source to each of the plurality of probes, so as to simultaneously maintain the temperature reported by the temperature sensor of each of the probes. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification